A significant emerging trend in caffeine consumption has led to a growing market of healthier alternatives to coffee and energy drinks. With the UK consuming approximately 95 million cups of coffee daily, along with its well-established tea and energy drink addictions, the reliance on caffeine has become a part of everyday life. However, recent interest in natural alternatives such as matcha and mushroom-based coffees has been on the rise, offering consumers a potentially healthier option.
In an effort to reduce her coffee intake, one individual decided to explore some unconventional energy boosters. After noticing extravagant spending on takeaway coffees and an excessive supply of Red Bulls and tea at home, she embarked on a trial of various caffeine alternatives for five weeks, excluding all other stimulants. The results were surprising, leading her to claim that she wouldn’t go back.
First on the list was matcha, a powdered green tea known for its health benefits and sustained energy release due to consuming the whole leaf. Despite a different taste, the earthy drink provided a satisfactory substitute for coffee without the lingering aftertaste. Although the caffeine hit wasn’t as intense, it offered sustained productivity and activity levels. However, matcha can be a pricier option compared to coffee.
Moving on to more unconventional choices, the individual tested a mouth spray from Lucid, which claimed to provide sustained energy and focus. Despite an off-putting taste, the spray proved effective in maintaining productivity without causing crashes, highlighting its potential as an alternative energy source.
Next, she explored mushroom coffees, which contain ingredients like Lion’s Mane and Ginkgo Biloba and are marketed as “coffees” with enhanced nootropic blends. These fruity blends provided a similar energy boost as coffee in the short term but lacked sustainability throughout the day. When used in combination with regular coffee consumption or as a later alternative, they proved to be a suitable replacement without disrupting sleep patterns.
Lastly, non-liquid alternatives in the form of Mushroom Gummies were tested, offering a blend of mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps to enhance brain function and natural energy. While these gummies supported physical activity levels, they didn’t match the productivity or focus levels provided by coffee.
Ultimately, combining these various caffeine alternatives proved to be an effective strategy in reducing coffee and energy drink consumption. Although the convenience and affordability of coffee remain unmatched, these alternatives offer a promising way to reduce reliance on traditional stimulants.