Recent studies have indicated that moderate coffee consumption may lower heart failure risk but be mindful of the saying ‘too much of a good thing’.

Once you venture over the recommended serving size of 2 cups per day, coffee can be highly addictive and can also affect your adrenal glands, blood pressure and skin.

If you are looking to curb your caffeine cravings or seek another option for variety, here are a few healthy options:

Green Tea
Packed with antioxidants and smaller doses of caffeine, studies have shown that green tea may slow down weight gain, aid in detoxification and lower heart disease risk factors.

Kukicha Green Tea is a Japanese tea that contains the lowest amount of caffeine and is also rich with Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, and Fluoride.

Raw Dark Chocolate
It may contain small amounts of caffeine, but dark chocolate is a savoury treat that is full of healthy flavonoids that can help with lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the brain and heart. The darker the chocolate the higher the health benefits so step away from the milk chocolate or candy variety and opt for cocoa in its more natural form (70% and above).

Ginseng
Available in two varieties – the Asian and American form, studies have shown Ginseng to be an immune booster and may lower blood sugar levels. It is also believed to have energizing effects, which may explain why it appears in many commercial energy drinks.

So the next time you feel the urge to chug more than your recommended serving of java, try a natural alternative for some energizing effects.

Stay Beautiful!

Sources

• Health Benefits of Coffee: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food?page=2
• Dark Chocolates Secret: http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/modern-love-8/chocolate-answers