Break free from the uneven highs and lows of coffee
There’s something sacred about the morning coffee ritual and asking one to give that up might be considered blasphemous. However, that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re asking you to do the unthinkable- give up coffee, or, cut down on it. By the end of this article you will understand why we’re asking you to take what seems like an extreme step to you.
To begin with, the long term effects of caffeine consumption are lethal. Yes, your daily coffee routine might slowly be killing you! The truth is that although coffee has a positive impact on your mood and effectiveness in the short-term, it causes long term damage to you.
How does this happen? Well, coffee triggers acidity and inflammation. And, as well all know, the common cause of most chronic diseases is inflammation. So, basically, with every cup of joe you increase your chances of developing a disease.
Short- & Long-Term Effects of Coffee:
- Insulin resistance and inflammation
- Acid Reflux and heartburn
- Raises bad cholesterol levels
- Increases the risk of hypertension
- Reduces fertility in women
- Bad for bone health and could lead to osteoporosis in women
- Worsens menopause symptoms
- Lowers sex drive in men
- Inhibits vitamin and mineral absorption
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid aka GABA is a neurotransmitter which functions to regulate mood. Coffee inhibits the release of GABA causing anxiety and stress.
- Causes insomnia, nausea and jitteriness
- It boosts the release of stress hormones causing anxiety and even depression
- Damages the Kidneys
Scary, right? But that’s not all, in addition to all of this, coffee works like a drug, where the initial euphoria is followed by a downward spiral- as the effects of the coffee begin to wear off you start experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms such as lower energy, lesser clarity, mood swings and even headaches. And, this makes you reach for your next fix of caffeine. The vicious circle continues causing a caffeine dependency problem.
What you should consider before sipping on morning cup of joe.
Your body’s production of a hormone called cortisol is maximum between 8 am to 9 am every morning. This hormone wakes you up and makes you alert naturally. So, having coffee at this time (which is what most of us do) is actually making you more tolerant to coffee and will eventually lead you to increase your daily intake.
Don’t be a slave to this legal drug. There are healthier options that can wake you up, reenergize your senses and help build your immune system.
Here are the top 5 alternatives that will EMPOWER you in a more wholesome way:
Yerba Mate
Rise and shine… and keep shining all day long!
Yerba Mate, or Mate as it is commonly known, is a drink that is made from the leaves of a type of tree belonging to the Holly family. It is a traditional South American beverage, rich in antioxidants that work to strengthen the immune system. What makes Mate the perfect substitute for coffee is that it contains caffeine. The caffeine content though is much lesser than that of coffee. Which means, it gives you an energy boost without that jittery feeling that you tend to experience on coffee. Needless to say, it helps you focus better. What’s more, it’s not acidic so it does not play havoc with the digestive process. It contains tannins, like tea, that add to its flavour however these are lesser than what is found in tea hence do not inhibit the absorption of iron. And the presence of xanthines in the Mate provide a boost to the metabolism making this the perfect morning cuppa.
Note- The male plant contains more caffeine than the female plant so choose your pack of Mate as per the caffeine content you desire.
Maca Tea
The energy drink that the athletes turn to for endurance and stamina.
Maca is a herb plant found in Peru. It is known as the ‘Peruvian ginseng’ due to its medicinal properties. An energy booster, this root helps improve mental alertness. Also, its almost magical effect on the libido in both women and men make this drink a ‘superfood’. It increases fertility and, over a period of time, it helps you get rid of chronic anxiety and stress. It is a rich source of vitamins B, C, and E. Maca herbal tea effectively balances hormonal activity leading to a more regular ovulation cycle in women.
Note- Best to mix this with your smoothie as adding it to hot water may weaken its beneficial properties.
Matcha Green Tea
Green goodness.
Matcha is a form of powdered green tea. It’s full of antioxidants called polyphenols, which protect against heart disease and reverse signs of ageing. It contains the cancer fighting agents called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and l-theanine, which helps calm the nerves. The caffeine content of matcha is not as high as coffee but is more than other green teas as the entire leaves are consumed in this powdered form as opposed to steeped tea. It is widely used for boosting metabolism and beating inflammation.
Note- Since Matcha contains some amount of caffeine (though lesser than coffee) have it at least six hours before you ooze into your Long-term snooze.
Rooibos Tea
Mineral magic.
Rooibos is a plant native to South Africa. The leaves of this bush like plant are used for making herbal tea. Drinking Rooibos helps the body fight cell-damaging free radicals as it’s rich in the antioxidants called polyphenols: aspalathin and nothofagin. It is also a powerful anti-carcinogenic due to the presence of flavanones, flavones, and flavanols. And, this awesome plant is also rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Owing to its high mineral content, and because it helps in the absorption of iron, this is the drink one should have to build bone health and stronger teeth. To add to all of this, Rooibos tea is anti-inflammatory and helps soothe the stomach.
Note- Rooibos does not contain caffeine so you can sip on this tea as often as you like.
Ginseng Tea
A potent punch.
The healing nature of Ginseng is responsible for its widespread popularity. It is a natural immunity and energy booster. It plays the role of an aphrodisiac and is used for treating erectile dysfunction. The amazing benefits of this herb don’t end there, it helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Also, like most of the beverages on this list, it’s a brainpower stimulant that improves concentration and other cognitive functions.
Note- To get maximum benefit use this infusion with lukewarm water as boiling hot water may reduce its effectivity.
In addition to the teas we have mentioned above you could also add this ‘life-changing’ food to your daily routine.
Another healthy substitute that you could begin your day with is coconut oil. It stimulates metabolism, is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Not only that, coconut oil is an energiser as it is made up of medium-chain saturated fatty acids which are converted into energy on consumption.
Have spoonful or blend it with your smoothie to kickstart your day and to keep you going.
Finally, what you need to do to kick the coffee habit:
If you’ve been having a cup of coffee or more every day for a while (6 months and above) then it will not be easy for you to go cold turkey as you are likely to face withdrawal symptoms. Instead, slowly wean off it by reducing your daily intake and substituting it with the awesome alternatives we’ve shared with you.
Lastly, and most importantly, make sure that all the alternatives that you use are organic, trusted brands otherwise the pesticides in them will do more harm than good.
Now, go on, and give these fabulous drinks a try already! Here’s to a new and empowered beginning…
References-
http://www.healthambition.com/negative-effects-of-coffee/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/241852-benefits-of-drinking-dandelion-tea/
http://www.themacateam.com/maca-for-energy
http://www.themacateam.com/maca-for-fertility
http://www.themacateam.com/maca-benefits
http://news.health.com/2015/03/27/what-is-matcha/
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7134/8-reasons-to-drink-dandelion-root-tea.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262982.php
http://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2012/05/12/7-foods-that-are-actually-damaging-your-kidneys/
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