Love coffee but…
How do you like your coffee? Who wouldn’t love a good cup of coffee, made perfectly just the way you like it?
Coffee is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer and Europe as a continent is the largest coffee consumer. 62 % of Americans drink coffee daily. In Finland people drink 12 kilograms of coffee per person, per year, they sure love their coffee. And I’m a proud finnish person but have given up coffee altogether because I found a better alternative.
Do you love coffee but unfortunately your body doesn’t like it or at least has some rejection symptoms when you enjoy your daily portion of caffeine?
Moderate coffee consumption is acceptable and somewhat beneficial too, however excessive caffeine intake (coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks) can all add up with unpleasant side-effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, headaches.
Do you suffer from obsessive coffee disorder, meaning that you just cannot cope without your daily dose of overrated caffeine?
Healthy Coffee Alternatives without caffeine
There are good news for you! There are delicious healthy coffee alternatives available for you if you are willing to give it go. Trust me, your body will thank you for it.
Here are top 3 healthy coffee substitutes that you will appreciate:
Chicory Root
Chicory Root comes from a plant that is derived from the Dandelion family. It has beautiful blue flowers and has been used in traditional medicine and an alternative to coffee for centuries.
The root fiber has amazing health benefits for you. Chicory root is made of 68% of inulin, which is type of fiber called fructan.
Firstly, this type of carbohydrate is not digestible but helps with digestion. It is like a prebiotic improving the beneficial bacteria in your gut. These helpful bacteria reduce inflammation, improves immunity and enhances nutrient absorption.
Secondly, Inulin can relieve constipation due to high fiber content, that softens stool and increases the frequency of bowel movement.
Thirdly, chicory root can be useful for people with diabetes by controlling blood sugars. Inulin is an advocate in carbohydrate metabolism braking down carbohydrates into sugars and releasing sugar into blood circulation through a hormone called Insulin. Research showed that consuming Inulin decreased blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1, a marker for diabetes.
Lastly, inulin may decrease levels of hunger hormone which stimulates feelings of hunger therefore regulating appetite. Reduced appetite can help in weight loss due to reduction of calorie intake.
Chicory root can be easily added to you diet and be used as a natural alternative for coffee. It is caffeine free and tastes and appears similar to black coffee.
Burdock RootÂ
Burdock ( Arctium lappa) root comes from a vegetable that is native to northern Asia and Europe. It is very popular in China and Japan with remarkable health benefits. It has been used for traditional medicine for centuries, especially for digestive help and as a diuretic.
Firstly, Burdock vegetable root is full of antioxidants including quercetin, that helps your body to fight against oxidative stress and inflammation. Research proved that it reduced inflammation especially from osteoarthritis.
Secondly, Burdock root can be used as a detoxifying agent by purifying the blood by removing toxins from the bloodstream and increasing blood circulation on the skin.
Thirdly, Arctigenin, the active compound in burdock root, may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells in the body having potent anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. It also offers protection for brain cells called neurons.
Lastly, Burdock root has been also used widely in treating skin conditions like acne and eczema and burn injuries when topically applied.
DandelionÂ
Dried dandelion roots are roasted to dark brown colour and used as a healthy substitute of coffee.
Taraxacum officinale, common dandelion, is an herb and part of the daisy family. It is safe to consume dandelion leaves, roots and a flower. Dandelion greens can be eaten as cooked or raw like a salad. Dandelion root is often dried and consumed as a drink. It can also be eaten like any other root vegetable.
Firstly, it is a great source of Vitamin A, C, K and B. It also has several minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Secondly, the root of a dandelion has a soluble fibre called inulin. Inulin maintains the healthy bacterial balance in your gastrointestinal tract. It has been used traditionally to relieve and treat constipation and improving digestive system.
Thirdly, dandelion flower has polyphenols with properties of amazing antioxidants that fights against oxidative stress on a cellular level.
Fourthly, dandelion has been used traditionally in herbal medicine for the disorders from the liver, gallbladder, digestive tract or rheumatic diseases.
Lastly, research found that dandelion is an effective diuretic, reducing the fluids in the body and therefore reducing blood pressure too.
