Why you should replace your morning coffee
- 22 October 2024
- Lasche van Heerden
Starting your morning with a different drink instead of coffee can provide numerous health benefits. While coffee has its perks, opting for a healthier alternative first can set a better foundation for your day. Here are some reasons why:
Avoids Spiking Cortisol
- Coffee Can Raise Stress Hormones: Drinking coffee immediately after waking can elevate cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone), which is naturally high in the morning. Consistently spiking cortisol can lead to issues like anxiety, weight gain, and fatigue.
- Support Natural Hormonal Balance: By opting for a caffeine-free drink first thing, you give your body time to naturally adjust its cortisol levels, promoting better energy regulation and reducing stress.
More Stable Energy Levels
- Avoid the Caffeine Crash: Coffee gives a quick burst of energy, but it often leads to a crash later in the day, causing you to feel sluggish or reach for more caffeine.
- Sustained Energy from Alternatives: Drinks like green smoothies, matcha (which contains L-theanine), or herbal teas can provide a more gradual and steady energy boost without causing jitters or crashes.
Nutrient Absorption
- Coffee May Hinder Nutrient Absorption: The tannins in coffee can interfere with the absorption of certain minerals, such as iron and calcium. Starting your day with coffee may limit your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from your breakfast.
- Boost Nutrient Uptake: A non-caffeinated drink like a green smoothie or herbal tea can enhance nutrient absorption, making sure your body gets the maximum benefit from your first meal of the day.
Supports Blood Sugar Stability
- Caffeine Can Disrupt Blood Sugar: For some people, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause blood sugar levels to spike, leading to feelings of jitteriness, irritability, or cravings for sugar.
- Better Blood Sugar Control: A balanced morning drink like a protein-rich smoothie, or even water with a pinch of sea salt, helps stabilize blood sugar, providing lasting energy without dramatic peaks and crashes.
Prepares You for Coffee Later
- Coffee Can Be Enjoyed Later: You don’t have to give up coffee entirely! Starting your day with a different drink can help you enjoy coffee later in the morning when your body is more prepared to handle it, avoiding the cortisol spike or digestive irritation.
Better Hydration
- Coffee is Dehydrating: Coffee is a diuretic, which can cause your body to lose water. After several hours of sleep, your body is already in a mild state of dehydration. Starting with water or another hydrating drink ensures you replenish lost fluids.
- Hydrating Alternatives: Drinking water, lemon water, or herbal tea helps hydrate the body, supports cellular function, and improves skin health.
Suggested Alternatives:
- Lemon Water: Hydrates, improves digestion, and boosts vitamin C intake.
- Green Smoothie: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants to provide long-lasting energy.
- Herbal Teas: Calming and hydrating, offering various benefits depending on the herbs (e.g., chamomile for relaxation, peppermint for digestion).
- Matcha Tea: Provides a smooth energy boost with L-theanine, promoting focus without jitters.
- Coconut Water: Rich in electrolytes, perfect for hydration and energizing the body.
- Golden Milk: A warm, anti-inflammatory blend of turmeric, ginger, and coconut milk that supports digestion and immunity.
Replacing coffee with a different drink first thing in the morning supports hydration, digestion, hormonal balance, and sustained energy. You can still enjoy coffee later in the day but starting with a more nurturing option can help you feel more balanced and energized overall.