Suddenly once students begin college they feel as though they have aged as they struggle to stay awake and feel energized throughout the day. They turn to caffeine, their suddenly new best friend in college, to serve as an extra boost they need to get through the day. However, before reaching for that grande caramel frappuccino or iced coffee, think about the ingredients that are about to enter into your body.
One problem with coffee is the fact that it is a drug. Once it is consumed it becomes extremely addictive to customers. After becoming addicted to coffee, the body has a difficult time trying to rely on the body’s main sources of energy. In addition, coffee also raises blood sugar levels, which are important to maintain at a lower level. The ingredients that are in coffee beverages, especially those sold at Starbucks, contain many sugars and a large amount of fats. In fact, more than half of the calories recommended each day are consumed by such beverages. Take a look at the truth behind the nutrition facts in the beloved coffee drinks.
By replacing a cup of coffee for a cup of tea, you receive several benefits. First of all, because of the price difference, your wallet does not become significantly lighter after a purchase. Overall a cup of tea costs less than a cup of coffee. Also, there are several benefits that come with drinking tea. The taste is less bitter, so it is less likely for extra sugars to be added. Also, tea is said to boost metabolism, which can help those trying to lose weight shed pounds faster. Unlike coffee, there are almost no carbohydrates, calories, or fats in tea. It is also proven that tea can lower blood pressure and can help prevent diseases and kidney stones. Containing L-theanine, tea is helpful to the body’s immune system and boosts mental alertness. This boost can be especially helpful to students who are down to the wire to get work done for class the next day.
There is not necessarily a need to quit drinking coffee cold turkey, but the key point here is to drink it in moderation. Coffee is better to drink than most energy drinks, since it contains less sugars and chemical additives. It can be a good boost to have every once in a while, but it should not be made into a habit. New routines always start off slow, so take baby steps to try to reduce coffee consumption. Start off by replacing the highly sugar contained beverages with regular coffee, then replace coffee with tea and before long it will become something of the past. It may be difficult, but take it one step at a time and before long it will become easy to make the switch.
Which tea is best fit for you?
Green Tea: A more delicate flavor, full of antioxidants that could ward off cancer and heart disease
White Tea: A much milder flavor, less caffeine, may benefit those with diabetes, but also contains same cardio-vascular and cancer-fighting benefits.
Flavored Tea: Extras include orange peel, cinnamon, lavender with green, white or black tea leaves
Herbal Tea : A combination of dried fruit, flowers, and herbs, three cups daily could help lower blood pressure and may calm the stomach.