Coffee is good. Almost too good. The energy kick from coffee can be so good that you start drinking too much of it, and that can come with some unpleasant side effects. Too much caffeine has been linked with depression and anxiety. Plus, the amount of sugar that many people consume with their coffee isn’t healthy either.
The good news is that there are plenty of other natural drinks that will give your body the energy boost it craves. Below, you can find 9 of them.
Tea
The nice thing about tea is that you won’t crash as fast or hard as coffee, and you can avoid the coffee jitters. To get the caffeine you crave, go for white, green, or black teas.
Matcha latte
Matcha has been linked to lower cancer rates and packs a nutritional punch in each cup. That’s because when you drink matcha, you ingest the entire ground-up tea leaf, as opposed to steeped leaves. For an energy boost, whisk some matcha into a latte.
Green smoothies
Blend a smoothie using fruits, ice, and spinach to make a delicious, antioxidant-filled drink that’s guaranteed to wake you up. Not only will you get energy, but you’ll also get some precious nutrition, hydration, and vitamins. If you want an extra caffeine boost from your green smoothie, consider adding some black tea.
Chia smoothies
Chia seeds are chock full of protein, which is why so many athletes eat them to replenish their bodies after a workout. Adding chia seeds to a peanut butter smoothie can make a great recovery snack—or a nice afternoon pick-me-up.
Ginseng and licorice root tea Here’s the recipe for this drink.
1). 1 handful of small tendril rootlets of white ginseng roots (ren shen)
2). 10 long slices of licorice root (glycyrrhiza uralensis of G glabra (gan cao).
Put the ginseng and licorice together in a thermos or a large teapot and add 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes, then pour off the liquid into a separate container. Add 4 more cups of boiling water to the ginseng and licorice and steep for 20 minutes more. You may repeat this process with the same roots up to 5 times. Strain the tea and drink it throughout the day for a subtle energy boost.
Oil of oregano infusion
Part of the reason we feel fatigued is due to dormant viruses in the body. A good way to fight these dormant viruses is with a dose of oregano oil, which is antioxidant-rich and can improve both your digestion and immune system functioning. This extract is different and less strong than oregano essential oil. Add 1-2 drops to an 8-oz. glass of water and drink once daily. The flavor has a burning intensity, so stick to just a few drops.
Kombucha
This fizzy drink made of fermented black tea has become incredibly popular in the last few years, and for good reason. Kombucha is loaded with microorganisms, and its ability to reinvigorate is attributed to the iron that comes from the tea.
Beetroot juice
A University of Exeter study found beetroot juice can extend athletic stamina. It also reduces blood pressure. If the taste is a bit too much for you, try mixing it along with other vegetables to dilute its potency, or mix it into a fruit smoothie.
Water
This list wouldn’t be complete without water. After all, water is essential to maintaining energy throughout the day and should always be the first option before turning to anything else.