Ready to kick your coffee habit? Making the decision to give up that regular morning cup of coffee can be difficult. Thankfully there are healthier alternatives that can still give you that morning pick-me-up without the negative side effects. As you might have guessed, tea is a popular alternative to coffee. The caffeine in tea does not bind to your system the way coffee does which allows it to move through your body more efficiently.
Black tea tends to have the strongest flavor and the most caffeine of all teas. This rich tea has plenty of antioxidants and flavonoids which help prevent heart disease and strokes. The flavor of black tea differs from spicy and nutty to flowery and fruity. Some of the most popular black teas are Darjeeling and English Breakfast.
Green tea comes in many varieties and is high in nutrients and minerals. Specifically this tea contains Vitamin C and fluoride which helps strengthen our immune system and bones. This tea has a subtle bitter flavor that has slight grassy hints of the fresh plant.
Yerba Mate is widely consumed by South Americans as a healthy alternative to coffee. This non-caffeinated tea has plenty of vitamins and minerals along with saponins which are phytochemicals that are known to boost the immune system. Yerba Mate has a refreshing sweet and spicy flavor.
Rooibos is a non-caffeinated red tea that energizes and is a great thirst quencher. The flavor is often described as sweet and nutty. It is popular in South Africa because of its high levels of anti-oxidants and its ability to aid in hypertension, headaches and irritability.
Ginseng tea both relaxes and energizes and can be consumed at any time of the day. It is know to enhance stamina and mental alertness. Several vitamins and minerals are found in this tea such as folic acid, niacin, copper and manganese. Adding sugar or honey is recommended as it has a bitter taste.
Kicking your coffee habit might take some time due to the effects of caffeine withdrawal. Slowly cutting back on your coffee dependence by alternating with substitute beverages can help alleviate the symptoms of headaches, irritability and fatigue. Experimenting and evaluating different alternatives will assist your search in a healthier replacement.
About the author: Vanessa Lujan is a holistic health educator and massage therapist. She helps others start home based businesses and currently owns and operates,
www.glowtopia.com which sells vegetable/soy based candles and all natural bath products.
