Whether you are a fan of those fancy beverages from Starbucks or prefer a humble jar of instant coffee, it is safe to say that we are the world of coffee lovers. However, when you think about the fact that caffeine is addictive and your daily cup of joe can cause withdrawal symptoms and even lead to panic attacks, then coffee alternatives start to look a lot more appealing.

While for many people having that cup of coffee first thing in the morning can feel downright magical sometimes, it’s still a good idea to find alternative ways to boost your energy levels without resorting to caffeine overload. To help you switch out your usual cuppa, here are seven energy sources that will get the same boost in the morning but without the dreaded afternoon crash.

Water

The most obvious but somehow least thought of in the list, water is what our bodies crave so it should be one of your first options in the quest to stay hydrated. Oftentimes, feeling tired or having a bad mood are actually symptoms of dehydration.

So make sure to replace that morning mug of coffee with a big glass of water to kick off your hydration first thing. Then, when you need a pick-me-up during the day, think of it as your body’s natural reminder to sip some water. Bonus points when adding some lemon, orange, lime and other invigorating aromas.

Peppermint Tea

With its minty taste, this herb acts as a natural, refreshing alternative to coffee, as research shows the smell and flavour of peppermint can improve memory and boost alertness and attentiveness. Not to mention that mint can help to relieve tension headaches and digestive symptoms, which can help address your discomforts while also freshening your breath.

Since mint is fairly easy to grow, you can always have it on hand to boil fresh or dried leaves for a few minutes and enjoy your quick, energising tea. Or you can also drip a few drops of peppermint essential oil in your diffuser, which, according to one study, had a similar invigorating effect.Matcha

With its distinctive green colour, matcha can also be a helpful substitute for avid coffee drinkers, especially if you tend to feel an afternoon energy crash after sipping espresso all morning. Although this Japanese tea powder provides a boost of natural energy from caffeine it is loaded with the amino acid L-theanine, which slows down its release in the body. This means that after drinking matcha tea you will experience a slow rise and fall in energy, rather than a sudden surge followed by an unpleasant decline.

Another great advantage of matcha is that it is rich in antioxidants that aid in fighting free radicals in the body, molecules that can damage cells, which in turn may cause both disease and ageing.

CBD

CBD tea is another all-natural and beneficial option with a variety of health benefits provided by the buzzy compound CBD that is taking the world by storm these days. Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is an active, non-addictive and non-psychoactive substance known to interfere with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for most functions of an organism, including mood, stress, pain, sleep and many others.

Drinking CBD-infused drinks like tea, water, hot chocolate and juice or adding a few drops of CBD oil to your daily beverages can help relieve stress and anxiety, diminish pain and chronic aches, improve focus as well promote the necessary rest – all essential for increased energy levels. You can also try CBD gummies or other formats like vapes, capsules or tinctures to find the right form of cannabidiol that can fulfil your needs and a suitable product that you can easily incorporate into your day-to-day routine.

Kombucha

This fermented sweet tea has been one of the biggest wellness trends in recent years due to its purported health benefits, such as improved digestion and immune function. Kombucha is thought to be beneficial for maintaining gut health as this drink contains healthy bacteria, ensuring your gut is populated by mostly the good types of microbes. Good bacteria in the gut can provide many benefits, such as supporting nutrient absorption, helping to strengthen immunity and even improve symptoms of some mental health disorders.

Although the caffeine content usually decreases during the fermentation of kombucha, these small amounts of caffeine as well as iron and B-vitamins it contains, all can help to provide energy to the body. Kombucha can also work as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks or coffee as it is low in sugar and, like many types of teas, contains less caffeine.

Ginseng

Traditionally used as an energy-replenishing tonic in Chinese medicine, today ginger is used for endurance and memory, as well as for improving concentration. What’s more, different animal studies have linked certain components of ginseng, such as polysaccharides and oligopeptides, with reduced oxidative stress and higher cellular energy production, which may help fight fatigue.

As added benefits, ginseng tea helps provide potential benefits of ginseng root, such as improved immune system, lowered blood sugar and disease-fighting antioxidants.Cacao

While you may think of cacao as a delicious bedtime drink to help you relax, a cup of quality, low-sugar hot chocolate can also serve as an ideal coffee alternative. Loaded with powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, cocoa can help improve blood flow to the brain and enhance cognitive function. It also contains a stimulating compound called theobromine, a moderate dose of caffeine and magnesium, an essential mineral that is involved in many reactions in the body, including energy creation.

Whether you prefer to add cacao powder or some dark chocolate squares to your warm milk, cacao will create the perfect morning beverage with a rich coffee-like flavour and mood-enhancing properties, so there is another great reason to pamper yourself with a daily dose of dark chocolate! However, consider buying natural, unsweetened cacao powder with a concentration of at least 70% or ideally 70-85% dark chocolate.

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