Coffee has long been considered a morning ritual, providing energy and concentration boost. Not to mention its many health benefits like vitamin C and B12 content as well as fighting free radicals that damage cells, increase cancer risks, dementia risk and promote aging – per the National Coffee Association.

But, if you find that coffee gives you headaches, acidity or GI distress issues, jitters or simply don’t suit you anymore, then perhaps it is time to find healthy alternatives like green tea as an alternative beverage. There are numerous choices out there which might work better.

Yerba Mate, Matcha and Yaupon Tea have become increasingly trendy over time, drawing in new customers looking for coffee flavor without the associated jitters or caffeine crashes. While higher than herbal teas in terms of caffeine content, they provide milder stimulation while being packed with antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that provide plenty of health benefits.

Yerba Mate is made from the leaves of the South American native yerba plant that closely resembles coffee in appearance. Yerba mate contains more caffeine than green tea but less than coffee for an energy boost similar to coffee; additionally it’s loaded with antioxidants and has its own distinct, slightly sweet flavor.

Matcha is an emerging wellness trend worth the hype. A powdered green tea that provides more sustained energy than coffee while being packed with antioxidants, matcha can be combined with natural sweeteners such as Stevia for an energy boost that is lower in caffeine than coffee beverages.

Add healthy fats like coconut oil or MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) butter for extra ketosis support or make a protein smoothie as another form of energy and muscle health support.

Astragalus Herb

An integral component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Astragalus root herb (also referred to as milk vetch or huang qi) can help fight stress hormones and fatigue while protecting brain and heart health by providing antioxidant protection against oxidative stress.

Astragalus root can be enjoyed as either an organic and/or non-GMO beverage when combined with hot water or mixed with milks and natural sweeteners to produce an instant coffee-like beverage. You could add other beneficial herbs like ginseng or liquorice extract for additional benefits, while turmeric or dandelion root may also work just as well. Whenever possible, organic and non-GMO versions should be sought out, since this will benefit both you and the environment.