Cut Out Caffeine!

If you feel that you just can’t get going without your daily coffee, listen up! There’s hope for you yet. A caffeine addiction may keep you awake, but there are plenty of healthy alternatives that can keep the bounce in your step that don’t have caffeine’s dark side. Research has implicated caffeine, and coffee in particular, in migraines, metabolic problems, high blood pressure, and sleep dysfunction. Conflicting research shows that moderate, regular amounts of caffeine may protect the body against Alzheimer’s, eye spasms, gout, and diabetes. The jury is still out on the final verdict, but all sources generally agree that the best caffeine intake is minimal: two to three cups per day (no more than 300 mg).

If you’re looking to cut your caffeine intake, there are several caffeine-free options:
Green tea—packed with antioxidants and associated with reduced cancer risk, reduced heart disease, and helping dieters

Teeccino—flavored, herbal coffee made from roasted herbs, nuts, grains, and fruits

Roasted dandelion root tea—an herbal and medicinal tea with excellent benefits for the liver

Rooibos tea—fresh, additive-free, preservative-free; popular in South Africa among children and adults; used to treat insomnia, high antioxidants and a low amount of tannins, which can negatively impact metabolism

Don’t want to completely give up your daily dose of joe? You can cut your caffeine consumption gradually in order to avoid withdrawal side effects like
headaches, restlessness, and tremors. Experts recommend phasing out coffee over time and using tricks like mixing half regular and half decaffeinated coffee together or using instant coffee, which has significantly less caffeine than regular. Additional factors to consider are nutrition, exercise, and sleep—eating well-balanced meals, staying active, and getting a good night’s rest will help you in your transition.

Sources:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Coffee-Alternatives-for-Coffee-Addicts.htm
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/17393530.htm