Caffeine Alternatives For You

Many of us look forward to that first hot cup of coffee in the morning – it’s how we start the day, right? We feel that the caffeine in our first cup of coffee gives us the energy and alertness we need to get the day moving. Without it we might feel a little sluggish or have foggy thinking. The question is do we need it or just want it because it has been part of our daily routine for so long?

Perhaps you are rethinking your intake of caffeine. You’ve heard that caffeine isn’t good for you. But then you also have heard that some caffeine IS good for you. Confusing? Yes it is.

According to the Mayo Clinic up to 400 mg of caffeine (about 4 cups of coffee or 2 energy shot drinks) is generally safe for most healthy adults. However, there are some healthy adults that experience side effects from even a small amount of caffeine. These could include restlessness, insomnia, headaches or irritability. So it comes down to how YOUR body reacts to it and YOUR choices.

For those who are looking for alternatives to the caffeine in their morning coffee because of the negative reactions they might experience, or they don’t care for coffee but want that extra energy and alertness caffeine could provide, there are options.

Tea is often a common coffee alternative beverage. Green tea, for example, contains caffeine but also contains the amino acid L-Theanine known to support calmness, so the jittery effects of caffeine may not be as pronounced as when coffee is consumed.

Carob may offer a way to feel energized. It comes from the fruit pods of the carob tree and has a similar taste to chocolate. Maca, a cruciferous vegetable mainly grown in Peru, may also be an alternate option for caffeine to help combat tiredness and support alertness.

So there are a number of options for additional energy and focus, and these may or may not work for you. But have you ever considered it might be something as simple as missing key nutrients? Are you taking vitamin supplements? Many of us know that B-Vitamins are important for supporting energy production and we might be taking a supplement – but is it the most effective one? Are you absorbing and utilizing those B-Vitamins from your supplement? Do you know what to look for?

B-Vitamins are essential (must be consumed) water soluble nutrients we use up very quickly. Yes, they are important for energy production, but also play a role in carbohydrate metabolism, immune system and cardiovascular system support and keeping our hair, skin and nails healthy

However, all B-Complex supplements are not created equal. You want to look for the coenzyme forms of your B-Complex because that means they are biologically active to support utilization of these essential nutrients. This is also where it is important to read the supplement facts panel because not all products labeled Coenzyme B-Complex contain all 7 of the coenzyme B Vitamins. One product that does is the Country Life® Coenzyme B-Complex.

If you have never taken an additional B-Complex, now might be the time to give it a try (And remember, we always recommend you contact your health care provider before changing any of your current supplement regimen) If you have tried another B-complex and didn’t notice a difference, consider the Country Life® Coenzyme B-Complex. If you are currently taking another B-Complex perhaps switching to the Country Life® Coenzyme B-Complex would be something to consider. Try it for at least a month and see how you feel. If you have not tried the Country Life® Coenzyme B-Complex perhaps now is the time you should.

If you are looking to reduce your caffeine intake for whatever reason or just looking to support/promote your energy levels without adding more caffeine into your diet, you can see there are many options. We always recommend a healthy diet, exercise and hydration as your foundation and then build your supplement regimen from there to #PowerYourGreatness!