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.
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.1Handpicked content: Supercharge your day with turmeric
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
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.6You don’t get that from your regular coffee...
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