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
Tonic drinks
Water with lemon juice
Making this invigorating drink is not difficult, and the ingredients are always available in the store. It is enough to cut a few thin slices from the lemon, throw them into a glass of water and stir so that they release some of the juice. A pleasant citrus aroma will help you stay energetic throughout the day.
Rose hip decoction
Dried rose hips are an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. If consumed regularly, a drink made from them can easily replace coffee, making you much healthier and more alert. Please note that there are incorrect recipes on the Internet that suggest brewing or infusing whole fruits in a thermos. But the drink obtained in this way is more appropriately called a tincture of road dust.
The correct recipe for rosehip decoction is as follows:
- Rinse the dried fruits well, pour them into a saucepan, pour boiling water over them and leave for several hours (overnight is possible).
- Remove the swollen rose hips using a slotted spoon and chop them with a spoon (it is enough to break each fruit in half).
- Pour the ground fruit back into the pan, add water and bring the drink to a boil.
- Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring vigorously.
For every liter of water, 20-30 grams of dried rosehip is enough. A properly prepared drink has a pleasant and quite rich taste, but you can diversify it by adding hibiscus, lemon slices, green or flower tea and other additives.
Tea with lemon
Black tea also contains a lot of caffeine. To make the invigorating effect stronger, it is advisable to use it with lemon. The combination of caffeine, ascorbic acid and lemon essential oils perfectly tones and improves performance. Tea, unlike coffee, has a much gentler effect, so drowsiness does not replace vigor.
Green tea with honey, lemon and ginger
Green tea has even more caffeine than black tea, so it is quite capable of replacing coffee. Lemon also goes well with it. A teaspoon of honey is a small portion of “fast” carbohydrates for energy, and a piece of ginger will create a subtle burning taste that will enhance the invigorating effect of the drink.
Juices from oranges and other citrus fruits
Natural oranges are rich in easily digestible sugars and vitamin C, making a glass of freshly squeezed juice an excellent way to quickly restore energy. But keep in mind that if you drink too much, an energy slump may occur after a couple of hours, so try not to drink more than 250 milliliters of any sweet juice at one time.
Ginger-lemon drink
Ginger is known for its tonic effect. To prepare the drink, you need to cut it into very thin slices or grate it, then pour boiling water over it and leave for about 20 minutes. Squeeze a little lemon juice into the cooled drink - in combination with ginger, this will give a wonderful aroma. You can also add a teaspoon of honey, which will not only improve the taste, but also become an additional source of energy.
Masala
The mixture for preparing this drink can be bought at a tea store or prepared yourself. To do this, you will need regular black tea, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, anise and black pepper. All ingredients need to be poured into a saucepan or other suitable container, filled with 2 parts water and 1 part milk. Next, the mixture must be brought to a boil over medium heat, then left for another half hour. The strained drink is immediately ready to drink. If desired, you can add honey or other sweetener.
Pomegranate juice
The tonic effect of pomegranate juice is not so strong, but drinking a cup after lunch can make you feel better and more energetic. Its benefits truly manifest themselves with regular use - it significantly improves mood and performance. Keep in mind that pomegranate juice should not be drunk on an empty stomach - this can cause digestive problems.
Hibiscus
A popular drink made from hibiscus flowers (Sudanese rose), also known as “red tea,” is a good tonic. In addition, it is very rich in antioxidants and is beneficial for digestion. But keep in mind that it contains a lot of organic acids, so you shouldn’t drink it on an empty stomach either.
"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
What else can you replace coffee with?
A good stimulating effect can be achieved with the help of gymnastics, head massage, contrast shower, i.e. those methods that increase blood circulation. At the same time, an increased amount of oxygen and nutrients enters the brain, which contributes to its awakening and performance.
There are also more exotic tips. For example, use chewing gum with sage. The effect of this plant is twofold. On the one hand, it has its own tonic effect. On the other hand, it contains substances that block the enzyme cholinesterase. The result is an increase in brain performance and attention.
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
Hibiscus
Photo: wp.com
This Egyptian flower has many names: “Sudanese rose”, “hibiscus”, “drink of the pharaohs”. And although the drink has nothing to do with tea, it has become so common among many peoples that it is called “red tea.” In Egypt, hibiscus is the national drink. It is used as a coolant in hot weather. Children will also like this ruby-colored drink, as it tastes like fruit drink.
There will be no problems with the availability of Sudanese rose. In supermarkets you can buy a bag of dried petals for a price no more expensive than tea. Before brewing hibiscus, it is recommended to wash the petals from the sand of the Egyptian desert.
The drink is extremely healthy and rich in vitamins and microelements. The substances that give the plant its ruby color have P-vitamin activity and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Hibiscus has an invigorating effect due to its high content of vitamin C. It is recommended to take with caution for stomach ulcers.
There is a weak effect of the drink on blood pressure: when consumed warm, it increases blood pressure, and when consumed cold, on the contrary, it lowers it. The effect on blood pressure of Sudanese rose is significantly lower than that of coffee.
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
Drinks with similar taste and aroma
Cocoa
This drink has a pleasant chocolate taste and is a good tonic due to the presence of theobromine, a substance similar to caffeine. At the same time, its effect is much “softer”, but lasts longer. A cup of cocoa will help you quickly restore your energy levels after hard intellectual or physical work. But keep in mind that people prone to anxiety are advised to exercise caution when drinking this drink.
Carob
If you are looking for something to replace coffee with, not only for the invigorating effect, but also for the taste, carob can be a good alternative. It is a sweet powder that tastes like cocoa. It is obtained by grinding carob pods. Raw carob and roasted carob are available for sale. The first can be added to baked goods and desserts, while the second is more suitable for making drinks.
Decaf coffee
Decaf is a coffee substitute that allows you to enjoy the taste and aroma of your favorite drink without getting a dose of caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is available for sale in all forms: ground, instant, beans and capsules. Modern technology allows us to extract 97% of caffeine directly from whole beans. Consequently, one cup of the drink contains approximately 30 times less caffeine than a cup of regular coffee.
Chicory
Chicory extract is a popular drink with a pleasant coffee taste. This is an ideal coffee substitute for pregnant women. It does not contain caffeine and has no contraindications, and with regular use it helps improve digestion. Unlike decaffeinated coffee, a drink made from chicory reduces blood pressure in hypertension and normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
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
Cocoa
Cocoa has a tonic effect. The drink helps increase concentration. Cocoa improves your mood. It increases endurance.
Cocoa beans contain a lot of useful substances:
- magnesium. This substance promotes muscle relaxation. Magnesium helps cope with stress;
- iron. It helps fight anemia;
- chromium. This substance helps maintain glucose levels in the body at an optimal level;
- serotonin. It prevents the occurrence of depression.
Hot chocolate with mint
This drink tastes similar to coffee, but is still worth drinking for those who cannot drink caffeine due to health problems.
Homemade hot chocolate is the healthiest (Photo: Pixabay.com)
Simply make cocoa and add a sprig of mint. True, this drink is quite high in calories, so you shouldn’t drink it too often.
Uzvar
Photo: bm.img.com.ua
Uzvar or vzvar is a real field for improvisation. The drink is prepared by bringing water to a boil with the addition of herbs and dried fruits. There are a huge number of recipes for creating uzvar, and everyone can come up with their own. Dried fruits are often used for preparation - rose hips, apples, plums, apricots, etc.
The recipe is to bring water to a boil, then add dried fruits and herbs and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes. After this time, sugar is added, stirred and cooked for another five minutes. Then the uzvar is removed from the heat and infused for 2-3 hours under a closed lid.
