Opting for something other than your hazelnut oat latte might seem like a laugh, but you’ll never know until you try!
If you’re struggling to make it through finals week, or simply trying to get through a brutal chem exam, you may need an energy boost when it comes to studying, grinding through the night, and getting to class on time.
This is where coffee may be your savior. Coffee is the true gift for the sleep-deprived, and honestly can seem like the only option sometimes . If you’re anything like me, you can’t imagine starting your morning without that (…necessary…) kick of energy.
You can take it black, iced, extra strong—drip, latte, cappuccino, americano, espresso. You can get it from your local deli, your favorite chain, or you can save a few and make it at home. At the end of the day, there’s no escaping the simple fact: coffee is everywhere.
In fact, studies show that, globally, coffee is the most commonly used drug. Considering the fast-paced society we live in and how coffee seems to mitigate fatigue, this isn’t a surprise. And it’s understandable—not only are many of us used to stress and exhaustion, but we may be entirely overwhelmed by the current pandemic situation.
However, as with anything good, there are downsides to coffee.
For instance, insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety are just a few. If you’re a chronic coffee-drinker and have noticed that your dependency is starting to get a wee bit out of hand, it might be time to consider alternatives. Lucky for you, these alternatives offer plenty of benefits which you may find are just as satisfying as coffee.
1. Matcha
Matcha, the powder that became a major trend in the last couple years, has several benefits. Because matcha is made from the entire tea leaf, it holds more caffeine than most teas. Compared to coffee, matcha contains only slightly less caffeine – so why is it such a great coffee alternative?
The reason that this alternative booster is such a game changer is due to how the matcha gets released into your body.
When you drink coffee, caffeine immediately goes to the bloodstream, resulting in an extreme insulin spike and eventual crash.
Meanwhile, matcha fills the body slowly, which prevents these extreme effects. In addition, matcha holds many benefits, such as providing loads of antioxidants, boosting metabolism, and lowering the risk of heart disease.
Consider trying matcha tea or making a matcha superfood recipe. You can even get creative and use matcha in your face-care routine—matcha comes in the form of face masks, facial scrubs, and bath bombs.
2. Green Tea
Similar to matcha, green tea contains caffeine, but does not cause the jittery effects that are associated with coffee.
Packed with antioxidants and dopamine-boosting amino acids, green tea has various health benefits such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and burning fat.
If you notice that your coffee intake leads you to have that midday slump (that certainly hinders studying, productivity, etc.), definitely consider switching to green tea. If you aren’t a tea-drinker, try out DIY green tea face masks or scrubs.
3. Coconut Water
Although it doesn’t contain caffeine, there’s scientific evidence that demonstrates that coconut water helps athletes’ performances. If you tend to utilize coffee prior to working out or playing sports, coconut water could be a great substitute.
Studies have shown that coconut water is equally sufficient as sports drinks at restoring hydration after exercise. In addition, compared to water or coffee, it is easier to drink plenty of coconut water without feeling nauseous—thus, it’s great for staying hydrated.
Other health benefits to this coffee alternative include reducing blood pressure, improving heart health, and fighting against diabetes.
4. Kombucha
If you want the benefits of tea but don’t actually enjoy tea, it’s time to try kombucha.
(Note: if you’re not one for flavor blasts, this may not be for you.)
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from a mix of green or black tea, yeast, and sugar. Not only does it provide the same advantages as tea, but it also aids in helping with digestion, weight loss, and blood pressure. Filled with antioxidants and probiotics, kombucha also helps burn fat, prevent heart disease, and lower cholesterol. Plus, (in my personal opinion) it’s super tasty!
So there you have it—there are, in fact, other options if you need to boost your energy. This isn’t to say that if you enjoy a cup of coffee, you need to quit (I’ll admit it, I’m sipping on cold brew right now). Coffee certainly has health benefits in addition to its disadvantages. But it’s great to know that you don’t have to be a victim to coffee’s harmful effects!
If you’re ready to take the plunge and get yourself out of your coffee cycle, it’s time to try one of the yummy coffee alternatives.
Author: Lydia Schapiro