Three coffee alternatives to start your day right
Coffee is one of the most common ways people start their day. It’s typically seen as a must-have drink, without which many people feel they cannot be productive in their day.
There’s a reason why many people feel they cannot live without coffee, and it’s largely due to its addictive nature. The caffeine present in coffee gives the body a ‘kick’ of energy, but overtime, it can start to negatively affect the body’s natural way of producing energy. The caffeine also increases the presence of catecholamines, aka stress hormones. The stress hormones cause the release of cortisol and increases the presence of insulin, giving the body a burst of energy, which results in a harder ‘come down’ when the body returns to its natural state.
All in all? Coffee is not the best way to start your day. But of course, sometimes we need a burst of energy in the morning, to wake us up, to make us feel more productive, or simply just to get us through the morning. Our three coffee alternatives will see you starting the day, the right way…
Wheatgrass Juice
This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The taste may not be to your liking, but it can be easily drunk in a shot format, and followed with water. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health.
Kombucha
Despite existing for over 2000 years, the health benefits of kombucha have only been recently discovered by the Western world. Kombucha is a sweetened tea that is fermented with a SCOBY (a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) to become a nutrient-rich beverage. The SCOBY consumes over 90% of the sugar during fermentation, resulting in a low-sugar finished product. Kombucha is great for increasing natural energy levels, by increasing levels of blood hemoglobin, and improving oxygen flow to tissues.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a clear, milky liquid that comes from green, young coconuts. Coconut water is naturally sweet, which will give your blood sugar levels a small boost. It also contains bioactive enzymes and is full of hydrating electrolytes to help maintain hydration levels and muscle health.