Five tasty alternatives to coffee you must try

Looking for a caffeine-free change from your usual brew? Try one of these alternatives that can still get you going

Trying to break your morning coffee habit and avoid caffeine? The good news is you can still have a warming, delicious drink that will give you a lift.

Just pick one of these tasty caffeine-free options, all with extra health benefits.

1. Turmeric latte

This warm drink is a mix of turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper, blended with either almond or coconut milk.

Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that might also give you a bit of a buzz – a 2015 study by researchers at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia found that curcumin supplements boosted attention and memory within one hour of taking them.¹

Handpicked content: Supercharge your day with turmeric

2. Barley drink

Known as mugicha in Japan, a hot drink made from barley extracts is traditionally used to cool the body and has been shown to rev up circulation.²

You can drink it hot, but in Japan it’s also drunk cold as a summer pick-me-up.

Handpicked content: Why barley is great for your health

3. Chicory coffee

This warming drink is made from the root of the chicory plant, which has anti-inflammatory effects and may help protect body cells from damage from free radicals.³

4. Dandelion coffee

It’s not just a pretty yellow weed – dandelions have natural antioxidant properties too. In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science in 2010, dandelion root, used to make dandelion coffee, was found to reduce cholesterol.⁴

5. Maca

Traditionally maca is used as a libido supporter and science now appears to back this up.

Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital found it can help women whose libido flagged after taking anti-depressants,⁵ while a 2010 review published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded maca could support libido in healthy menopausal women.⁶

You don’t get that from your regular coffee...

Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP before trying any remedies.

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Sources

1. Cox KH, Pinpgas A and Scholey AB. Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25277322
2. Ashigai H, et al. Roasted Barley Extract Affects Blood Flow in the Rat Tail and Increases Cutaneous Blood Flow and Skin Temperature in Humans. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29338262
3. Rizvi W, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of roots of Cichorium intybus due to its inhibitory effect on various cytokines and antioxidant activity. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25737610
4. Choi UK et al. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2820990/
5. Dording CM et al A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/
6. Shin BC, et al. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20691074