If you are a dedicated coffee drinker, the idea of switching to anything else or scaling back may seem implausible. After all, coffee is a reliable source of energy for most, and it can be hard to imagine a coffee alternative measuring up to maintain your daily ritual.
However, it's important to consider coffee's negative effects on the body, including stomach pain and disrupted sleep. These effects may not always be immediately apparent or true for everyone, but they can still occur over time. With that in mind, here are 5 reasons why you should switch to a coffee alternative or cut back by adding a healthy counteractant to your morning brew:
- High Levels of Caffeine
A single 8oz cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, which is only a quarter of the dangerous dose. However, caffeine can still cause adverse side effects, especially when consumed in large amounts. Medical News Today states that caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, increasing dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamate. This means too much caffeine can cause symptoms like anxiety, dehydration, headaches, restlessness, insomnia, and more due to the disruption of serotonin regulation in the brain. While the short-term effects of caffeine may not be significant, long-term lack of sleep and anxiety can negatively impact the body.
- Impact on Blood Sugar Levels
Caffeine intake can also increase levels of stress hormones, such as epinephrine, which can inhibit the ability of cells to process sugar and reduce the production of insulin in the body.
This can particularly affect individuals with type 2 diabetes, a condition that is often linked to lifestyle and develops over time. Difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels can lead to additional complications, such as nerve damage and heart disease. Reducing caffeine intake or replacing your regular coffee with a caffeine-free alternative like fig coffee can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its associated complications.
- Lack of Nutritional Value
Although coffee contains antioxidants and acids that may offer some benefits, research suggests that it may also increase the risk of high triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Additionally, we tend to add large amounts of sugar and creamer to our coffee, increasing the sugar and fat content, leading to heart disease, high blood sugar, and other health issues.
- High Acidity & Impact on the Gut
Coffee's acidic nature stimulates the production of stomach acid, which can harm the gut microbiome and lead to digestive issues such as stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and heartburn.
A healthy gut is essential for proper digestion, immune system function, and overall well-being, so regularly consuming high acidity can develop issues over time.
- Coffee is Addictive
Caffeine is known to stimulate the brain and nervous system, making it a popular choice for those seeking increased alertness and energy. However, the body can become accustomed to high doses, leading to a dependence on caffeine and addiction effects similar to some illicit substances.
Your body is so accustomed to caffeine you no longer feel the effects as strongly, so you constantly up your daily intake — from the amount of coffee you drink to the number of espresso shots you add. If this rings a bell, it may be a good idea to consider switching to a caffeine-free coffee alternative like FigBrew instead. This can provide the energy needed to jumpstart your day while helping you avoid the potential risks in your regular cup of coffee.
So What Should You Look for in a Coffee Alternative?
If you're having a hard time giving up your daily coffee routine, we have some good news — FigBrew has a solution for you! Our coffee alternative doesn't sacrifice the look, taste, or brewing method you love about coffee. Made from organic roasted figs with a subtle flavor and rich taste similar to coffee, you can prepare FigBrew products just like you would coffee (in a coffee maker, French press, pour-over, or single-use pods). Plus, figs offer a lot of nutritional value, including soluble fiber, minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper, as well as vitamins A and K, which can help improve digestion, boost immunity, support bone health, and regulate blood sugar levels.
For those of you looking to take a half-step back from coffee instead of a full step, FigBrew’s Mellow Mix is a half-caff 50/50 blend of fig and coffee. Fig works to directly counter the acid, caffeine, and blood pressure spike from coffee. When mixed with coffee, it works to keep your health in balance. With FigBrew, you can keep your morning ritual but without the harsh acids, high caffeine content, or health risks.
