Ahhh Coffee... The intoxicating aroma, the crema, delicious bitterness, pleasant warmth, and of course the sense of alertness that helps me start (or continue) my day.
As you may have guessed, I really like my coffee. Over the years I have become more and more of a coffee enthusiast. I know exactly what level of roasting and grind I like, where the most delicious beans come from and where (apart from my own kitchen) you can get some good coffee and where it is not worth the effort.
Until recently, I would drink coffee about three times a day. It looked like this: In the morning, just after I opened my eyes, I would wobble to the kitchen, turn on my super automatic espresso machine that would grind some fresh dark roasted coffee beans, and give me a cup of fresh, fragrant Americano. I would sit on the couch with my coffee and my phone and slowly wake up, enjoying the warmth and bitterness going down my throat. Just before noon, when I start to get a little hungry, needing a break from work, I would indulge myself with another cup of coffee, this time with a splash of soymilk and a few drops of stevia. In the afternoon, around 4 o'clock, I would start to feel a drop in my energy level, but the day has to go on – I need to bring back one kid from preschool, take another kid to dance class, play, help third kid with homework, make dinner and on and on... I need more coffee to do it all!
Sound familiar?
So what is coffee really, and is it good for us or not?
Over the last few decades, the coffee fruit has become a highly commercial product which includes a vast variety of services and related products, like drive-thrus, seasonal barista drinks, and capsules delivery. As a society, we have developed social coffee ceremonies and rituals (like meeting for coffee). As individuals we’ve become physically and psychologically dependent on it for energy and comfort, some of us unable to imagine getting through the day without coffee.
The whole concept of a "coffee break" is a contradiction within itself – on the one hand the coffee-break gives us legitimacy to stop our daily race, rest and recharge, but at the same time gives us a false energy-boost to get on with our day. We are addicted to this drug and we know that if we stop, we’ll probably suffer from lack of energy and possibly withdrawal symptoms.
So why in the world should I stop drinking coffee?
1. The false energy boost Leeds us to believe that we have energy that we don’t so we drain out our energy resources even more. It also reduces our sleep quality at night by sending signals to the brain to wake up, in some cases hundreds of times through the night.
2. Coffee Addiction interferes with serotonin secretion in the brain. Serotonin is necessary for proper sleep, bowel function, mood and energy levels.
3. Coffee raises adrenaline levels in the body which in turn elevates cortisol levels, that signals insulin to up-regulate. The insulin increases the inflammation in our body and tells the body to store energy in fat cells.
4. The caffeine habit lowers insulin sensitivity making it more difficult for your cells to react properly to blood sugar. High blood sugar levels result in the deterioration of the arteries and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
5. The acidity of the coffee may cause flatulence, digestive problems, heartburn, and intestinal dysbiosis (imbalances in your gut flora).
6. Coffee is a diuretic that causes an increased secretion of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Imbalance in your electrolyte state can lead to severe systemic complications.
7. Constituents in the coffee can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs and detoxification in the liver. Additionally, some medications such as thyroid balancing meds and antidepressants are poorly absorbed, which increases symptoms among patients.
So what am I going to drink instead?
Herbal tea, of course. But also….
Here are a few suggestions for drinks that you can indulge in, which will give you a gentle energy boost while at the same time nourishing you and boosting your immune system.
Golden milk
Tasty, pleasing, warming and strengthening the immune system – All that I need in one cup!
Turmeric is an antioxidant which reduces inflammation, boosts metabolism, improves digestion, helps cleanse toxins, and decreases tension.
Ginger reduces pain and regulates digestion, anti-inflammatory, good for cough, and strengthens the immune system.
Cinnamon has a warming affect, it balances blood sugar and blood pressure, helps in digestion and detoxification, and supports flu recovery.
How to prepare?
Ingredients:
5-6 slices fresh ginger
5-6 slices fresh turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder or one cinnamon stick
1/2 Cup boiling water
1/2 Cup hot almond milk
1 teaspoon honey or a few drops of stevia
Preparation:
Put the ginger, turmeric and cinnamon in a glass and pour boiling water on them.
Wait 5 minutes and add the honey and the almond milk (hot or cold).
Drink as is or strain and drink.
Nettle-Melissa Tea
This tea is excellent for cold hot days – very refreshing and stimulating.
Nettle and Melissa are incredible adaptogenic herbs. they help lower oxidative stress levels in the body and regulate many hormone-related functions.
Nettle contains large quantities of iron, antioxidants, vitamin C, helps treat allergies, aids the absorption of vitamins, and reduces inflammation.
Melissa, also known as Lemon balm, reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood, reduces flatulence and intestinal discomfort, improves sleep, improves memory power, and helps protect against viruses and bacteria.
Preparation:
Steep the nettle and melissa leaves in boiled water for at least 5 minutes. Strain into a glass with ice and drink.
Matcha Latte
Matcha is actually a Japanese green tea plant that has not been exposed to the Sun. It contains a very high amount of antioxidants, help with cholesterol balancing, fights several kinds of cancer, promotes weight loss, improves immune system function and more. It contains caffeine which is absorbed slowly in the body giving a feeling of pleasant awakening without spiking the adrenaline. Matcha sooths and revitalizes at the same time.
Matcha tea has a few levels of quality. I recommend getting the highest quality - organic Ceremonial grade, and keeping it refrigerated after opening.
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon of organic ceremonial grade Matcha powder
1/2 cup hot water (not boiling)
1/2 cup soy milk
Preparation:
Put the matcha powder in a glass and add about half a cup of hot water. Stir for about 30 seconds. Whip the milk or heat it up and add the tea to it. Sweeten as desired.
