SUPERFOOD COFFEE SUBSTITUTES: STAY AWAKE & ALERT WITH THESE HEALTHY DRINKS

If you love the pick-me-up quality of a cup of coffee—but could do without its jittery spike-and-crash effects—then you might want to consider swapping your cup o’ Joe out for one of the superfood drinks we’ll introduce here.

These four drinks (and one awesome snack food) will give you a lift while at the same time providing first-rate nutritional benefits. As such, they’re awesome options for enhancing mental alertness and physical energy without any of the gnarly side effects of coffee.

1. Matcha

What’s the historical origin of this elegant drink?

Matcha—a drink made from the ground powder of shade-grown tea leaves—is a favorite among yoga and meditation practitioners, and for good reason. This healthy drink features an abundance of L-theanine: an amino acid that boosts the production of relaxation-inducing neurotransmitters and stimulates the creation of alpha brainwaves.

What this means is that while matcha enhances mental alertness, it also promotes relaxation—giving rise to a state of mind that is simultaneously awake and deeply relaxed; energized and calmly focused.

Tip: A high-quality matcha will be bright (almost neon) green. To take the edge off of its naturally bitter taste, try adding raw honey and a splash of half-and-half to your matcha tea. It’s sooo delicious!

2. Yerba Mate

In South America, yerba mate is revered as the “tea of the gods.” In Argentina, it has even been declared the national drink! So what makes yerba mate so special?

A big part of yerba mate’s specialness is down to its being absolutely chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and other health-enhancing ingredients:

“Yerba mate contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, niacin (B3), B5 and B complex. It also contains the following essential minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. But it doesn’t even stop there! It contains even more additional health-promoting compounds like carotene, fatty acids, chlorophyll, flavonols, polyphenols, inositol, trace minerals, antioxidants, tannins and at least 15 amino acids.”

In total, yerba mate contains a whopping 196 biologically active, health-promoting compounds! It has less caffeine than coffee or tea, and boasts an impressive array of health benefits, e.g. stimulating the immune system and regulating cholesterol levels. All this makes yerba mate a fantastic non-jittery substitute for coffee.

3. Chaga Mushroom

You may think of mushrooms mostly as something to slice onto a tossed salad or order as an ingredient on your take-out pizza.

But for thousands of years—in Asian countries in particular—certain mushrooms have also been used medicinally. In recent decades, western science has validated the therapeutic effects of a variety of these health-enhancing mushrooms.

Among medicinal mushrooms, chaga is particularly delicious as a healthy tea. It has a rich (almost coffee-like) flavor that is deeply nourishing. The adaptogenic qualities of chaga help to relieve physical and mental stress—keeping you calmly focused. And it is naturally caffeine-free, so you can drink it at any time of the day.

To make your own chaga tea, simmer some chunks of dried chaga (or the ground powder) in water for 20-30 minutes, then strain into a cup and enjoy!

Tip: Try adding a bit of vanilla extract, some maple syrup, and a splash of milk to your chaga tea—to enhance its already-delicious flavor.

4. Guayusa

Guayusa—an herbal tisane made from the leaves of the holly tree—is a close cousin of yerba mate, and is known for its gentle sweet flavor: The tea made from guayusa leaves is fruity, floral, and creamy.

Like yerba mate, guayusa is a staple in South American countries. The guayusa tree is native to the Amazon rainforest and is frequently cultivated in Ecuador. It also grows in Peru, Colombia, the Bolivian Andes, and the Brazilian Amazon.

Indigenous people of Ecuador commonly drink guayusa in the context of spiritual ceremonies. It is traditional for members of a community to gather first thing in the morning, and drink guayusa tea while watching the sunrise.

Guayusa tea contains high concentrations of beneficial amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. Some of the many health benefits of guayusa include:

→  Boosting energy
→  Improving mood
→  High antioxidant level—to eliminate free radicals
→  Aids digestion via anti-inflammatory properties
→  Theanine content helps protect heart health

Note: Because guayusa has high levels of caffeine and hence strong stimulant properties—it is best used in moderation; and is not recommended for children.

5. Cacao Nibs

Cocoa is packed with nutrients, and moderate, regular consumption of high-quality chocolate provides the body with many benefits….

What’s not to love about a snack that boosts energy and burns fat at the same time?!

Cacao nibs come from the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree, which is the source of original natural chocolate. They’re chock-full of healthful, nutrient-dense phytochemicals that our bodies need—so are a great thing to snack on throughout the day.

Some of the proven benefits of cacao nibs include:

→  Improve focus and alertness
→  Enhance mood (via effects on neurotransmitters)
→  Source of important phytonutrients like iron, sulfur, and magnesium.
→  Help maintain muscle and nerve function (via the magnesium)
→  Have more antioxidant activity than tea, blueberries, wine, or goji berries
→  Help keep bowel movements regular
→  Support weight loss

Tip: Cacao nibs straight-up are quite bitter in flavor. The good news is that there are gently sweetened varieties, available for purchase. You can also mix the cacao nibs with some dates or raisins, for a sweetly scrumptious and healthy snack.

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy coffee substitute, look no further than the superfoods on this list. With so many great options to choose from, there’s sure to be one that fits your taste buds and lifestyle. So brew up a cup of your favorite superfood coffee substitute today and start feeling better tomorrow!

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