(Originally published for Gladly Wellness)
"...caffeine is a curse, addicting us to a regime that makes us more tractable and productive workers, speeding us up so that we may better keep pace with the manmade machinery of modern life."
-Michael Pollan, “This Is Your Mind On Plants”
Caffeine, it runs our world but also creates a “chasing the dragon” effect of energy bursts and crashes. Caffeine is found naturally in leaves, seeds, and the fruits of many plants. Certainly, it was meant for humans to amp up productivity!
Not necessarily.
Caffeine found in plants is actually nature’s built-in defense mechanism giving it natural herbicide and pest repellent powers. At some point, humans, ancient warriors, and scholars who had work to do stumbled on its wonders in the form of cacao beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, and the bean that can now be found on every modern urban corner, the coffee bean.
Why Should You Take A Break From Caffeine
Caffeine can not only lead to crashes in energy; your body can build a dependence on a daily cup or four of coffee. In addition, large amounts of caffeine consumed daily can negatively affect mood, sleep patterns, and leave long-lasting effects on major organ systems.
What’s So Terrible About Caffeine
Caffeine is essentially the chemical component of some plants, and that jolt of energy can cause numerous undesirable side effects much more severe than insomnia. Drinking more than four servings of caffeine a day can contribute to:
Hypertension
Dehydration
Breast tissue cysts
Anxiety
Fertility Issues
Digestive issues
What To Know Before You Take a Break From Caffeine
While we may not think of caffeine as a mind-altering type of drug, it is a central nervous system stimulant that falls into the drug category. If you are thinking of taking a break from your black tea or coffee, there are a few things you should take into account first:
Cut down on your caffeine consumption slowly. Gradually reduce your consumption over 2-3 weeks to avoid withdrawal symptoms like headache, fatigue, and drowsiness.
Switch for decaf. Try alternating decaf and caffeinated tea or coffee to reduce your intake.
Set a time limit. Commit to a time to quit drinking caffeinated beverages each day.
Swap it out. Switch out your caffeinated beverage for a healthy energy-giving option, like the ones listed below.
Five Great Energy Giving Substitutes For Caffeine
One of the best upsides to swapping out caffeinated beverages is that you might find even healthier options with their alternatives. Many alternatives are nutrient-dense and provide longer-lasting energy to avoid the typical crashes associated with drinking caffeinated beverages.
A Gladly Juice
Pure juices, like Gladly, are nutrient-dense and offer a natural way to support your body in giving you energy. Drinking juice is equivalent to liquid nutrition, which gives your digestive system a break and leads to the fast absorption of nutrients that give your body a jump start without the caffeine.
Chicory Coffee
If you are a coffee lover who just misses the taste, chicory root can be roasted like coffee beans into a coffee-like alternative, giving you comfort without the caffeine.
Golden Milk
If you are missing a warm mug in your hand in the morning, Golden Milk is an excellent substitute for caffeinated tea or coffee. It is traditionally made by combining warm milk with spices such as; cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and sometimes a dash of honey. It has long been thought to boost immunity and reduce inflammation in the body.
Rooibos Tea
For the tea lovers who double up their black tea leaves for an extra caffeine kick, Rooibos Tea is caffeine free and makes a great alternative, or even an option to alternate with if your goal is just to cut back.
Brewed Cacao
Cacao is naturally bitter on its own and makes a solid substitution for a cup of dark coffee. The cacao beans are roasted similarly and have a similar flavor profile. Cacao is 99.9% caffeine free but contains theobromine, a naturally occurring phytonutrient that can give longer bursts of energy without the caffeine crash.
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