Healthy Alternatives to Coffee
Ranked #1,675 in Healthy Living, #35,386 overall
My Search for a Healthy Stimulant
So what's it going to be Green Tea or Puer Tea or Yerba Mate or is there no real alternative to Coffee? Read this Lens to find out!
Finding the perfect beverage or pick me up is one of my real passions, but also important because I wake up feeling so lethargic, and waste so much time before I get into the zone!!
Leave your suggestions in the comments form below
Healthy Drinks or Pick-Me-Ups
- Raw Chocolate
- Raw Chocolate. Unsweetend. Incredible levels of antioxidants. Must be real chocolate.
- Yerba Mate
- Yerba Mate (tastes like dirt but you get used to it) South American herbal tonic, drunk as tea.
- Bee Pollen
- Bee bread is used in naturopathic medicine traditions and as a nutritional supplement, although exposure may trigger allergic or anaphylactic reactions in sensitive people.
- Siberian Ginseng
- Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
Claimed to
increase endurance
improve memory
- Bancha Twig Tea
- Bancha Twig Tea is a Japanese green tea
- Maca Maca
- Another real good one is Maca Maca from Peru.
It works on a lot of levels
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginkgo Biloba is mainly used as memory and concentration enhancer, and anti-vertigo agent
- Ashwaganda
- Ashwaganda, an Indian herb available at any health food store. It is a great tonic without giving you the jitters
- CoQ10
- CoQ10 - not so much for energy but it REALLY helps with brain function (by a 50 year old)
- Pepper Smoothie
- What I love to take in the morning is a smoothie made of fresh fruit with a generous amount of cayenne pepper. (takes getting used to)
- Barley Coffee Substitute
- Caro is made up of soluble solids of roasted barley, malted barley, chicory, and rye. It is most often available in health food shops, but can also be found in most major supermarkets. Add Honey, Milk, Sugar to taste.
I enjoy and look forward to drinking Caro - Healthy Energy Drink
- When I need something to really clear away the cobwebs then I turn to my Healthy Energy Drink. This contains extracts of Green Tea, Panax Ginseng,Stevia, a range of Vitamins. The kick comes from GUARANA. The taste of the drink which comes as powder takes a little getting used to
- Rooibos Tea
- Rooibos is becoming more popular in Western countries particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin, its lack of caffeine and its low tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves.[citation needed] "Green" rooibos (see above) has a higher antioxidant capacity than fully oxidised rooibos (source Wikipedia)
Tea & Coffee on CafePress
Yerba Tea
In the search for a natural stimulant without side effects and toxicity, Yerba Maté currently holds the most hope. Yerba Maté is an invigorator of the mind and body, a natural source of nutrition, and a health promoter. Yerba Maté deserves the attention of every person interested in optimum health.
Tea versus Coffee on eBay
Learn More About Healthy Drinks
Activities to Perk you Up
- Exercise
- Immediate exercise upon waking. Lots of breath and water and fresh foods.
- Showering
- I find having a hot shower in the morning followed by a few seconds of cold very invigorating!
- Fruit Breakfast
- Try a fresh raw fruit breakfast now and again
Tea & Coffee Voting (Plexo)
20,000 Secrets of Tea: The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature's Healing Herbs by Victoria Zak
Fight Colds and Flu <br /> Lower Cholesterol more...1 point
What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers by Andrew Dornenburg, Karen Page
The most comprehensive guide to matching food and more...0 points
The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss, Robert J. Heiss
Whether it's a delicate green tea from China or a more...0 points
How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark, Lora Arduser, Douglas R. Brown
The explosive growth of the coffee shops across th more...0 points
Home Coffee Roasting, Revised, Updated Edition: Romance and Revival by Kenneth Davids
In the past decade, coffee roasting has gone from more...0 points
Is Coffee Healthy or Not?
Everyday I read something different, Coffee is good for Altzheimers, bad for something else, good for another. My own gut feeling is too much can't be good. So that's why I'm searching for another drink to balance things out, one that I look forward to as much as I do Coffee!
Coffee Pros (Benefits)
Quoted from http://hubpages.com/hub/coffee-pros-cons
* 2. Parkinson's disease. Regular coffee drinking reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease. A number of studies [1],[2] have demonstrated that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are significantly less likely to develop Parkinson's disease.
* 3. Diabetes. Coffee drinking has the potential to protect against the development of type 2 diabetes. A prospective study[3] as part of the US Nurses Health Study found that moderate consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in younger and middle aged women.
* 4. Liver cirrhosis. Coffee drinking may protect against liver cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis.
* 5. Gallstones. There is some evidence [4] that coffee drinking may be protective against gallstone formation in both men and women.
* 6. Kidney stones. Coffee consumption lowers the risk of kidney stones formation. Coffee increases the urine volume, preventing the crystallization of calcium oxalate, the most common component of kidney stones.
* 7. Improved mental performance. Caffeine in coffee is a well-known stimulant. Coffee promotes alertness, attention and wakefulness. The cup of coffee can also increase information processing.
* 8. Alzheimer's disease. Regular coffee drinking may help to protect against Alzheimer's disease. Recent study [5] in mice showed that caffeine equivalent to 5 cups of coffee per day reduced the build up of destructive plaques in the brain.
* 9. Asthma. Caffeine in coffee is related to theophylline, an old asthma medication. Caffeine can open airways and improve asthma symptoms.
* 10. Caffeine safety. In 1958, caffeine was placed on the Food and Drug Administration's list as generally recognized as safe.
Coffee Cons (Disadvantages)
Quoted from http://hubpages.com/hub/coffee-pros-cons
On one hand, diterpenes cafestol and kahweol present in unfiltered coffee and caffeine each appear to increase risk of coronary heart disease. High quality studies [6] have confirmed the cholesterol-raising effect of diterpenes. Also, coffee consumption is associated with an increase of plasma homocysteine, a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
On the other hand, a lower risk of heart disease among moderate coffee drinkers might be due to antioxidants found in coffee.
* 2. Cholesterol. Heavy consumption of boiled coffee elevates blood total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels [7]. Unfiltered coffee contains two cholesterol-raising compounds cafestol and kahweol.
* 3. Blood vessels. Coffee negatively affects the blood vessel tone and function.
* 4. Heart rhythm disturbances. Coffee can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias).
* 5. Blood pressure. Although coffee drinking is not a significant risk factor for hypertension, it produces unfavorable effects on blood pressure [8] and people prone to hypertension may be more susceptible. Recent Italian study found that coffee drinking can slightly increase the risk for development of sustained hypertension in people with elevated blood pressure.
* 6. Osteoporosis. Coffee intake may induce an extra urinary excretion of calcium. Heavy coffee consumption (600 ml or more) can modestly increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially in women with a low calcium intake [9].
* 7. Heartburn. A cup of coffee can trigger the heartburn.
* 8. Sleep. Most are aware of the stimulatory effects of caffeine. High amounts of caffeine taken before going to sleep can cause difficulty falling asleep, tendency to be awakened more readily by sudden noises, and a decreased quality of sleep. However, some people can drink coffee and fall right asleep.
* 9. Dehydration. The caffeine in coffee is a mild diuretic and can increase urine excretion. This effect may be easily neutralized by drinking an extra glass of water.
* 10. Dependence. Although "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA, caffeine is still a drug, a mild central nervous system stimulant, and it produces dependence. Caffeine withdrawal is a real syndrome. You may get a few days of headache and irritability if you choose to quit drinking coffee, however, it is relatively easy to break this habit, and most people are not addicted to caffeine
Are you a Tea or Coffee Person?
Say Why !
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byTea Lover
poddys says:
I like coffee but try to stay clear of it most of the time. I enjoy Green or Red tea more than Black tea, and have a variety of teas that I like to choose from, depending on my mood.
Posted January 17, 2012
JaguarJulie says:
Oh my ... how topicable ... I have always craved that morning cup of coffee and considered myself a coffee lover. Something happened in the past couple of weeks, I haven't figured it all out. But, I cannot finish a cup of coffee!! I am slightly distressed about it all. At the moment, I have a cup of tea for my morning drink ... so I think I've moved over to tea ... like my grandmother did.
Posted January 13, 2012
DailyHealthBlitz says:
For 30 years I was a coffee drinker. I recently switched to herbal tea as my main drink. About once a month I'll fall off the wagon on special occasions.
Posted September 02, 2011
Coffee Adict
technospunky says:
COFFEEEEEEEE.... Actually I take a little coffee in my Cream and Sugar.
Posted November 16, 2011
jenna says:
coffee all the way!
Posted November 12, 2011
newbizmau says:
Coffee for now, but also looking for either a healthier coffee or a coffee brew with more benefits. There seems to be some options emerging. I do like to drink cold tea, and hot tea just hasn't been much of a habit for me but I do like it, especially in Winter.
Posted May 16, 2011
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- Purple Corn High levels of antioxidants
- Chlorella Contains more calcium and magnesium than milk and has been shown to boost brain function.
- Goji (Wolfberries) Anti-aging food, richest known source of Carotenoids, 18 amino acids
- Wheatgrass used to maintain vitality, energy and well being, more protein than meat, egg, dairy and beans
Amazing Fruit Teas
- Blueberry and Echinacea Tea ; This is my current favorite tasty and warming
- Ginger, Ginko Bolboa and Ginseng ; A natural way to help invigorate and lift your spirits
- Blackcurrant, Ginseng & Vanilla : A refreshing drink with a lively taste. The ancient Chinese herb of Ginseng is reputed to act as a natural pick-me-up, whilst vanilla pods and a blackcurrant flavour give this infusion a delightfully fresh flavour. (My New Favorite)
Your Beverage Tip or Comment
What is your best Tea or Coffee tip? I often buy exotic teas but then end up not finishing them.
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VKumar
Feb 4, 2012 @ 2:23 pm | delete
- I prefer tea - herbal tea or ginger tea for that matter. A lot of useful information. Thanks for sharing.
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poddys
Jan 17, 2012 @ 4:14 pm | delete
- I love Yerba Mate, but it's hard to find in the UK. I grew to like it while working in Paraguay, where everyone drinks it all day long and very sweet. It's a different taste, but once you like it very addictive. Best drunk using a traditional Calabas and Pipe.
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Glenn619
Dec 7, 2011 @ 6:37 am | delete
- These are some good alternatives, though i love coffee at times it becomes too boring to have the same thing.
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KathyT
Aug 17, 2011 @ 10:28 am | delete
- During summer, I'll take a gallon jar and put a few raspberry tea bags in it, add cold water, and let it sit for a day. Sometimes I'll add a few mint leaves from the lawn. YUMMY! :)
Nice lens! Oh... one more thing. I was having trouble with Yerba Mate until I realized "Less is More..." In other words, I was using too much! It made for a bitter tea. I cut back to about a teaspoon for a couple of cups, and it's much easier to enjoy now!
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DailyHealthBlitz
Jul 21, 2011 @ 4:54 pm | delete
- Don't drink caffeine after a high fat meal (even though that's what we want to do!). Studies show that it will spike your blood sugar level up to unsafe levels!
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Kris
Jun 14, 2011 @ 11:05 pm | delete
- I'd go for a drink that has ginseng in it. It makes me feel young. Ginseng is such a great plant.
Hammer Toes and Bunion Relief
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newbizmau
May 16, 2011 @ 6:55 pm | delete
- There are some emerging new coffee companies that are incorporating healthier substances into our coffee brew, like high antioxidant ingredients. check out this, a new company not yet launched; reserveyourcup.com/glaude
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rhonney
May 5, 2011 @ 11:55 am | delete
- useful tips...thanks!
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shoulderpaincoachrick
Apr 25, 2011 @ 5:16 am | delete
- Useful stuff. I am learning from your lenses. Also, other than these healthy beverages, we need to consider vitamins and supplements that will even more keep us strong and healthy like magnesium supplements.
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Tipi
Apr 13, 2011 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- Somehow, I didn't rate this the last time I was here or it just vanishe.
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Tipi
Apr 13, 2011 @ 10:00 pm | delete
- You certainly have presented a lot of alternatives to coffee here. I'm not quite ready for a "Pepper Smoothie" to start the day, wowzers, talk about a waker upper! My sister often send me an assortment of teas and recently I fell in love with an orange herbal tea by Tazo. When I first got it, I looked forward to going to bed so I could wake up and have it in the morning.
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Milan Scott
Apr 8, 2011 @ 4:16 pm | delete
- A friend of mine has mentioned that my love for coffee could have been the reason why the bones on my hips weakened. That resulted in me in the need to have a hip replacement. I'm now worried though from all the news about the possibility of a DePuy Pinnacle Recall. It's been noted to cause metal toxicity in some patients.
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KimGiancaterino Feb 18, 2011 @ 7:51 pm | delete
- We keep lots of different flavored teas on hand for guests. My latest find is a chocolate tea, and it's pretty good with a touch of cream.
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Tipi
Feb 4, 2011 @ 11:08 pm | delete
- I like any kind of coffee, really. Tea is good, but I don't care for any that are bitter. I had no idea that there are so many alternatives for coffee. Thanks for sharing.
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howtocurecancer
Oct 20, 2010 @ 10:23 am | delete
- Lensrolling to my Breakfast of a cancer survivor
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howtocurecancer
Oct 20, 2010 @ 10:21 am | delete
- I am deeply in love with coffee, but for my mom who is on a healthy raw foods treatment, your lens content is of a great help.
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d-artist
Oct 13, 2010 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- I like both coffee and tea, definitely have to have one cup of strong coffee in the morning(usually adding a bit of cinnamon) my afternoon choice is green tea, but found Soy Coffee to my liking as well.
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Swisstoons
Oct 1, 2010 @ 11:37 am | delete
- I like your description of Yerba Mate. Hahaha. The problem is less apparent if you use the tea bags rather than the loose stuff. But if I drink a double cup of this stuff, I feel it. Rooibos is pretty tasty and the color of the red variety makes it even more interesting, but as I understand it, it's not related to green tea. I've tried cayenne "tea" and I understand it counters inflammation anywhere in the body. Not bad with sweetener added, either. I like to add a handful of goji berries to my green tea or rooibos. When the tea's finished, the berries can be eaten. They are very healthful in their own right. Great highly informative and interesting lens!
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thesuccess
Oct 3, 2010 @ 6:07 pm | delete
- Thanks Swisstoons for such a considered reply: I've started again on Rooibos especially evenings.
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WriterBuzz
Sep 29, 2010 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- I just found your lens. I like it a lot. Thanks for building it. Gave you a thumbs up.
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Crissy
May 31, 2010 @ 12:43 pm | delete
- Try Suffuse Rooibos tea. It's naturally caffeine free but also very energizing. Very delicious!!
http://suffuseusa.com/
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hamandegg
Aug 13, 2009 @ 9:58 am | in reply to havanagilaboy | delete
- Hi I know I tasted one I found bitter, will have to try yours!
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havanagilaboy
Aug 13, 2009 @ 9:49 am | delete
- How about the Mate Factor yerba Mate - they claim to be the freshest and best tasting. Have you tried it yet?
http://matefactor.com
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Revive_Energy_Mints
Apr 25, 2009 @ 11:05 pm | delete
- You forgot to mention Revive Nature's Energy Mints
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Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:34 am | delete
- I don't drink coffee, so I will be sure and try some of these teas.
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