Caffeine is many things: a workout enhancer, an energy booster, and much more. Millions of people rely on caffeine to simply help them navigate their daily lives, but caffeinated beverages can be a negative factor in your life, depending on how you get your intake. Beverages like sodas and energy drinks are filled with unhealthy chemicals, tons of sugar and are not healthy sources of caffeine.
But don’t fret, because, there are ways to get the boost you need, and the clarity you crave without falling prey to the downsides of caffeine. Below, read our list of the healthiest sources of caffeine to find out which is best for you:
Espresso
A smooth, robust, and aromatic shot of espresso is a great way to get the caffeine you need it. Espresso is low in calories and full of anti-oxidative benefits.
Unsweetened Iced Tea
NOT sweet tea. Sweet teas sold in stores often have more sugar than soft drinks. Choose regular old iced tea to get your caffeine boost. A glass of iced tea has just under 50mgs of caffeine. Spruce it up with some lemon or just accept the loving taste of tea.
Dark Chocolate
Not all chocolate is unhealthy, and fattening. Dark chocolate also contains a bit of caffeine. It is also known to reduce cholesterol, promote weight loss, and can help brain function.
Matcha
If you haven’t already tried Matcha, you better. A type of stone-ground Japanese green tea, Matcha is different than other green teas. It doesn’t need to be steeped because it is ground into a fine super green powder. It has an umami taste and it sometimes could have a sweet taste to it, due to the high amino acid count. The high L-theanine content in Matcha gives a calming effect and it contains just under 30 mgs of caffeine per scoop. The Vitamin C, antioxidants, magnesium and Zinc are good for you as well.
Americano
An Americano contains less than 10 calories per cup, and is nothing more than just espresso plus hot water. The preferred drink of American soldiers stationed overseas during WW1 and WW2.
Yerba Mate
This herb is found in the Amazon and is popular throughout South America. Yerba mate is an energizing drink. It is most commonly prepared in a special device called a gourd, with a straw and hot water.
Guarana Berries
Also found in the Amazon, Guarana Berries pack quite a lot of caffeine. Each one contains about twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans.
Plain Black Coffee
The classic choice. Coffee has a high caffeine content and is low in calories, making it one of the healthier sources for caffeine consumption.
Earl Grey Tea
The classic choice (In the UK). Earl Grey gives you about half of the caffeine of a cup of coffee and is filled with cancer-fighting antioxidants. The aromatic bergamot used to make the tea also has calming properties that relieve stress and anxiety.
Green Tea
There are thousands of different green teas, and most of them have a low caffeine content. The amount of caffeine in green tea is enough to provide you with a little boost, but not enough to keep you up all night. The health benefits of green tea are myriad and are more than just the added caffeine boost. The flavonoids boost immunity, aids in weight loss, and antioxidants even have anti-aging effects to keep free radicals at bay.