Top Herbal Alternatives to Coffee and Energy Drinks

Many of us rely on coffee and energy drinks for that needed caffeine intake in the morning. There's nothing wrong with that - especially if it helps us get that buzz to get the work done. The thing is, drinking too much coffee and energy drinks can indeed cause some nasty side effects. The most prominent ones include nausea, headaches, giddiness, restlessness, and even anxiety.

It's no secret that caffeine is responsible for the majority of these symptoms. But it's also the vital compound that keeps us awake and focused when we drink the drinks mentioned above. Having that in mind, there are ways that can help you enjoy more your caffeine intake. Indeed, there are herbal alternatives to these drinks that offer less nasty side effects and bonus health benefits.

In this article, we are going to be talking about those alternatives. Let's dig right into it!

Technically speaking, guayusa, while oftentimes referred to as a type of tea, isn't actually a tea. It is a plant species named Camellia Sinensis, and it comes from the same family as the more famous Yerba Maté. The leaves of this plant are caffeinated, and hence can be brewed the same way tea. It also has caffeine, it's also brewed, so why is this alternative better for you than coffee? 

Well, there are plenty of reasons, all of them based on the fact that you experience way fewer side effects. As Dariush Sayyah, a specialist on Guayusa Tea from Athletes Brew, explains that the equivalent of caffeine consumed from Guayusa results in a 6-7 times smaller adrenal response than if you were to drink coffee. Since adrenal response causes anxiety and jitters, it's no wonder that drinking coffee induces these side effects more. Another attribute of Guaysa is that it has high levels of polyphenols. This is the reason why the absorption of caffeine is way slower. Caffeine is going to be released into the bloodstream over a while, not all at once as with coffee and energy drinks. 

Not to mention the fact that Guayusa has a high concentration of antioxidants and other compounds that boost your health!

Matcha has gained a lot of popularity worldwide through the years, and for many good reasons! Many people know that matcha is a type of Japanese green tea, but what is it exactly? Contrary to regular green tea, it is made out of the whole leaf. This results in a higher concentration of caffeine but some other useful compounds as well.

Matcha can be found in a large variety of caffeine content. This is a result of many aspects, such as the freshness of the ground leaves and the brewing temperature. In general, it does have a higher content of caffeine than regular coffee. It also has a minimal amount of calories, which isn't true for all those energy drinks. When it comes to taste, many people describe matcha as earthy and fresh. It does have a specific aroma that isn't all that comparable with coffee. 

Matcha is a better option than an energy drink, but why is matcha better for you than coffee? They both share a huge amount of antioxidants and many health benefits. The main reason, as with Guayusa, lies in the way in which caffeine is absorbed by the body. As we've explained before, your body absorbs caffeine very rapidly after you drink coffee. To be more precise, it absorbs up to 99% of its caffeine in under 15 minutes after you drink it. On the other hand, matcha ensures that your body absorbs caffeine at a slower rate due to its chemical composition.

Another reason why matcha beats coffee is for the fact that it contains L-theanine. This is an amino acid that additionally reduces stress. After you drink matcha, you will reach peak concentration levels of L-theanine in around 30 minutes.

Chai is a spiced tea that is an ancient Indian drink. It combines cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, and black pepper with black tea. This combination of spices results in a wonderful brew with various layers of taste notes. Now, while it is undoubtedly tasty, there are a lot of benefits to drinking it. Many would argue that drinking chai tea is a way better alternative to drinking coffee and energy drinks - and for good reasons. 

Unlike the other two previously discussed drinks, chai has less caffeine than coffee. This makes it a perfect choice for those that are looking to cut their caffeine intake. Other than caffeine, all the spices present in chai ensure a considerable number of health benefits. Let's talk about cinnamon for a bit. Some studies have shown that Chai tea can lower your blood pressure. Not only that, but it also helps reduce the levels of cholesterol! There is also evidence that drinking three or more cups of black tea per day is linked to an 11% lower risk of heart disease. 

Kombucha is a drink that has existed for thousands of years, but it has started gaining more popularity in the past few years. A basic kombucha is made from yeast, sugar, and black tea. Many variations exist to infuse different aromas, but these ingredients are vital. During a week or more, fermentation occurs. This process produces SCOBY, which is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Now hang in there - it might sound gross, but these are good bacteria, and they have many health benefits! 

First of all, let's address caffeine. Of course, since it's made from black tea - kombucha does indeed have caffeine. The concentration of it is lower than when it comes to coffee, though! Now, let's talk about those health benefits. The most prominent ways in which kombucha benefits your health is based on SCOBY. SCOBY helps boost your digestion and maintain healthy bacterial flora in your gut. It also helps your body to get rid of toxins as it is full of antioxidants. The components in kombucha also boost your immune system in general and can even help you lose weight!  

Ultimately, there is no reason for you not to at least try these delicious herbal alternatives. All of the drinks that we have talked about are better for your overall well-being than coffee and energy drinks. People may be creatures of habit, but it is up to us to ensure that those habits are good for us!