If you’re like most people, you probably rely on your morning cup of Joe to start the day on a high note. It’s also true that, over time, your go-to hot beverage can become rather boring.
Perhaps you’re getting caffeine-associated symptoms such as headaches, jitters, and digestive distress, or you’re simply choosing to cut back on caffeine for whatever reason. Maybe you just need to experiment with something different rather than your go-to coffee with cream and sugar.
Benefits of Coffee
Apart from its delicious flavor and energizing effects, coffee is among the most popular beverages around the world due to its many benefits. An incredibly made cup of coffee is packed with a range of beneficial compounds like caffeine, antioxidants, and minerals that can help to improve overall health.
Coffee can boost energy levels, improve mood, and increase alertness and focus. While some take it to promote weight loss, it can also help to protect against certain chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, coffee can help to improve physical performance, aiding in endurance and strength exercise.
5 Awesome Alternatives to Regular Coffee
Whether it’s the jitters you’re worried about or you no longer find the same ol’ cup of joe exciting anymore, here are five alternatives to your regular coffee that you should try, and why you should consider it.
Matcha Latte
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves. It is packed with antioxidants and has a slightly sweet taste. When added to hot water, it makes a delicious and energizing latte.
Matcha is known for its rich flavor and health benefits, including the ability to help boost energy, reduce stress and improve concentration. It is also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it a great choice for those looking for a nutritious and tasty beverage.
Chicory Coffee
Chicory coffee is an herbal drink made by roasting and grinding the roots of the chicory plants, then mixing them with hot water to make a tea-like beverage with a strong, earthy flavor plus hints of chocolate and caramel. Chicory coffee comes with several lucrative benefits, which should be convincing enough for you to try it.
For instance, it is a caffeine-free alternative to regular coffee, making it a great choice for those who are sensitive to caffeine. Chicory coffee is also high in beneficial antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
Moreover, it is a good source of dietary fiber, meaning that it can help in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Finally, chicory coffee is low in calories and fat, making it an ideal drink for those looking to lose weight.
Protein Iced Coffee
If you’re anything close to a coffee aficionado, you’ve probably tried serving your tasteful brew over ice. It’s a great way to get a cool and refreshing boost of energy on a hot summer day. To make it even healthier and more delicious, you can toss in some whey protein powder when brewing as described in a protein iced coffee recipe from Cellucor.
Protein iced coffee can be a great way to increase your protein intake and curb hunger pangs, which is crucial if you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight.
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant. It has a unique flavor and contains more caffeine than regular coffee. Like high-caffeine coffee, Yerba mate is also known to have numerous health benefits, including improved mental clarity and alertness, enhanced physical performance and endurance, and improved digestion.
The healthy and energizing drink is also thought to help with digestion, and may even help fight certain cancers.
Dandelion Coffee
Dandelion coffee is a caffeine-free alternative to regular coffee made with roasted dandelion root. It has a slightly bitter taste and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Dandelion coffee is naturally caffeine-free and contains high levels of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that is beneficial for gut health. It also contains several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.