Avoid the Slump
‘Today: prepare to be crushed!’
You think to yourself as your morning coffee kicks in. There’s nothing quite like the buzz from the black stuff. That sudden alertness that makes you feel anything is possible. But how does it work? Well, coffee stimulates production of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes your liver to release stored sugars. And, just like that you’re off, riding an unstoppable wave of energy until….the slump.
Coffee is wonderful in moderation, and London’s love affair with the magic bean shows no signs of abating, but there can be downsides. Coffee certainly affects your energy levels and your mood (a high followed by a crash), but it can also cause anxiety and have a detrimental impact on sleep and digestion. We’re not trying to scare you off coffee, but merely to offer you some coffee substitutes if you think it’s time for a change.
Here at Huckle, we’re always interested in ways to stay energised, especially as we’re on on our feet all day. Read on to discover six healthy alternatives to coffee. Moderation applies here too. Eight cups of anything per day (apart from water) is probably too much.
Healthy Alternatives to Coffee
Lemon water
Got your attention now, eh? Pure, clear H20: what an exciting alternative to coffee. Start the day by adding lemon juice and zest to hot or cold water. Thanks to negative charged ions, lemon juice increases energy levels. It also stimulates bile production, which helps keep food moving smoothly through the body, and enables you to get more nutrients from what you eat. And it contains Vitamin C. Lots of it.
Matcha green tea
This one’s got caffeine but not enough to give you the jitters. A finely ground green tea that’s been used by the Japanese for centuries. Although it has no proven impact on your ability to wield a samurai sword, matcha’s benefits come from its polyphenol compounds: catechins are a type of antioxidant found in other superfoods like cocoa and apples. What’s the fuss about antioxidants? They remove free radicals, protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
Green smoothie
It’s true. Leafy greens are about the most nutritious things you can eat. We’re talking about vegetables like spinach, kale, chard, and broccoli. Leafy greens are packed with vital vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid. The B vitamins help you gain energy from your food and the fibre keeps you full for longer. For a powerful coffee replacement, whizz up a blend of mainly veg, with water or non-dairy milk, and avocado for creaminess.
Fennel tea
This one is great for soothing the stomach, so ideal to drink after meals as well as in the morning. Fennel tea has been used to aid digestion and ease post-blowout suffering since the time of the Ancient Greeks. And they knew feasting. Fennel is a bit like celery but with a mild liquorice flavour. It’s great for detoxifying the body and boosting metabolism.
Wheatgrass juice
Ah, wheatgrass. The health supplement most associated with holier-than-thou yoga obsessives. But, regardless of its image problem, wheatgrass is crammed with minerals and vitamins and hence astonishingly good for you. If you can’t find fresh wheatgrass, the powdered form is a good alternative. Made from the grass of the young wheat plant, pure wheatgrass is gluten free and full of amino acids that aid digestion.
Pomegranate juice
Magic squeezed from the ruby-red, jewel-like seeds of the pomegranate fruit. This naturally sweet elixir doesn’t come cheap but, as a coffee substitute, the benefits are huge. With antioxidants by the bucketload and Vitamin C in spades, there is probably no other fruit juice that has the health-boosting properties of the pomegranate.
We hope you found this round-up of alternatives to coffee enlightening. Experiment and see what works best for you. Ultimately, it’s about supporting your body to work efficiently so your energy level remains steady throughout the day. The coffee rollercoaster is fun, but you can have too much of a good thing. We can’t have you falling asleep in the chair now, can we?
***
Huckle the Barber provides high-quality grooming services, including haircuts and wet shaves, for discerning London gents. Visit us in Shoreditch or Holborn. Book your Huckle appointment online.