Coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks all contain caffeine. Unfortunately, the caffeine you consume each day affects your health in a negative way. Change your habits and switch to caffeine alternatives as you get your energy boost and improve your health.
Benefits of Consuming Caffeine
Numerous studies show that you can gain several benefits when you consume caffeine regularly.
- Decrease risk of developing diabetes
- Enhance metabolism of glucose found in carbs
- Reduce colon cancer risk
- Boost antioxidants
- Experience higher energy
- Improve mood
Health and Life Benefits of Quitting or Reducing Caffeine
Although you may consume caffeine because you appreciate the benefits and alertness it provides, too much caffeine can cause dependency and dizziness, acid reflux and anxiety. You may even experience headaches, fatigue and irritability when you don’t get your caffeine fix. Additionally, caffeine can cause health and life challenges such as:
- Increased release of stress hormones
- Inability to regulate insulin
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Higher cholesterol levels
- More digestive discomfort
- Increase in calorie consumption, especially if you consume sugary caffeinated foods and drinks
- Lower serotonin release
- Disrupted sleep
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Imbalance in calcium, potassium and magnesium levels
- Difficulty detoxing liver
- Low birth weight and other problems in infants born to moms who consume caffeine
Healthy Caffeine Alternatives
You’ll improve your overall health when you reduce or cut caffeine from your diet. If you’re dependent on caffeine, consider making the switch gradually to these alternatives.
Rooibos tea – Gain an immune boost with this tasty hot or cold tea.
Teeccino and Cafix – Enjoy the familiar taste of coffee when you drink these two substitutes made from chicory, grain, figs and beetroot.
Ice Water – Jumpstart your metabolism, energy and focus as you fuel your body with ice water throughout the day.
B Vitamins – Gain mental clarity, energy and better sleep when you consume lean meats, nuts, seeds, and other foods that are high in B vitamins.
Apple – Open neural and muscle pathways while boosting your metabolism as you chew an apple.
Protein – Maintain energy, concentration and mood with a protein-packed meal or snack.
Ginkgo Biloba – Improve your focus, creativity and well-being when you consume this herbal extract as a tea or capsule.
Ginseng – Stimulate blood flow and reduce stress and depression with ginseng tea or capsules.
Stretch – Boost oxygen in your blood and spark alertness and focus when you stretch your body.
Cutting caffeine from your diet can improve your health and prolong your life. Talk to your doctor and health or life insurance provider for more tips as you switch to healthy caffeine alternatives and improve your overall health and well-being.
