What can you drink instead of coffee for cheerfulness in the morning and how to replace it — Top 6 drinks

Most people, wanting to wake up faster, start the morning with a cup of fragrant coffee. The caffeine and antioxidants of the drink stimulate and instantly start the body's work at full capacity.

However, according to research , the same caffeine threatens with negative consequences: dehydration, high blood pressure, irritability and headaches.

Do you want to replace coffee in the morning with equally invigorating, but less harmful drinks? There is a lot of choice, the main thing is to find the best option for you. In this article, we will talk about what exactly can be replaced with a coffee drink in order to maintain a sense of vivacity and energy.

Why is a coffee drink invigorating?

If you are offered a "cup of invigorating drink", you will no doubt understand that we are talking about coffee. But why does it energize and keep you awake? What is the mechanism of its action? This will be answered by the composition of energetika, which includes:

1. A vasoconstrictor with a hypertensive effect – caffeine, known to all;
2. Vasodilators substances with antihypertensive properties such as theobromine, theophylline and vitamin PP;
3. Other substances – fats, caffeinated acid, nitrogenous compounds, phenolic derivatives of pyridine, acetic acid and others.

Immediately after you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine is quickly absorbed, which leads to an increase in blood pressure . In addition, caffeine's molecular structure resembles adenosine, a substance that regulates the mechanisms of wakefulness and sleep. By replacing adenosine, caffeine prevents it from connecting to adenosine receptors and signaling a desire to sleep. More detailed about the effect of coffee on the brain can be read in a separate article.

In just a quarter of an hour you will feel the tonic effect of the drink: fatigue and general weakness will go away, and they will be replaced by cheerfulness and clarity of thought.

How does the tonic effect manifest itself?

1. Waking up from sleep. Is accompanied by the activation of mental processes and the disappearance of inhibition.
2. Palpitations. Blood pressure may increase or breathing may become more frequent due to the rapid saturation of the brain with oxygen.
3. Active work of the gastrointestinal tract. Appetite appears, accompanied by the release of gastric juice.
4. Acceleration of metabolism. The body gets rid of toxins, it becomes easier for it.

Without an additional cup of coffee "dope", the surge of energy is quickly replaced by a state of fatigue, and this is natural. Initially, the high concentration of caffeine obtained begins to decrease, and vasodilator compounds become the leaders – the exact opposite of vasoconstrictor caffeine. The pressure decreases, and the short-term tonic effect develops into malaise . Do not rush to sip a new portion of coffee at this stage. It threatens with increased heartbeat, tinnitus, insomnia, excessive excitability. All this applies to coffee tablets, as well as any other products and beverages containing caffeine.

However, a rested body does not need a new dose of caffeine in the morning. Even after coffee is eliminated from the body, adenosine receptors are blocked for 5-6 hours and do not provide information about fatigue.

Now let's talk about other drinks that replace natural coffee and have similar properties and effects on the human body.

What can be replaced with — 6 options

Coffee is not the only "recharge" option. Its invigorating element, caffeine, is found in various foods. These are tea leaves, cocoa beans, nuts, cola and others.

You can enhance the invigorating effect of coffee not by its quantity, but by combining it with other products, for example, with juice or a slice of grapefruit or lemon. So, what can I drink instead of morning coffee?

1. Black tea

The triumphal march of tea around the world has been going on for much more than a millennium. This is not surprising: the content of various chemicals in it reaches 300 species.

Mechanism of action: Thein, especially in freshly brewed high-quality tea, has a positive effect on the brain : The functional parts of the brain begin to work quickly and in a coordinated manner.

A person feels vivacity, lightness in the body, a decrease in the feeling of fatigue. According to Professor Pavlov I.P., thein triggers the processes of excitation and slows down the processes of inhibition. Due to the expanded vessels, oxygen is able to reach all cells. The heart works more actively, sensitivity increases.

Useful properties: Tea contains many vital minerals (for example, calcium, manganese, fluorine). According to scientists, about 4 cups of black tea can provide the human body with a daily allowance of important minerals.

2. Green tea

Green tea was nicknamed "pharmacy in a cup" for its healing properties, a large amount of vitamins and other useful substances.

Mechanism of influence: The tonic effect of green tea is provided by the caffeine (thein) contained in it. And although its amount exceeds the amount of caffeine in coffee, it acts softer and longer due to the fact that it is combined with tannin.

The tonic effect is maximally manifested in the first half hour, and then decreases very slowly over 4-5 hours. It's nice that the excitement caused by tea is not followed by oppression. There are other benefits of green tea as a tonic drink:

1. Acceleration of conditioned reflexes formation . Due to the increased processes of excitation with constant processes of inhibition in the nervous system.
2. Increased reaction speed . Because information processing and transmission of nerve impulses by the brain are accelerated.
3. Long-term tonic effect on the nervous system . A certain set of vitamins and trace elements is responsible for this. It helps to increase resistance to extreme stimuli.

Also Green tea improves a person's memory and attention.

Energy from green tea is received not only by the brain, but also by the human muscular system. Indirectly affecting the body, the drink makes it easier to tolerate heavy physical and nervous loads, for which it is loved by travelers, hunters, geologists.

Advantages: Green tea retains more nutrients compared to black, red and yellow teas due to the fact that it does not undergo fermentation. And its exceptional feature is not to release useless or harmful substances into the solution.

3. Chicory

Mechanism of action: The tonic effect of chicory is provided by its beneficial effect on all body systems.

Chicory is ideal for hypertension (gently reduces blood pressure), potassium and B vitamins normalize the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, acting similarly to antidepressants, relieves irritation and fatigue.

Active substances: Chicory root contains a lot of super-useful substances, vitamins and compounds. It is rich in vitamins, in particular, group B, tannins, carotene, etc. Chicory has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and metabolism, and this is provided by a high concentration of inulin. Interestingly, soluble chicory retains all the useful substances, since the dried root extract is not chemically treated during its manufacture.

The benefits of Chicory: So, is it healthy to drink chicory instead of coffee? It is almost an ideal coffee substitute for pregnant women. Chicory is a benefit to the body, the absence of caffeine and contraindications, and a taste close to coffee. Chicory can also be drunk before going to bed.

4. Cocoa

Despite having less tonic effect than morning coffee, cocoa is a popular drink.

Mechanism of action: Thanks to tonic substances – caffeine, theophylline, theobromine – and the antidepressant phenylephylamine, cocoa promotes maximum concentration and mental activity, the appearance of good mood, and increased endurance.

Untreated (cold) cocoa quickly restores muscles after hard physical work, competitions or sports activities. In this parameter, it even surpasses drinks specifically designed for athletes. But the ability to influence mood immediately removes this product from the list of people prone to panic and anxiety attacks.

Active substances: cocoa beans, from which cocoa is subsequently obtained, contain about 300 different substances that are both beneficial and harmful to the body. Magnesium is good for bones, relaxes muscles and helps to survive stress. Iron fights anemia. Chromium maintains the necessary glucose levels. Serotonin protects against depression. Bioflavonides neutralize the action of reactive oxygen species, which stimulate the growth of tumors.

Advantages: The chocolate tree is the only plant that contains anandamide and affects the brain by increasing endorphin levels.

5. Invigorating herbal teas

Herbal teas can have various effects – soothing or toning, therapeutic or vitamin…

The lack of caffeine in herbal teas allows them to be consumed with high blood pressure, as well as people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Thanks to invigorating and toning herbal teas, you will get rid of fatigue, restore strength and energy.

Which invigorating herbal teas are worth trying?

1. From St. John's wort . In addition to boosting cheerfulness, it will cure mild depression.
2. Made of rosehip and Chinese lemongrass leaves . It will increase efficiency and enhance attention due to the action of ascorbic acid and B vitamins.
3. Made of sage and rosemary. Essential oils from them quickly evaporate, so such teas do not insist for a long time.
4. From ginger root with honey . It has a warming and invigorating effect and improves brain activity.
5. With lemon balm (lemon mint) - relieves fatigue.
6. Made from a mixture of valerian root, motherwort grass and hawthorn fruits - relieves depression and improves mood.

6. Contrast/cold shower

A tonic drink is not the only way to wake up quickly and efficiently, to get a boost of energy for the whole day, a contrast or cold shower does an excellent job with this.

Cold shower: Getting cold water on the skin is stressful for the body, which stimulates the increased release of adrenaline by the adrenal glands. Of course, cheerfulness is provided in this way, but for people with heart diseases such procedures are contraindicated.

Contrast shower: Contrast shower involves alternating hot (up to 45 degrees), sometimes medium (about 35 degrees) and cold (up to 20 degrees) water. Warm water relaxes, cold water serves to strengthen blood vessels and increase their tone. Sudden temperature changes contribute to strengthening the cardiovascular system , improve blood circulation, boost immunity, harden and refresh.

And some nutritionists also advise you to try drinking only water in the morning, instead of tea and coffee.

For other drinks to replace, see the infographic:

What is better to use instead of sugar and cream?

Coffee with sugar and cream contains a lot of calories and fats. Those who are on a diet should definitely not drink such a drink. However, these products are not the only options for coffee additives. How to replace sugar and cream in coffee when losing weight and for other reasons? What ingredients will make it taste better and healthier?

1. Milk. When adding milk to coffee, the effect of vivacity slows down, does not occur so abruptly, but the effect itself is prolonged.
2. Cinnamon. A great option for losing weight due to increased activity of metabolic processes. Such a drink becomes even more effective tonic and fat-burning when ground black pepper and coriander are added to it at the tip of a knife.
3. Ginger. is also characterized by a fat burning effect. In addition, this coffee will help boost immunity and fight viruses. However, with gastritis and ulcers, you can not drink it.
4. Carnation. Coffee with cloves warms and protects against colds, is good for the stomach and blood. But hypertensive patients will have to give it up.
5. Lemon (lime) or orange. If you do not abuse such a drink, then you will strengthen the immune system, cure colds, cleanse the lymph and get rid of excess fats.
6. Honey. Perfectly replaces sugar. It is dangerous for the development of allergies, but it is useful for the liver. It will help to cleanse the body and boost the immune system.
7. Coconut oil. Relieves hunger, while containing a minimum of calories. It tones up, stimulates brain activity, and is beneficial for the stomach and intestines.

What to do during pregnancy?

Caffeine contained in coffee – a dangerous substance for an unborn baby . The mother's milk contains 1.5 times more of it than in the blood. And the effect on the fetus persists for 80 hours (compare with 5-6 hours for the adult body). What is the danger of caffeine for the fetus?

1. The absence of enzymes in the child's body that break down coffee. This slows down growth and development, causes problems with bones and body weight at birth.
2. Negative effects on cells. Cells are affected at the chromosome level, which increases the likelihood of various birth defects.
3. Increased risk of spontaneous abortion. The risk doubles when drinking 3 cups of coffee.
4. An increase in the possibility of placental bleeding, as well as difficulties with conception.

These are not all possible problems caused by caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Wouldn't it be better not to risk the child's health in vain? There are many products that can replace coffee during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Compotes, fruit drinks, juices, a drink made from chicory, some herbal infusions, weak teas (preferably white or green), cocoa (a small amount) are the best substitutes for a dangerous drink.

Interesting video

And now we invite you to familiarize yourself with the video:

Coffee is one of the most popular and ancient drinks. However, you should not abuse it. Diversify your menu and try new flavors without giving up the invigorating effect in the morning!