In this Blended for Wellness, we're exploring the pros-cons to coffee consumption and getting into other options that have huge health benefits along with a mind-body boost. We're also talking about one beverage that we really want you to skip.

Black Coffee Pros & Cons

For most, one or two cups of coffee, or a small espresso, per day is ok, but there are health factors to consider (especially if you're a multi-cup drinker):

Pros:

• Increased attention (unless too much is consumed), alertness, and decreased fatigue
• Contains polyphenol antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress in your body and may reduce your risk of certain diseases
• Increased metabolic rate
• Aids in bowel movements

Cons:

• Increased anxiety
• Addiction
• Constriction of blood vessels which increases blood pressure
• Reduced control of fine motor skills
• Physical jitters/shakes
• Stimulation of urine/cause dehydration
• Insomnia (avoid consuming after 2 PM)

Natural Energy-Boosting Swaps for Caffeine

Teas - combine your caffeine fix with a huge health benefit boosting (caffeine containing teas should also be consumed in moderation - check out the Tea VS Coffee section below).

Chicory Coffee - made from chicory root as opposed to coffee beans. Low in caffeine while also having that nutty, earthy taste coffee lovers desire.

Golden Milk Latte - made from Turmeric, which has been known to ease pain and reduce symptoms of depression. Turmeric also has incredible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

​Mushroom Elixir - mushrooms have antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. For a serious natural energy boost, try incorporating Cordycep & Lions Mane mushrooms (check out our Shroom Energy blend below).

Chai Seed Drink - Chai seeds are an excellent source of sustained energy and increased endurance. They are also packed with protein, fibre, and Omega 3s (shake 2 tbsp chia seeds with 1/2 cup of any liquid).

Boost Your Mind & Body While Reducing Stress

Ginseng, Maca, Lions Mane, Cordyceps are not only amazing energy boosters, they're also adaptogens, which means that they support your body's ability to adapt to anxiety-inducing and stressful situations.

Tea VS Coffee

Black tea leaves contain 3.5% caffeine, while coffee beans have 2.2%. However, the coffee brewing process uses hotter water, which extracts more of the caffeine from the beans. Typically, you also use more coffee beans than tea leaves for a drink, giving brewed coffee more caffeine than tea cup per cup.

Teas We Love Drinking Daily

Matcha Tea

• High in antioxidants (fight free radicals & keep cells healthy)
• Reduce brain fog
• Promote heart health
• Increase metabolic rate

Peppermint Tea

• Ease an upset stomach
• Relive sinus congestion
• Fight bacterial infections
• A natural muscle relaxer, it can relive menstrual cramps, tension headaches and improve sleep

Herbal Ginger Tea

• Ease nausea
• Immunity support
• Anti-inflammatory properties it can help with pain relief and levelling blood pressure
• Regulate insulin & control blood sugar levels

Blended For Natural Energy Boosting

Here are a few essential nutrient-packed, mind and body boosting blends:

Matcha Morning: Matcha Green Tea packed, this blend is the perfect breakfast for super-charging your body & mind. It's truly an huge daily dose of health, loaded with antioxidants, 18g of protein, 90% RDI of Iron, and 10% of Riboflavin (B12) which helps to get muscles working.

Shroom Energy: perfect when we need to be firing on all cylinders, not feeling the jitters. The Cordycep & Lions Mane mushrooms + Maca booster combos help balance cortisol/keep stress levels in a lower orbit, keep your mind focused and energy up (the Maca is also a nice hormone balance support). Also an antioxidant superhero with 20g of Protein, 30% RDI of Iron and 35% of B6. Next time you need an afternoon pick me up, try a Shroom Energy.

Maca Energy: loaded with the nutty-tasting root Maca, which helps energize and is great for hormone and mood balancing. Maca Energy has 20g of Protein, 35% RDI of Iron and 35% of B6, also making it a great morning or afternoon pick me up. On the go, spoon this goodness straight from the pack.

Why We Say No to Sugary Energy Drinks

Sugary chemical-packed "Energy Drinks" are just a hard no in our world. This includes the sugar-free ones that are loaded with artificial sweeteners. Here are some of the side-effects that may result from drinking them on the regular and/or in excess:

Increased Blood Pressure & Heart Rate: studies have shown that drinking a 12-oz can of Red Bull can significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate within 90 minutes of consumption and up to 24 hrs after.

Increase type 2 diabetes risk: one 12 oz can of Red Bull contains 44 grams of refined/processed sugar

Damage to your Teeth: the acidity in energy drinks can damage tooth enamel

Negatively Affect Kidney Health: while the occasional energy drink is unlikely to cause damage, excessive consumption could lead to issues.

In excessive consumption, Energy Drinks may lead to possible toxicity.

If you have any questions or would like helping choosing your Energy-Boosting Blends, please email us at info@blendedforyou.com