Do you look forward to your first, steaming cup of coffee every morning? You may love the buzz it gives you but hate the slump that follows soon after. There are many reasons to consider switching from coffee to a healthier alternative. Fortunately, there are many options for you to consider that will keep you energized throughout the day while delivering fantastic health benefits.
1. Matcha Green Tea
Matcha green tea is an excellent coffee alternative that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s made by grinding whole green tea leaves into a fine powder. This is then dissolved in water to create the delicious drink. A single two-gram serving of matcha contains only 1/5th the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. But this is still enough to give you a good boost. Since the caffeine is released slowly into your body, it delivers long-lasting energy without the jittery feeling, slumps, or sleepless nights.
2. Prune Juice
The next time you have an intense craving for your morning cup of coffee, try prune juice instead. It has a thick consistency and a crisp taste that’s hugely satisfying. It also gives you a boost of energy and improves your stamina, thanks to its ability to regulate the electrolyte levels in your body. If you want a thinner, juice-like consistency, you could try diluting it with apple juice or water.
3. Coconut Water
Coconut water is a cloudy liquid that comes from young coconuts and is one of the healthiest drinks out there. It is growing in popularity fast, and many brands now offer packaged or flavored coconut water options. It is naturally sweet and packed full of bioactive enzymes. Coconut water also contains rehydrating electrolytes, which make it an excellent replacement for coffee and sugary sports drinks.
4. Yerba Mate
If you’ve ever traveled to Argentina or Brazil, you’ve probably come across yerba mate. It is an herbal drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, which have been picked and dried. These amino acid-rich leaves are steeped in hot water to make this energy boosting drink. The taste is surprisingly similar to brewed green tea leaves. Yerba mate delivers a coffee-like buzz, but with fewer jitters. It also improves focus and does not impact sleep quality negatively.
Coffee by itself is not unhealthy if consumed in moderation. But changing things up and trying a selection of alternative drinks can deliver surprising health benefits. The options mentioned in this article will give you a great energy boost without any adverse side effects. So go ahead and drink up!