If your body has had too much caffeine, you may want to try other hot drinks instead of tea and coffee. People like tea and coffee because of their flavour, for others it has become part of their routine. There is no denying that caffeine can be addictive. However, at some point, people who drink coffee and tea may start to feel nervousness and agitation and to others may cause distress and headaches.
If you are looking to live a healthy, caffeine-free life, you might be looking for alternatives. If you want to stick to hot drinks but get more benefits than just a relaxing hot drink, let’s look at 5 hot drinks alternatives to tea and coffee.
5 Healthy Alternatives to Tea and Coffee
1. Cocoa
With the winter months coming and the weather cooling down, a hot cup of cocoa- is a healthy choice according to this study. Not only will it create a cosy feeling, but it is also very good for your brain health! Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps fight the ageing-related cognitive decline in the elderly. Although more research is needed, a study published in Antioxidants states that the biomolecules in cocoa are a promising option to manage cognitive decline during ageing. So, if you’re looking for a delicious, sweet drink that is beneficial for you, get yourself a cup of cocoa. It is important to note that you should opt for natural cocoa powder rather than hot chocolate powders that contain synthetic additives and sugar. You can find some eco-friendly, organic and natural hot chocolate on Vivnaturelle. Just add some hot chocolate to a hot cup of milk, add a teaspoon of natural honey if you like it sweet and enjoy!
2. Fresh Lemon Tea With Honey
If you’d rather drink something more refreshing, give warm lemon tea a try. Just add a slice of lemon to warm water and let it sit for a few minutes, then add a teaspoon of natural honey. It will boost your vitamin C levels and maintain the health of your immune system. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant which is an important part to maintain the immune system. Vitamin C is also important for skin health and protects it from damage. Lemon tea is caffeine-free and you can leave it without honey to make it calorie-free, which is ideal for people who want to lose weight!
Be careful not to drink it too often or too concentrated, as citric acid can be harmful to your teeth especially if they are sensitive. After drinking an acidic drink, wait at least 30 minutes and then brush your teeth. Acidic drinks may cause discomfort for people with a sensitive stomach so try them diluted at first.
3. Fresh Ginger Tea
In ancient recipes, people used ginger as a remedy to treat cough and flu. It’s well-known that ginger is great at boosting the immune system, reducing blood pressure, and promoting healthy ageing. Not only that, according to research, ginger could be a successful alternative to traditional anti-nausea drugs in people who are pregnant or undergoing chemotherapy and can’t have conventional medicines. Another research showed that consuming 2-6 grams of ginger daily could protect from heart diseases.
This can be a great option as a tea alternative especially when you make it with fresh ginger. Simply slice a few pieces of ginger and pour hot water over them and let it settle, then add natural honey if you prefer a sweet drink. To avoid upsetting the stomach, start with smaller pieces to see how you react to them. Dry ginger powder can also be used.
4. Fresh Mint Tea
Once again, this is different from your regular tea because it is made with fresh mint leaves. Just take a couple of leaves from a mint plant and pour hot water on them. It will have a soothing effect, while the minty flavour will also awaken your mind. Mint leaves tea can soothe indigestion and help with pain relief. It is also a common remedy for relieving colds and flu as it can open nasal passages.
5. Green Tea Blend
Last but not least, if you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, we recommend purchasing a green tea blend. While green tea has some caffeine in it, the levels are significantly lower than those in black tea or coffee. You can choose the flavour based on your preference or the benefits you’re looking for. Green tea can be blended with peppermint tea or with fresh mint leaves. You can also blend it with any other herbs you may want to try like lemongrass. Check out our selection of eco-friendly herbal tea on Vivnaturelle.
Healthiest Hot Drink in the Morning
Everyone would have their own opinion on what’s the healthiest drink in the morning. Ideally, you should start your day with a simple glass of water to awaken your stomach. Once you properly start your day, we’d recommend opting for fresh mint tea or a cup of hot lemon water. It would be ideal to switch between the two to get multiple benefits from these drinks and to protect your teeth from constant acid exposure.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons to opt for one of the 7 healthy alternatives to tea and coffee that would benefit your body. You could improve your immune system, blood sugar levels, and the health of your heart by simply switching to a different beverage. You can read more about well-being on our blog. We’d love to hear your thoughts on tea alternatives without caffeine that you enjoy, or caffeine-free hot drinks during pregnancy if you’ve had to give up caffeine for that reason. Let us know in the comments!
You can read more on Healthline, Hindustan Times and British Heart Foundation.