November 16, 2022

Addicted to Caffeine? Try These Alternatives Instead

You wake up after a fitful sleep. You’re groggy but have lots to do, so you start brewing a cup of coffee or tea to perk you up.

It seems to help, but by early afternoon you feel your body slowing down again. Your mind gets cloudy, and you start looking for another cup of coffee, tea, or energy drink.

Your body needs energy to thrive. And while many caffeinated drinks are thought to give you energy, the truth is that they only block the feeling of being tired!

What’s worse, some people are in a cycle where they can’t perform normal everyday activities without caffeine in their system

If you feel you’re addicted to caffeine, it’s time to give natural alternatives a try.

Below are some of the top natural alternatives to caffeine that will help give you energy to conquer your day!

Stretching

Starting the day with a good stretch can help get your circulation going. It can also give you a mental boost.

There are even stretches you can do before ever getting out of bed, such as a full body stretch, a quad pull, and a side lying quad pull (1). These can be done with or without a resistance band.

B Vitamins

This family of vitamins works specifically within your cells to boost energy and optimize function (11). People who are deficient often experience symptoms such as fatigue, mood disorders, and trouble concentrating.

Of all the B vitamins, Vitamin B3 (also known as Niacinamide) is the one your body uses to support energy levels on a cellular level.

Maca Root

This gnarly, club-looking root has been around for hundreds of years. Maca contains properties called adaptogens, which have been shown to support your adrenal glands and battle fatigue (5).

Ginseng

This herb is a popular ingredient in energy drinks, and has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for its cognitive-boosting properties.

When taking as a supplement or tea, it may help you regain focus, enhance mental clarity, and alleviate fatigue (10).

Peppermint Tea

A refreshing herb that can easily take over your growing space, peppermint has been shown to have lots of energizing properties (3). Inhaling a quality essential oil or making a tea of dried or fresh leaves is a great way to get an afternoon pick-me-up.

Pro tip: Peppermint tea can be enjoyed iced as well! Perfect for warm, summer months.

Rhodiola

This flowering herb has been known to help with memory and attention. Taking a supplement form can also help alleviate mental tiredness, according to studies (2).

Chicory Root

Also known as “Poor Man’s Coffee”, this root has been roasted, ground, steeped, and drank as an alternative to coffee (9).

If you’re familiar with how the placebo effect works, this could be a great way to continue to a morning coffee ritual without the caffeine.

A word of caution: Not everyone tolerates herbs and supplements the same way. While these are natural caffeine alternatives, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new herbal remedies.

Berries

Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries are great choices when you feel that afternoon crash coming.

High in fiber and antioxidants, these superfoods can help keep you full, boost your energy levels, and fight off free radicals. Research shows that blueberries in particular have compounds that can help maintain healthy brain function (8).

You can eat them fresh, dried, or in a powerful supplement form such as KaraMD’s Revive Reds (7).

Nuts

If you’re not nuts about nuts, you might change your mind after learning how healthy they are. Packed with protein, good fats, and carbohydrates, nuts can fuel your brain and body for hours.

Walnuts pack an especially powerful punch when it comes to keeping your brain sharp. Research finds that walnuts have twice the antioxidants over other kinds of nuts, and can help with memory and learning skills (6).

Water

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: hydration is key to optimal health! Dehydration can slow everything down in the body, and can make you tired, foggy, and cranky.

If you’re not a fan of plain water, add a few slices of lemon, orange, cucumber or mint leaves for a refreshing way to keep you alert and energized (4).

Wrap Up

We live in a world that is always on the go, and trying to keep up can be physically and mentally exhausting.

The fact is, we weren’t built for the 21^st century. And if you’ve been relying on caffeine to keep you going, it can be hard to break the habit.

Fortunately, there are many natural alternatives to caffeine that will energize you and enhance your body’s natural capabilities. Herbs like peppermint, maca root and ginseng can be a great way to start your morning. In the afternoon, while foods like mushrooms, berries, and nuts can help keep you going strong.

Staying active can also help keep you sharp throughout the day. A quick 10 minute cardio or some light stretches can get your blood pumping and your body from slumping.

It’s one thing to enjoy a cup or two of coffee or tea, but if you feel you’re addicted to caffeine, there is hope. Start slow, and supplement some of these natural caffeine alternatives to your diet. Over time, you may find yourself not wanting caffeine at all

Do you know something who might benefit from this info? Forward this on and share with them today!

References & Disclaimers

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/try-these-stretches-before-you-get-out-of-bed

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6208354/

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103722/

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27548190/

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32093220/

7. https://karamd.com/products/revive-reds

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7442370/

9. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chicory-coffee#benefits

10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29624410/