7 Healthy Herbal Tea Blends to Replace Sugary Energy Drinks
If you’re an athlete or physically active, or if you’re studying hard or focusing on a project, chances are you turn to energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster to sustain your energy level throughout the day. These drinks seem very attractive. They give you an energy boost for a short period of time, but the fact is that this immediate and sudden energy has a heavy price. They contain huge amounts of sugar, caffeine, and artificial additives, causing several health complications, such as weight gain, diabetes, insomnia, anxiety, and health problems in the long run.
But are you ready to put aside these energy drinks and go for healthier alternatives? There are several herbal tea blends that not only are healthy but also give roughly the same energy kick.
In this article, we’ll explore why energy drinks are so popular, what health issues they cause in the long run, and what their herbal, organic alternatives are to keep us energetic during strenuous activities or focus-intensive work.
Why َAre Energy Drinks Popular?
The popularity of energy drinks is due to a simple reason: their effects kick in very fast. Sugar and caffeine together release an immense amount of energy, giving our body energy and keeping our mind focused. Although I believe it tastes like cough syrup, the taste also appeals to young individuals, students, athletes, and other adults. Added to that are the clever marketing and advertising, making energy drinks a sort of holy grail that will transform your performance, productivity, and focus.
But what happens afterwards? The energy boost effect is all but temporary. It usually lasts for a few hours. Shortly after, energy subsides, followed by heart palpitations and fatigue. You’ll feel more tired than before drinking.
What is not temporary, however, is a sharp spike in blood sugar level and the body’s dependency on sugar and caffeine in the long term. This doesn’t sound good, right? These are what manufacturers don’t talk about?
What Are The Side Effects of Drinking Energy Drinks Regularly?
The root of all evil in energy drinks is sugar. Almost all energy drinks contain a lot of sugar. A can of Red Bull, for example, contains 27 grams of sugar, which is on the border of our recommended daily intake. Sugar is the main reason for obesity and greatly increases the risk of diabetes.
Sugar amount isn’t the only problem with energy drinks. Caffeine also plays a significant role. Consuming a large amount of caffeine, which is another ingredient in energy drinks, causes insomnia, increased heart rate, anxiety, and digestive problems. Together with sugar, they exacerbate the ill effects on our health and well-being.
And last but not least, additives and artificial colorings in energy drinks mess with hormones, cause liver damage, and kidney dysfunction in the long term. For this reason, it is best for every athlete to replace them with natural and healthy drinks.
7 Herbal Teas, A Healthy and Natural Alternative
Herbal tea blends are similar to traditional black tea we all know and love. But the difference is that you mix a combination of natural herbs, fruits, and spices together and steep them in water or brew them in a teapot. The result is a pleasant taste, fantastic aroma, and loads of health benefits. One of the unique characteristics of herbal teas, apart from quenching your thirst, is sustaining your body with a reliable source of energy.
Unlike industrial drinks, herbal teas do not contain sugar, artificial colors, and other chemical additives and preservatives. You can prepare them both hot and cold. You don’t have to drink hot tea during exercise. You can prepare a cup of cold brew herbal tea.
Infusion is also another tasty way to prepare your organic energy drink. Infusions have detox effects and help your overall gut health. But you really seek sweet drinks, there are several natural and healthy sweeteners to make it a tasty one without the guilt of consuming sugar.
Let’s see what herbal drinks are reliable alternatives to sugary energy drinks.
#1 Green Tea and Peppermint
One of the easiest choices is green tea, one of the most popular herbal teas in the world. You can brew a cup of green tea, hot or cold. Green tea naturally has a small amount of caffeine, which gives the body good and sustained energy.
Add some peppermint to your green tea for a perfect organic energy drink. Mint adds a feeling of coolness and freshness to your drink, making it great during hot summer days. You can add a teaspoon of honey to your cup if you want a sweet herbal drink.
#2 Matcha Tea and Latte
Matcha is a concentrated green tea powder that is very high in antioxidants and releases energy gradually. With the powder and matcha brewing kit, you can brew a delicious cup of matcha tea. Matcha is versatile. If you add milk instead of water when brewing, you will have a tasty cup of matcha latte, which gives you even more energy.
You can brew both matcha tea and latte hot and cold. I personally prefer the cold brew matcha tea when I go for a jog. It’s easier to brew and releases the energy more efficiently.
#3 Ginger Tea and Peppermint
Ginger has a spicy, warming flavor and helps boost your metabolism. When you add peppermint and maybe a little honey, it turns into a great pre-workout energy drink, especially if you cold brew it.
For an enhanced flavor, add a few drops of lemon juice as well. You can easily brew hot ginger tea or prepare ginger and peppermint infusion to drink as a cold, refreshing energy drink during a workout session.
#4 Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce fatigue. This tea has a slightly sour, but very delicious taste in taste. To make a hot cup of hibiscus tea, add dried hibiscus flowers to hot water and steep for about 5 to 7 minutes. If you add a few slices of fresh orange, you’ll experience a unique taste while adding to its health benefits.
You can also brew it cold. Wait for the hot tea to cool to room temperature. Then add a few ice cubes. If sour taste doesn’t suit you, then add honey to soften the taste and enjoy an energetic herbal drink.
#5 Iced Black Tea
Black tea has more caffeine than green tea. Therefore, it is a good healthy drink for days when you have a harder workout to need to focus and study hard. Brewing a cup of traditional black tea is very simple. Choose your favorite black tea brand and add it to a cup of hot water.
You can also add a few chopped strawberries and ice for a refreshing cup of iced tea. The fruity taste of strawberries makes this drink more hearty. A little fresh lemon also makes it fresher.
#6 Cacao Tea
No! Cacao tea isn’t the sugary chocolate milk. It’s a whole new experience in tea drinking. Cacao tea is a hot drink you can brew by steeping cacao beans in hot water. It’s simple to brew, energizing, and has loads of benefits.
You also have a wide range of options to add to your cup of cacao tea to enhance the flavor. Cinnamon, orange zest, and milk are what I like to add to mine. I have a post where I wrote everything you should know about cacao tea. It also includes recipes and cacao tea brands you may like.
#7 Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is a trending herbal drink. It is caffeine-free but rich in minerals that give your body sustained energy. I drink hot rooibos tea from time to time, but I really like it cold and refreshing, especially during the workout at the gym.
To brew a hot cup of rooibos tea, pack your infuser with dried rooibos and steep in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also add a few apple slices and a pinch of cinnamon to make it an even more energizing mocktail with a lovely taste. If you like it cold like me, just let it cool down to room temperature. Then add a few ice cubes.
Conclusion
Athletes need natural, sustained energy more than anything else, but sugary energy drinks only provide false energy and habituate the body to sugar and caffeine. Simple blends like herbal and fruit teas can be the best alternative, they are both low in calories, full of beneficial compounds, and add a fresh flavor to your workout days. If you want to keep your workouts energized and have a healthy body, trying one of these teas can be a good start. Just take a little time and make a cup of healthy tea to keep your body going.
