Coffee. Some like it hot. But which is better for you? Hot or cold brew?

5 May

Did you know, coffee could be adding to your body’s stress response?

We do love coffee, with its numerous potential health-promoting properties packed with various bioactive compounds, it can provide some potent therapeutic effects. However, not everyone gets on with it. It can increase our cortisol, and deplete our magnesium and B vitamins which are important for hormones and energy levels. Jitters, anxiety, a racing heart are only some of the rubbish side effects that it can make us feel. It can also disrupt our sleep and cause energy slumps, especially in the afternoon.

If it doesn't make you feel good, it’s not really for you.

studionourish_blog_coffee — Image from: Ben Kolde

If you depend on that energy kick in the morning, perhaps consider this…caffeine prevents the ‘i am tired’ signal by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine. However your brain and body have learnt to expect the coffee’s stimulating effects each morning, and so anticipate it. By drinking a caffeine-free drink instead, your body will learn to make its own energy.

Give some of these alternatives a go, you can still have a ‘coffee routine’ if that's what you love in the mornings and use your normal coffee brewing methods too.

See if you notice any difference in how you feel across the day.

These options are packed full of nutrients and don't strain our nervous systems, or any other system for that matter.

Cacao

Increases blood flow to the brain, increasing mental agility, and focus from its high amount of chromium.
A natural stress reliever. It contains magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and phosphorus which trigger the release of dopamine and endorphin and contribute to our cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Contains the ‘bliss molecule’ - anandamide. A natural pleasure molecule that interlocks onto the cannabinoid receptor sites of the nervous system.

Buy our favourite ones, Ritual Cacao here or Forever Cacao here

studionourish_blog_coffee_ritualcacao — Ritual Cocao

Dandelion coffee

A coffee-like taste, but a little less bitter and sweeter
High in iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, vitamins A, B, C, and D
Probiotics help feed your gut with good bacteria, and immune-boosting
Excellent for digestion - the bitter taste stimulates stomach juices to improve nutrient absorption from what you eat

Buy our favourite one, Aquasol here or try making your own with this simple recipe!

studionourish_blog_coffee_dandelion — Chicory root coffee

Chicory coffee

Coffee-like (another legitimate coffee substitution!)
rich in fibre (bowel health) and prebiotics to feed your gut with healthy bacteria
Contains manganese and B6, essential nutrients for your brain - antioxidative properties fight those nasty free-radicals and can speed up your brains electrical signals improving brain function
Protective effect on the liver

Buy our favourite one, WholeEarth here