Natural alternative to energy drinks

Everyone knows the feeling: the night was far too short, and yet a busy day awaits us. Relentlessly, the alarm clock greets us with its shrill tone. We greet it back - and duly with a long yawn. Reluctantly, we get up and with us the fatigue that will probably not leave our side for the next 12 hours.

To chase it away, sometimes only one thing helps: an energy drink. Isn't that unhealthy? It doesn't have to be. Because today, we can also find numerous natural alternatives to the conventional caffeine-sugar mixture, such as mate tea and Guaraná. They give us an energy boost and taste delicious on top of that! We will answer all your questions about these delicious stimulants.

What is meant by a natural energy drink?

To explain what exactly makes a natural energy drink, let's compare it with its artificial competitor. Quite classically, we usually find the latter in colourful, hip cans. Its list of ingredients is quite manageable: water, caffeine, taurine, sugar, sugar and sugar. And in some energy drinks we also find additives and flavourings. To save costs, it is not uncommon for artificially produced caffeine to be added instead of naturally derived caffeine. The bad news - you might have guessed it already: this is not particularly healthy in the long run.

But we also have good news: there are delicious, natural alternatives. These do without artificial caffeine and instead, rely on stimulants that Mother Nature has given us - cocoa, coffee beans, the mate shrub or the guarana plant.

 

How do conventional energy drinks work in our bodies?

Accompanied by the characteristic hissing sound, the can of energy drink is opened. About ten minutes later, the caffeine arrives in the bloodstream and whirls up the pulse and blood pressure: Both shoot up. In parallel, the sugar ensures that the blood sugar level rises, and on top of that it releases the happiness hormone dopamine. And how could it be otherwise with a mixture like that? You feel awake and at the peak of your performance.

The catch: the quick energy kick is unfortunately a very short pleasure. It disappears as quickly as it came. Just one hour after consumption, most people feel tired and weak again. There could be a better solution, couldn't there?

What natural energy drinks are there and what effect do they have?

The absolute classic is without question coffee. Unlike the ready-made energy drink, it contains natural caffeine and the sugar content can also be determined by the consumer. It is obtained from the seeds of the coffee plant. Our tip: According to studies, spiced coffee has a particularly invigorating effect. Cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom or ground cloves add pep to the beloved morning drink.

But whether with or without spices: with an average per capita consumption of around 168 litres a year, coffee should be familiar to everyone as a natural stimulant. So the question is, what other alternatives are there?

Mate tea - the delicious "tea" from South America

Mate tea not only sounds similar to the well-known matcha tea, they also have many similarities. In Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, mate tea is considered one of the most popular drinks. And not without reason: it contains caffeine, antioxidants, vitamins as well as magnesium, calcium and iron. In winter, the hot version warms the body from the inside. In the summer months, it cools you down as an iced tea.

3 benefits that the South American pick-me-up can offer:

• As the caffeine is bound to tannins, the energy boost occurs gently and lasts longer. This can lead to less strain on the cardiovascular system.
• The metabolism is said to be stimulated and thus possibly gently curb the appetite. This also makes mate tea a popular companion during a change of diet.
• According to studies, drinking mate tea has a positive effect on mental balance.

In our online shop, you will find different varieties of our delicious mate tea. For example, how about a delicious organic yerba mate with guaraná and natural citrus flavour. Caffeine, vitamins and minerals provide a natural source of energy.
 

Guaraná

In the Amazon region, we find a plant whose small, grape-shaped fruits contain no less than 5 times the caffeine content of coffee. This explains why it is so popular as a natural energy drink. Mostly processed into powder, guaraná is often mixed into freshly squeezed orange juice or smoothies. And we also come across this popular pick-me-up in the form of lemonade: Guaraná Antartica is produced in Brazil and is wonderfully refreshing.

Guaraná does not have to hide either:

• It is said to significantly increase concentration and also reduce fatigue as well as exhaustion.
• The brown powder is said to have an intense, long-lasting effect and is said to be well tolerated.

Feel free to try our natural Guaraná powder which comes from the Amazon basin in South America and is produced without the addition of flavour enhancers or artificial flavours. Simply mix about 3 grams of the powder into your muesli or drink such as your cocoa, orange juice or smoothie.

Matcha-Tea

Translated, matcha means ground tea. And that is exactly what matcha tea is. We can recognize it by its light green colour, which it owes to its high chlorophyll content. Because the leaves are steamed, dried and ground after harvesting, matcha tea contains significantly more antioxidants and vitamins than conventional green tea.

And of course, matcha tea shows this in its effect:

• The interaction of L-theanine, an amino acid contained in matcha tea, and caffeine can cause an increased ability to concentrate.
• At the same time, the light green tea powder triggers a calming effect in some users and is therefore frequently used for meditation.

Wake-up call without caffeine? Coconut water makes it possible

Those who want an even more natural energy drink turn to coconut water. The electrolytes, vitamins, potassium, sodium and vital substances it contains can promote blood circulation in the nerves and muscles. Thus, it provides a natural energy kick without caffeine.