In our last blog post we shared the pros and cons of coffee. If you missed it, check it out here. In a nut shell, for most folks drinking coffee in moderation is quite healthy, but for some sensitive folks, it can result in some pretty extreme adverse reactions.
Weight gain: Caffeine in coffee can increase the level of your stress hormone cortisol, and elevated cortisol may cause weight gain.
Low energy: Caffeine stimulates the body’s adrenal system, which boosts energy for a short time but then crashes it to leave you fatigued.
Mineral deficiency: Caffeine affects iron absorption in your stomach. It also reduces your kidneys’ ability to store calcium, zinc, magnesium and other important minerals.
Disrupted sleep: Caffeine stays in your nervous system for 4–6 hours, so even if you feel fatigued when you go to bed, the caffeine can still disrupt your sleep. For individuals who are slow metabolizers of caffeine, caffeine can stay in their systems even longer. *
Whatever your motivation, there are lots of good reasons to give up coffee. Here are 8 alternatives to coffee that can help you get off of the “hard stuff”.
Teeccino
Teeccino is an herbal coffee that is steeped with health benefits. Because it’s made with organic herbs, it’s high in antioxidants, high in potassium, and even fiber! This coffee alternative contains Inulin from chicory and dandelion roots which is a prebiotic soluble fiber that helps restore your gut health by feeding your probiotics.
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink that’s said to have the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the joy of chocolate. Sounds pretty amazing, right?!
Yerba mate is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It does contain caffeine, but less than coffee does. This plant contains many beneficial properties such as xanthines which act as stimulants similar to that of caffeine and theobromine. It also contains antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory and cholesterol lowering properties. Lastly, it may even contain seven out of nine essential amino acids, in addition to nearly every vitamin and mineral your body needs. However because it contains miniscule amounts of these nutrients, it most likely won’t contribute to your nutrient requirements on it’s own. **
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea comes from the pesky weeds as we know it. You may think they’re pesky in your lawn, but they have incredible medicinal benefits for your body. Dandelion tea looks like coffee and has a similar bitter taste like coffee. However, it does not contain caffeine and has a whole host of health benefits ranging from detoxing your liver to good source of Vitamin A, K, and high in antioxidants. It’s also great for your bones, your skin and helps keep blood sugar levels low.
Dandy Blend
Bouncing off Dandelion Tea, Dandelion coffee such as Dandy Blend has a mildly sweet, rich flavor and is made with roasted dandelion root. It’s often blended with other ingredients, like barley rye, beets, and chicory root, all of which dissolve instantly in hot or cold liquid. It tastes very similar to coffee, but doesn’t leave you with energy drops! Note that it does contain rye and barley extracts which are gluten containing. If you’re on a gluten free diet, it’s best to avoid this product.
Matcha Tea or Matcha Latte
Whereas regular green tea is brewed, matcha tea is made with the powdered leaves themselves, giving you 10x the nutrients of a single serving of green tea! It's chock-full of antioxidants and, while it does contain caffeine, the L-theanine it contains prevents it from giving us the jitters coffee is known for. Here's a quick video about Matcha.
MUD/WTR
This coffee alternative offers organic ingredients such as cacao, masala chai, turmeric, and potent medicinal mushrooms such as Chaga, cordyceps, reishi, and lions mane. The geniuses behind the making of MUD\WTR™ look to these ingredients for their health and performance benefits. This coffee alternative features one-seventh of the caffeine of coffee and the “mud” gives you natural energy.
CRIO BRU
Crio Bru isn’t made with herbs or a grain, instead this coffee substitute is pure cacao! Chocolate lovers, you’re going to love this alternative. Imagine waking up to the aroma and flavor of roasted, ground 100% pure dark cacao made in your french press! Cacao is packed with nutrients, antioxidants and theobromine which is a cardiovascular stimulant - meaning it helps widen your arteries, get your blood flow pumping, it lifts your mood and improves focus. You’ll get the same caffeine effects without the jitters. Note that some people are sensitive to theobromine so always pay close attention to your body.
RASA Tea
Rasa coffee alternative is a tea made from adaptogenic herbs which promotes a natural and sustained energy level. Adaptogenic herbs are magical herbs that help your body adapt to stress - if you need a pick me up, they can do that. If you need something to calm you down, they can do that! They’re amazing and this tea contains these magical substances to help your body adapt to it’s environment.
Sources:
**https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-yerba-mate#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
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This blog post is for informational and educational purposes. It’s not meant to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone.
Always be sure to work with your healthcare practitioner before implementing new recommendations and/or supplements.
