Even those who can’t imagine mornings without the aroma of coffee sometimes want something different.
What to drink instead of coffee and tea, what to replace your usual drinks? What to choose if high levels of caffeine in the body provoke feelings of nervousness and anxiety, or cause digestive problems and headaches? There are tasty and healthy alternatives. Some even taste like tea and coffee. But many of them can be drunk in the morning, afternoon and evening, without fear of increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.
- Chicory - an alternative to coffee
- Matcha tea instead of green tea
- Lemon water instead of tea
- Mate - Indian drink
- Masala – aromatic tea
- Rooibos - a caffeine-free drink
- Apple cider vinegar is not just for those losing weight
Hibiscus
Photo: wp.com
This Egyptian flower has many names: “Sudanese rose”, “hibiscus”, “drink of the pharaohs”. And although the drink has nothing to do with tea, it has become so common among many peoples that it is called “red tea.” In Egypt, hibiscus is the national drink. It is used as a coolant in hot weather. Children will also like this ruby-colored drink, as it tastes like fruit drink.
There will be no problems with the availability of Sudanese rose. In supermarkets you can buy a bag of dried petals for a price no more expensive than tea. Before brewing hibiscus, it is recommended to wash the petals from the sand of the Egyptian desert.
The drink is extremely healthy and rich in vitamins and microelements. The substances that give the plant its ruby color have P-vitamin activity and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Hibiscus has an invigorating effect due to its high content of vitamin C. It is recommended to take with caution for stomach ulcers.
There is a weak effect of the drink on blood pressure: when consumed warm, it increases blood pressure, and when consumed cold, on the contrary, it lowers it. The effect on blood pressure of Sudanese rose is significantly lower than that of coffee.
Bottom line
Coffee is a drink that has widely entered our lives. So widely that sometimes we have to talk about full-fledged dependence on it, when a person simply cannot imagine how to live a day without spurring himself on with coffee. And it doesn’t matter that you can’t sleep well and your heart is pounding. The main thing is that a morning cup of freshly brewed drink allows you to wake up, gain good spirits and a craving for work achievements.
After reading this article, you learned that a cup of coffee in the morning is not an indispensable method of getting yourself into working condition. The options we offer not only perfectly awaken you, not only do they not have the side effects characteristic of coffee, but they can have a beneficial effect on the entire body. And at least for this reason they deserve the closest attention.
Mate
Photo: dsnews.ua
Mate or Paraguayan tea has a high caffeine content, and therefore can rightfully compete with coffee and tea for a place on the morning table. Experts note the presence of microelements in the mat such as sulfur, magnesium, potassium, manganese, sodium, iron, and copper. The drink is rich in B vitamins.
The taste of mate is not similar to other drinks, and therefore there is nothing to compare it with. But lovers of this product note that even if you don’t understand the taste right away, as is often the case, once you try it you won’t exchange it for anything.
What can you drink instead of tea and coffee?
When there is a need to reduce or stop tea consumption, you have to look for a replacement. Considering the importance of tea in the human diet, this seems impossible. In fact, the choice of drinks turns out to be much wider than one might imagine.
Water
A person needs to consume at least 2 liters of clean water per day, excluding tea. This fact is often neglected and the amount of necessary liquid is obtained through drinks containing caffeine, which is fundamentally wrong.
Still water should be the basis of your daily diet. It has a complex effect on the human body, namely:
- gives muscle tone;
- removes toxins;
- prevents headaches and general poor health;
- speeds up metabolism;
- increases resistance to viruses and infections;
- prevents dehydration;
- moisturizes the skin;
- promotes weight loss, etc.
Carbonated water is also recommended for regular daily consumption. It differs from the usual one in its increased acidity and vitamin content. Other advantages include:
- alkalization of the internal environment, maintaining acid-base balance;
- tonic effect;
- stabilization of electrolyte levels;
- improving digestion, stimulating the work of gastric enzymes, etc.
You can drink sweet carbonated water only in very limited quantities. Despite the high content of carbon dioxide, which creates bubbles in soda and is essentially harmless, such a drink is dangerous because of the large amount of sugar, flavorings and preservatives.
Fruit and berry drinks
Natural drinks often turn out to be much healthier than tea, because they retain all the benefits of vitamins and do not load the stomach with too heavy enzymes.
Compotes
This traditional Russian drink can be prepared from both berries and dried fruits. Among the valuable properties are definitely an increase in immunity, a beneficial effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Also, compotes rarely cause allergic reactions, so they can be drunk even by people who have chronic diseases. If you give up tea, compote will be a good gentle drink that will not put unnecessary strain on the gastrointestinal tract.
Fruit drinks
They differ from compotes in that they do not undergo such a long heat treatment (or are not subjected to it at all), and are also necessarily served cold. This makes them an ideal summer drink, which is very refreshing in the heat, and also saturates the body with vitamins C, B, PP and activates its protective functions. The difference between fruit drink and tea is that the vast majority of tea varieties do not contain a group of beneficial microelements that natural berries and fruits abound in.
Smoothie
Recently, this drink has become especially popular. It is a thick mixture of berries, fruits or vegetables ground in a blender, to which water, milk, kefir, yogurt, syrup, herbs, cereals, cereals or nuts are added if desired. You can choose the composition of the cocktail yourself, focusing on your own preferences. This drink has a lot of advantages, such as:
- the ability to replenish your daily requirement of vitamins by drinking just 1 glass of smoothie;
- low calorie content;
- high nutritional value;
- normalization of the digestive system;
- detox and anti-aging effect;
- suitable for athletes and people with dietary restrictions;
- Can replace a full snack.
A smoothie has a number of advantages compared to tea: it is much more satisfying, provides the daily vitamin requirement and is an excellent energy drink.
Kissel
This cold dish, despite its high starch content, is rich in vitamins, microelements and fiber. The viscous structure of jelly coats the stomach well, eliminates heartburn and helps improve intestinal motility, which cannot be said about tea, which is very irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.
Juices
Freshly squeezed juices are very healthy if you drink them within 15-20 minutes after preparation. It is recommended to consume them on a full stomach in order not to irritate its walls. Preference should be given to orange, apple, beet, pomegranate, tomato and carrot juices. Despite their high nutritional value, they do not irritate the digestion by producing additional gastric juice, as happens with tea, and are absorbed faster.
Herbal teas
Since herbal teas are prepared on the basis of various herbs and infusions, the caffeine content in them is reduced, and the beneficial properties are no less than those of regular tea.
This video material talks about herbs and flowers that are brewed instead of tea and coffee for health benefits.
With fireweed tea
Ivan tea has a subtle floral aroma and astringent berry taste. This plant, widely known in Ancient Rus', has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system.
With chamomile
The beneficial properties of chamomile tea do not disappear even after brewing in boiling water. It contains a lot of vitamin C and ascorbic acid, which prevents the development of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. Chamomile tea also removes toxins and calms the nervous system.
With linden
Linden tea contains vitamin C, essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, sucrose and glucose, carotene, coumarin, saponins and other useful micro- and macroelements. It has a general strengthening effect and prevents the development of many viral and infectious diseases.
With thyme
Thyme is rich in potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, selenium and iron. It should be used against colds, as well as to calm the nervous system, remove kidney stones and cure cystitis.
With mint
Mint tea soothes, has an antispasmodic effect, improves women's health, prevents the development of skin diseases and lowers high blood pressure.
Ethnic herbal teas
Various tea additives, traditional for certain cultures, are becoming popular around the world due to their amazing health properties.
Rooibos
African herbal tea Rooibos helps eliminate acute allergic attacks, improves skin condition, quenches thirst and is a good antispasmodic. Recently, it has become a very fashionable drink: it can be found in any cafe and grocery store.
Mate
The South American drink Mate serves as a source of energy, increasing the overall tone of the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant, combining antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Lapacho
Having been loved by the ancient Incas, Lapacho also gained recognition in the Western world due to its positive effects on the circulatory system, stimulating the immune system and relieving headaches.
Hibiscus
The popular hibiscus herbal tea is endowed with a huge amount of biologically active substances and organic acids. It helps cope with stress, depression and is recommended during rehabilitation therapy after heart attacks and strokes.
Chicory
Chicory is a full-fledged analogue of coffee, which sets energy for the whole day; it does not contain caffeine and does not cause dependence on consumption, so it will be an excellent replacement for tea. Chicory improves performance, eliminates chronic loss of strength, removes toxins and excess bile, thins the blood, restores men's health and is recommended during pregnancy as a caffeine replacement.
Kerob
Although this name is unknown to a large number of people, kerob is a natural substitute for cocoa powder. It contains vitamins B, PP, C, E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, phosphorus, sodium, dietary fiber, ash and saturated fatty acids.
Barley-rye drinks
Powdered drinks based on barley and rye have all the same properties as tea. It is recommended to buy ready-made store-bought mixtures, because... they have already adjusted the proportions and eliminated unpleasant tastes. First of all, you should pay attention to brands such as “Barley Ear”, “Old Mill”, “Huppiness”, etc.
Rooibos
Photo: all4women.co.za
Rooibos, rooibos or Bushmen's drink is another exotic tea that is loved by many on our continent. According to representatives of African tribes, it is this drink that gives strength to survive in the difficult conditions of Africa.
Rooibos infusion is healthy and pleasant to the taste. The drink is recommended for everyone for whom caffeine is contraindicated - rooibos does not contain it, but it is an excellent tonic. Thus, it is an excellent replacement for tea or coffee.
Cocoa
Cocoa has a tonic effect. The drink helps increase concentration. Cocoa improves your mood. It increases endurance.
Cocoa beans contain a lot of useful substances:
- magnesium. This substance promotes muscle relaxation. Magnesium helps cope with stress;
- iron. It helps fight anemia;
- chromium. This substance helps maintain glucose levels in the body at an optimal level;
- serotonin. It prevents the occurrence of depression.
Chicory
Photo: fineartamerica.com
The root of this plant has proven itself as a complete coffee substitute. The exquisite taste properties of chicory were discovered in France during the blockade, when the people of the country were deprived of both coffee and sugar. Gourmets consider chicory “a separate player in the hot drinks market” and believe its comparison with coffee is unfair.
Chicory is also useful. Compared to coffee, it does not harm, but benefits the cardiovascular system. Moreover, according to doctors, this wonderful root has no contraindications.
"Golden" milk
A drink based on milk and turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicine. With its help, you can not only cheer up, but also cleanse blood vessels and improve your complexion.
It is recommended to start drinking this drink little by little, with small portions, which will avoid the occurrence of allergies. It is enough to mix 1 tsp. in a glass of milk, put on low heat and wait for bubbles to appear. To improve the taste, add cinnamon and almond syrup.
True, it is better to avoid it for those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract and during pregnancy.
Lemon-honey drink
Photo: purebread.co.nz
Useful, invigorating and accessible to everyone. Despite its apparent simplicity, this drink can energize, awaken and give vitality for the whole day. Lemon is incredibly rich in vitamin C, honey is also not inferior in the presence of active substances, but it is the combination of these two products that works as a natural energy drink.
The recipe is simple - dissolve a spoonful of honey in warm water and add lemon juice. The drink is especially relevant in winter, during times of flu and colds, as it has an immune-strengthening effect.
Rose hip
Photo: organicfacts.net
Rosehip infusion can be drunk daily. It gives strength, strengthens the immune system, which means it can easily replace both tea and coffee drinks. Fans of rosehip claim that it is a cure for all diseases.
There are a lot of recipes for brewing rose hips. The following method promises the maximum healing effect: Pour a tablespoon of dry fruits into two glasses of boiling water, after which it should be left for a day in a thermos. You can add honey or sugar to taste.
Uzvar
Photo: bm.img.com.ua
Uzvar or vzvar is a real field for improvisation. The drink is prepared by bringing water to a boil with the addition of herbs and dried fruits. There are a huge number of recipes for creating uzvar, and everyone can come up with their own. Dried fruits are often used for preparation - rose hips, apples, plums, apricots, etc.
The recipe is to bring water to a boil, then add dried fruits and herbs and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes. After this time, sugar is added, stirred and cooked for another five minutes. Then the uzvar is removed from the heat and infused for 2-3 hours under a closed lid.
Masala
A warming and invigorating drink according to the Indian recipe is masala tea. It is prepared on the basis of black tea, adding milk and spices: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel. You can add other spices - almonds, nutmeg, licorice root.
In India, spiced tea is drunk for breakfast or at street food stalls to perk up the day. The aroma of this drink awakens no worse than the usual smell of coffee. But masala is not only a boost of energy. Fennel is beneficial for digestion, while cloves will help you stay healthy during cold season. According to Indian tradition, the drink must be high in calories, so a sweetener must be added to it.
