4 Ways to Wake Up Without Coffee

The most consumed drug in America is caffeine from coffee. Hands down, a high percentage of adults (and now even many teens and pre-teens) need at least one cup of coffee daily. Many consume two or more cups just to get through the day. What you and majority of people might not know is that there are other choices. Try these 4 ways to wake up without coffee using natural solutions that are less addictive and easier on your system. There are a variety to choose from giving you the opportunity to break free of the coffee caffeine addiction.

Apple of Your Eye

Wake up and eat a fresh, sweet, apple. Instead of caffeine, consume some natural sugar that has a unique release when coming from an apple. Cornell University reports on the comparison of eating an apple to wake up compared to a cup of coffee.

Coffee increases heart rate which helps “wake you up by bringing your body back to its normal levels of blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, temperature, brain activity and respiration. When your body is asleep your blood pressure falls, as well as your body temperature.” 

“Apples contain no caffeine but instead have about 13 grams of natural sugar. These sugars provoke a similar response to caffeine because vitamins from the apple are released slowly throughout the body, making you feel more awake. Unlike caffeine, there are no jolts, mood swings, anxiety, jitters or the dreaded crash. Much of the increase in energy is due to the natural glucose in the fruit, which is digested and feeds the body’s cells. The feeling of being awake lasts about as long as it takes the body to metabolize the apple and the cycle of energy reflects that of a bell curve instead of a pyramid like caffeine.”

Try an apple a day to keep your fatigue away.

Cold H20

It may sound boring and simple but one glass of cold water can jolt your system just as powerfully as coffee caffeine. A study of overweight children who drank 17 ounces of cold water per day showed a significant increase in energy aka resting energy expenditure (REE). 

“This study demonstrated an increase of up to 25% in REE following the drinking of 10 ml kg(-1) of cold water in overweight children, lasting for over 40 min…These findings reinforce the concept of water-induced REE elevation shown in adults,”

Try a tall glass of cold water upon waking then go about your routine and decide if you feel an equivalent energy increase compared to caffeine. Add lemon or any other infused fruit for additional taste and nutrients. 

Yerba Mate Tea

Brewed from leaves and twigs of a holly family plant called ilex paraguariensis, Yerba mate is a south American staple loaded with nutrients . When diluted into tea, these leaves hold about 85-160 mgs of caffeine. However, this caffeine is delivered in conjunction with a host of plant-based compounds that make for a slow energy rise and no caffeine crash. These compounds, as reported by Healthline, are described to be:

• Caffeoyl derivatives – Health-promoting antioxidants
• Saponins – Bitter compounds that have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties
• Polyphenols – A large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases
• Xanthines – Act as stimulants; include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in other teas, coffee, and chocolate

Try Yerba mate tea, either boiled in leaf form or as a pre-made cold beverage from companies like Guayaki which infuses other nutrients in cold bottle formulas. Other recommended teas are green tea, Matcha (highly potent green tea), and chai tea.

Golden Milk

Here is a beverage that is so under the radar it sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie.

Yet, this is a caffeine-free coffee substitute made from an ancient recipe of ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper and sometimes cardamom, vanilla and honey. Those who drink golden milk claim high energy and anti-inflammatory results giving this beverage a one-two punch against fatigue. 

Healthline posted this home recipe for making your own golden milk:

• In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of milk or a non-dairy alternative with 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Optionally, add honey to taste
• Warm the mixture on low to medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning
• Once heated, pour the drink into a mug and enjoy

These 4 ways to wake up without coffee are some of the top choices to give you the variety you need to go beyond the mainstream and take control of your health. Give these a try or experiment with your own ways to stave off fatigue like exercise, cold showers, or having a good hearty laugh.