The vast majority of people who drink coffee feel “jitters” in their body within hours of consumption. They become more agitated than usual, make nervous moves, and feel constantly “on edge” (in an unpleasant, fear-inducing way).
The stress caused by coffee jitters can be detrimental to your health. According to the American Heart Association, high stress levels can lead to high-blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular issues.
Almost every coffee drinker knows the feeling of being absolutely drained in the afternoon, right after the quick energy boost they experienced in the morning. These sudden crashes can take a massive toll on your productivity and overall well-being.
Studies indicate that coffee may cause heart issues, including abnormal heartbeats and other anomalies.
In a recent study presented at the American Heart Association, researchers found that consuming coffee was associated with a 54% increase in premature ventricular contractions, a type of abnormal heartbeat occurring in the lower heart chambers.
Another major problem is that the more coffee you drink, the less responsive your body becomes. Multiple scientific studies have shown that when people consume caffeine regularly, they develop a reduced responsiveness to its stimulating effects (something called caffeine tolerance).
That means that coffee becomes less and less effective at boosting your energy with time, to a point where your body will barely feel any effect once it gets used to it. This makes coffee a non-sustainable solution to improve your energy levels over time.
Sugar can destroy gut health and lead to a vast range of long-term health issues. When looking for an alternative to coffee, it’s important to only look for drinks with low amounts of sugar (preferably from natural sources, like fruits)
Too much caffeine can cause cardiovascular issues, including irregular heartbeats. Most alternatives to coffee contain caffeine, as it remains a powerful energy stimulant. To avoid problems, stay away from drinks that contain more than 200 mg of caffeine.
Many drinks who claim to boost your energy actually produce a very mild stimulant effect. While arguably healthier than coffee, these beverages may not serve as an ideal alternative to coffee, especially if you’re looking for a strong, noticeable energy boost throughout the day.
Artificial sweeteners like ace-K or aspartame can damage gut health and cause long-term health issues. Stay away from drinks that contain these chemicals.
Convenience is also very important. If the drink is too complex or long to prepare, it may dissuade you from drinking and you may go back to your “old coffee habits”
Provides a strong, sustained boost of energy. Ideally, look for drinks that can give you a sustained boost of energy so that you can feel at your best for at least 5-6 hours. The best energy-boosting beverages can have long-lasting effects, up to 12 hours in some cases. Herbal energy drinks tend to be the best option for long-term energy boost.
Look for drinks that don’t cause any jitters or energy crashes. The point of replacing coffee is to avoid that annoying afternoon crash that destroys your vitality and productivity. Drinks that release caffeine slowly, or which use other energy-boosting ingredients aside from caffeine, are less likely to cause crashes. Matcha tea, yerba mate, and some herbal energy drinks do a great job at kicking your energy levels without causing afternoon crashes.
It’s very important to only look for drinks made with high-quality and healthy ingredients. Stay away from high-sugar, synthetic energy drinks. Favor beverages that are only made with clean, natural ingredients. This is especially important if you’re drinking this beverage every day.
Only look for drinks that contain low to no amounts of sugar. Several kombucha products are high in sugar, so you should be careful when choosing kombucha, for instance. Most tea options presented in this article are very low on sugar. Herbal energy drinks typically contain a few grams of sugar, but the amount contained is usually too small to make any difference.
Ideally, the drink should be easy to prepare and consume. That way, it makes it easier to stick to this habit and remove coffee from your routine.
Look for drinks that contain reasonable amounts of caffeine. Anything above 200 mg per drink is excessive and may cause unwanted side effects. According to nutritionists, the sweet spot for stimulation is around 70 to 95 mg - a dose strong enough to kickstart your energy levels, without causing jitters or crashes.
Only choose drinks that are completely free of bad artificial sweeteners such as ace-K or aspartame. This mostly applies to herbal energy drinks as tea beverages rarely contain these sweeteners.
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
