Energizing Alternatives to Coffee

Coffee is the most popular drink on the planet, after water. It is estimated that 64% of Americans drink coffee regularly.

Finland is the world’s biggest consumer of coffee. The average Finn drinks nearly four cups of coffee a day. In fact, coffee is so popular in Finland that two 10-minute coffee breaks are legally mandated for Finnish workers.

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How much coffee is too much coffee?

Drinking coffee is healthy in moderation. Freshly grounded coffee has powerful antioxidants which can have many health benefits, together with a rich aroma that can stimulate the senses and act like an energy booster and mood enhancer.

The recommended amount of coffee is three to four cups, which means 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. For most healthy individuals, this amount is acceptable and not generally associated with negative effects. Especially people suffering from heart diseases should limit coffee, opt for caffeine-free options or other coffee substitutes.

If you cannot drink too much coffee or would like to diversify your options, the beverages on this list are worth trying. Bonus points: they are healthy too!

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Coffee variation: Mushroom Coffee

Elevate your morning routine with mushroom cofffee with Lion’s Mane and Chaga Mushrooms, which supports immunity and helps with focus and energy, productivity and creativity.

Organic Lion’s Mane is known as a natural nootropic with abilities to support focus, concentration and productivity. Known as the King of Mushrooms, Chaga has an abundance of antioxidant properties.

It’s best used when mixed in coconut oil or non-dairy milk.

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Other healthy coffee alternatives

 

Matcha Green Tea Powder

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Golden milk – This warm beverage incorporates invigorating spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper. Other common additions include cardamom, vanilla and honey.Besides giving your drink a beautiful golden color, turmeric may have powerful anti-inflammatory properties due to the potent chemical curcumin. black pepper increases your body’s ability to absorb curcumin.

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One of Yolanda Hadid’s favorites, you can prepare golden milk at home in about 5 minutes. Here’s how:

Mix 1 cup (237 ml) of milk or vegetable milk (like coconut, almond or other plant-based milk) with 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Optionally, sweeten it with honey. Add the mix into a saucepan and boil it on low to medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Pour the drink into your favorite mug and enjoy! This drink is especially good in the cold season, both for the immunity and to feel warm and cosy.

 

Yerba mate

Yerba mate is a naturally caffeinated herbal tea made from the dried leaves of the South American holly tree. It’s also loaded with antioxidants.

 

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Chai tea

Chai tea is a type of black tea blended with strong herbs and spices. Though it contains less caffeine (48 mg) than coffee, studies suggest that black tea may still improve mental alertness.

How to make chai tea latte at home:

To make chai tea latte, pour 1 cup (237 ml) of milk or plant-based milk (coconut milk, almond milk or other substitute) in a saucepan. Add 1 teaspoon cardamon spices, 1 cinnemon stick, 4 crushed cloves and 2 black peppercorns, and 1-inch slice of fresh ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil on low to medium heat, then remove it from the heat. Finally, add 2 black tea bags and infuse them for 10 minutes.

Pour the drink into your favorite mug and enjoy this warm drink especially in the cold season.

Or buy the mix on Amazon:

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Rooibos

Rooibos or red tea is a caffeine-free beverage that originates in South Africa. Unlike coffee and other teas, rooibos is a reddish-brown herbal infusion low in tannin antioxidants. Rooibos tea is good for relaxation, it can be consumed at night when you cannot sleep because it has no caffeine and the pleasant smell is good for stress relief.

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Kombucha

It is made by fermenting black tea with bacteria, yeast and sugar. Kombucha is fermented black tea that contains probiotics and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and has many health benefits.

 

Lemon water

Lemon water is a simple way to start your day hydrated and energized. It can also aid digestion, is an appetite-suppresant and helps prevent kidney stones.

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Green smoothie

It is high in antioxidants, green smoothies are typically the best way to eat your daily greens in an easy and sustainable way. All you need to do is put your greens (spinach, kale, broccoli, microgreens) into a blender, together with other fruits and vegetables of choice and create your perfect mix to kick-start your day with healthy habits. Green smoothies are great for morning energy, are rich in antioxidants, helps with digestion, clear your complexion, and many other health benefits. And they make the perfect breakfast for busy people!

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Vegetables and fruit juices

If you cannot blend or you want more variation, make a juice. Unlike smoothies, juices do not contain dietary fibre good for digestion and weight loss. Juices however can supply vitamins and minerals in a more concentrated form. Use juicing if you need a quick vitamin boost – for example, if you have a vitamin A deficiency, how many carrots can you eat? Juicing is a better alternative.