Matcha
Matcha, powdered green tea, can be a great substitute for coffee and is especially suitable for those who get too stressed. “In addition to caffeine, matcha contains L-theanine, which relaxes the brain without causing drowsiness. Recent studies have shown that L-theanine has a positive effect on perception and mood,” nutritionists report. In addition, matcha contains healthy fiber.
Matcha green tea
"Golden" milk
Although golden milk is usually drunk in the evening, some nutritionists believe that it helps maintain energy throughout the day as well as coffee. Warm milk with ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper is a traditional Indian drink. You can also add honey and vanilla. All of these spices have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies have shown that 500 mg of curcumin can have the same effect as 50 mg of an arthritis medication. Also, “golden” milk improves memory and strengthens bones.
"Golden" milk
Blooming Sally
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Adherents of a healthy lifestyle have long been drinking fireweed tea instead of regular tea. Despite the deceptive name, the plant has nothing to do with classic tea. The drink is marked by the presence of biologically active substances that enhance immunity. The optimal temperature for brewing is 90-95 degrees. The tea is infused for 10-15 minutes.
Mate
Yerba Mate is a South American drink made from the leaves and branches of the plant of the same name. For centuries, people in this region drank this tea instead of coffee. Mate, like chocolate, contains a natural stimulant called theobromine. It helps maintain energy throughout the day. In addition, nutritionists say that yerba mate tea lowers blood pressure and prevents heart disease.
Mate
Coffee or cocoa? What is better and what is more useful?
How does the morning begin? On this issue, people are divided into three opposing camps: lovers of aromatic coffee, connoisseurs of delicious tea and adherents of healthy cocoa. Each of these drinks can rightfully occupy its leading position in the life of every individual. After all, some people prefer to recharge themselves with vivacity and energy for the whole day with a cup of aromatic coffee in the morning, while others believe that coffee is harmful to health and prefer cocoa. Well, tea lovers stand on a separate flank, and it’s better not to argue with them. But let's finally figure out what is better and healthier for our health, coffee or cocoa? Not long ago we looked at the facts about the benefits of natural, freshly ground coffee. Some may argue with these facts. However, there is no point in denying them completely.
What are the benefits of coffee?
Our ancient ancestors started drinking coffee. One of the legends says that a shepherd grazing goats noticed that after eating coffee beans, the goats behaved too cheerfully and actively. Since then, coffee has been considered one of the best invigorating and tonic drinks. It’s no longer a secret that coffee owes its effect to caffeine. It is this substance that has a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, improving performance, and with it, increasing blood pressure.
For MODERATE coffee consumption:
attention and performance improves;
the risk of depression is reduced;
acceleration of metabolism and, as a result, getting rid of excess weight (provided you drink natural coffee without adding cream, sugar, syrups. Otherwise, on the contrary, you can gain a couple of extra pounds);
the secretory functions of the stomach improve;
reduces the risk of liver cirrhosis.
However, do not forget about contraindications. People suffering from arrhythmia, tachycardia and coronary heart disease should avoid coffee. In addition, people suffering from diabetes should use this drink with caution, because caffeine increases cholesterol levels and can also be addictive.
Thus, we can conclude that drinking natural coffee in its pure form, but not more than 2-3 cups per day, will have a rather positive effect on the body.
What are the benefits of cocoa?
Now let's talk a little about cocoa. As you know, cocoa is a storehouse of useful vitamins and microelements. It contains folic acid, zinc, iron, and also a rather rare component - phenylethylamine, which in turn is an amazing antidepressant. In addition, it contains a substance such as melanin, which protects us from exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays.
Among other things, cocoa is not prohibited from being consumed by people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Cocoa also helps remove lactic acid that accumulates in the muscles from the body. Are you suffering from a hangover? Cocoa will also help get rid of it in the shortest possible time.
However, it is worth remembering that cocoa is a fairly high-calorie product, and you should not abuse it. In addition, it is not advisable to consume cocoa for people suffering from kidney and liver diseases, since this drink contains a substance that can be deposited in the genitourinary system.
What can you say in conclusion? What is better, coffee or cocoa? There is no clear answer to this survey. These two drinks, although similar in some ways, are completely opposite in essence. And if you have no contraindications to drinking a particular drink, then the choice remains up to your taste preferences.
Green tea
Green tea has many beneficial properties and can serve as an alternative to coffee. “It is minimally processed and is the healthiest of all teas. Numerous studies have shown that people who drink green tea have a reduced risk of bladder, pancreatic, stomach and lung cancer. In addition, green tea helps fight type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The caffeine contained in this drink increases brain activity and improves metabolism,” doctors say. True, to extract the maximum beneficial properties from this drink, you need to drink 3-5 cups a day.
Green tea
What can you replace coffee with?
Sometimes, due to medical reasons, the consumption of coffee may be prohibited or it may not be available at the current time. In this case, the drink can be replaced with other products, which will be discussed below.
Black tea
For many years, tea has been known to the world. This should not come as a surprise, because it contains about 300 types of different substances and its benefits for the body have long been identified.
Theine, contained in large quantities in freshly brewed tea, has a positive effect on the brain. All its departments begin to work faster.
The feeling of fatigue disappears, the body feels cheerful and light. The vessels dilate, and the supply of oxygen to all cells is activated. The work of the heart becomes more active.
Black tea contains a large amount of minerals necessary for humans, such as calcium, manganese and fluorine. 4 cups of black tea per day will help provide the body with the necessary daily intake of these minerals.
Green tea
Many began to call the drink made from this plant “a pharmacy in a cup” for its beneficial properties and the presence of vitamins.
Green tea has a tonic effect due to the theine (caffeine) it contains. But the amount of this substance in it is greater than in coffee. However, theine is combined with tannin, making its effect softer and longer.
In the first 30 minutes after drinking the drink, the tonic effect is greatest, and then gradually decreases over 4-5 hours. At the same time, depression does not occur after an excited state caused by tea. In addition, it has other beneficial properties:
- The formation of conditioned reflexes in the body accelerates.
- The reaction speed increases due to the fact that information processing is accelerated and nerve impulses are sent by the brain.
- There is a tonic effect on the nervous system thanks to a whole complex set of various vitamins and microelements. In addition, tea helps improve memory and attention.
The energy boost from green tea affects not only the brain, but also the muscles. With the help of the drink, you can more easily endure heavy physical and nervous stress, which helps travelers, geologists and hunters.
Green tea retains a much higher amount of beneficial components compared to black, red and yellow teas due to the fact that it is not fermented during production.
Herbal teas
Herbal teas can also replace coffee, which have various similar effects: soothe, tone, have medicinal properties, and supply vitamins.
Herbal teas do not contain caffeine, which makes it possible to drink them even with high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. With the help of such teas it is easy to get rid of fatigue, restore strength and energy in the body.
There are several types of herbal teas:
- St. John's wort. Invigorates and can relieve mild depression.
- Tea made from Chinese lemongrass leaves. Improves performance and enhances attention.
- A mixture of sage and rosemary. It cannot be infused for a long time, as essential oils quickly evaporate from them.
- Tea with lemon balm. Will help relieve increased fatigue.
- A mixture of valerian root and motherwort herb. Helps get rid of depression and improves mood.
Cocoa
It contains a minimal amount of caffeine. In addition to its excellent chocolate taste, it has many more beneficial qualities. Microelements contained in it in large quantities (magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc) have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Cocoa also contains a lot of flavonoids, which have a positive effect on the skin and neutralize free radicals, which prevents cell death.
Barley coffee
Barley coffee tastes only vaguely like regular coffee, but it can easily replace it, because the healing properties of barley are at the highest level. It has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, heart, gallbladder, blood vessels, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory and tonic.
This coffee is recommended for those who have recently had surgery, as well as people after a nervous breakdown or severe stress. In addition, barley has virtually no contraindications for use.
This coffee is suitable for those who are undergoing therapy, undergoing rehabilitation after an illness, or are engaged in health improvement.
Ginger drink
Ginger root is often used for weight loss. It has a refreshing and invigorating taste. Tea with this plant is used for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases.
If you add lemon to it, it will become even healthier. The drink is consumed at any time of the day. In the morning it will help you wake up, and during the day it will give you a boost of energy. The large amount of vitamins contained in ginger will help strengthen the immune system during the cold season.
Chicory drink
The tonic effect that a drink from this plant has has a beneficial effect on all body systems.
It helps with hypertension - the functioning of the heart and blood vessels is normalized due to the presence of potassium and B vitamins. It acts as an antidepressant, relieving irritation and fatigue.
Chicory contains many vitamins and tannins. It has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and metabolism due to the inulin content in its composition. Soluble chicory has the same beneficial properties as fresh root, since it is not chemically treated during production.
Chicory is an ideal coffee substitute for women during pregnancy.
Chicory has a similar taste to coffee, but it does not contain caffeine. You can safely drink this drink before bed.
What drink do you consider the best coffee substitute?
Tea
Spicy drinks
Ginseng drink
Tea with the addition of ginseng was first drunk in China. It has long been known that this root has many beneficial properties. When drinking this drink, metabolic processes occurring in the body are stimulated, men restore their strength, and women receive an additional energy charge.
Tea made by infusing ginseng root in boiling water can invigorate you even better than strong coffee. However, it must be remembered that it is better not to drink such a decoction for people with heart disease.
If ginseng root is not commercially available, a tincture from a pharmacy made from this plant will do. You can also make a ginseng drink from it. It is prepared as follows: add a few drops of tincture to warm water or tea.
Tonic drinks
There are many different fruits and berries that act as energy drinks. Due to the high content of fruit acids, vitamins and microelements in these plants, drinks made from them are a powerful stimulant for the body. They do not contain caffeine at all, but the effect may be similar to that of coffee.
Apple juice with the addition of carrots is a very invigorating drink. It must be freshly squeezed, since store-bought juices lose most of their beneficial properties during production.
Celery, beets, cranberries, pomegranate, grapefruit and orange also have energy properties. Drinks made from these fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of vitamin C. Thanks to it, these drinks awaken the body, promote vigor, improve blood circulation and increase immunity.
Whey, which remains when milk is curdled, can also be a substitute for coffee. It invigorates and has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, improving digestion.
A drink made from dandelion roots will also be similar to coffee. To prepare it, you need to collect and dry the roots of the plant. They are then ground and prepared just like regular coffee.
Apple vinegar
Of course, you should not drink undiluted apple cider vinegar, but in a ratio of 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 250 ml of water, you can. The result is a caffeine-free drink made from fermented apples with the addition of acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Apple vinegar
What products can replace coffee?
What should you eat to lose weight? - this ironic question is known to everyone who has ever been on a diet. Let's ask differently: what can I eat to cheer myself up? Here is a small but proven list of products that can easily replace coffee in your diet.
Nuts
The product is unique in many ways, its benefits are so great that some biologists and geneticists of the past predicted the fate of “second bread” for them. It hasn’t worked out yet, but who knows what’s ahead of us. In the meantime, a handful of any nuts will help restore and maintain strength, activate brain function and even improve your mood. The champions in saturated fatty acids and other benefits are the most common walnuts.
Fresh red berries
They are rich in fruit acids and antioxidants, they tone and activate the body, normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In addition, red berries and their juice help combat excess free radicals, protecting cells from destruction. Raspberries, red currants, cherries - eat for your health. You can add pomegranate seeds to them. Don’t be upset if the berry season has passed; stocks prepared using the blast freezing method contain many useful substances.
Dark chocolate
It is not only the delight of those with a sweet tooth, but also a valuable source of vivacity and good mood. Under its influence, the brain releases an additional portion of endorphin - the hormone of happiness. Vigor, efficiency and good mood are guaranteed to you. The sugar contained in chocolate will help you better solve intellectual problems.
Apples
Yes, yes, a morning portion of apples is quite capable of competing with coffee in terms of invigorating effects. The fact is that this fruit contains a large amount of boron, which helps to concentrate on details, as well as quercetin. It helps the brain stimulate muscle fibers to work actively, so you are guaranteed a surge of energy after eating an apple.
Citrus
Orange, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine perfectly tone up due to the large amount of vitamins. Eating citrus fruits in the morning at breakfast is especially beneficial; the feeling of vigor will not leave you for a long time.
Modern scientists believe that it is healthier to consume fruits and berries in their natural form, rather than making fresh juices and smoothies from them.
Have you already tried replacing coffee with something else? Let's share our experience in the comments! Maybe we, avid and inveterate coffee lovers, will think about an alternative?
