Why Doesn't Caffeine Affect Me? Alternative Energy Sources
Caffeine is part of our everyday lives. Nearly 65% of Americans drink coffee almost every day, and it seems that more coffee shops, energy drinks, and caffeine additives are available than ever before.
But while coffee and other caffeinated beverages continue to grow in popularity, they may not be the right fit for everyone. For some, caffeine can come with crashes that leave them feeling frustrated, fatigued, and unable to focus by the end of the day. Other caffeine side effects can include headaches, increased feelings of unease, digestive complications, and difficulty sleeping.
In addition to many individuals moving away from caffeine because of the side effects, there are those who are not affected by caffeine at all. They may enjoy a cup of coffee or tea for the taste but can drink caffeine late at night without feeling any ill-effects.
It can be frustrating to reach for a pick-me-up, only to not feel any boost or extra energy, but don’t worry. Here at Tenzo Tea, we want to make it easy to find both the ingredients you need to feel refreshed, healthy and invigorated every day, and the information that helps you to cook, prepare, and enjoy your favorite energy-boosting recipes. Here’s what you’ll want to know about caffeine and alternative energy sources for when caffeine just doesn’t do the trick.
Why Doesn’t Caffeine Affect Me?
While it seems like everyone reaches for a cup of coffee when they’re feeling low, you may find that the extra caffeine just doesn’t have an effect on your body or your mind at all. Here are a couple of the main reasons why you may find that caffeine has little to no impact on you.
It’s in the Genes
Not being affected by caffeine can actually be a genetic condition, as genes can play a large role in how sensitive you are to caffeine. That means you may feel a small effect when you drink caffeine, or you may have none at all.
A lot of it has to do with how your body metabolizes caffeine. If you metabolize too quickly, then the caffeine doesn’t have time to take effect, and you may be left wondering why you didn’t get that extra boost of energy. Science indicates that as many as 10% of people can have little to no reaction to caffeine because of this type of metabolization.
You’re Used to It
Over time, our bodies can develop tolerance to certain things, which is why it’s a good idea to change your shampoo on occasion, or why some people can be around cats, even if they previously had allergies. Coffee is much the same. If you have a regular coffee habit, your body may have gotten used to the caffeine intake, which means that the amount of caffeine you’re drinking just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Rather than adding more caffeine to your diet, which can lead to larger crashes and even more unresponsiveness over time, consider replacing your coffee with alternatives, adding water and fresh vegetables to your diet to combat dehydration, and reducing your intake. Your body will become accustomed to lower levels of caffeine and that next cup of coffee or tea will be much more effective at providing the energy you need to make it through your busy day.
Your Lifestyle Plays a Big Role
In addition to reducing your coffee intake to feels its effects again, you may want to consider if anything else in your life can play a role in your sensitivity to coffee. Some medications and supplements can interact with caffeine and increase or decrease your sensitivity to the stimulant.
Pregnancy, smoking, weight, and diet can also all play a role in how impactful caffeine is on your body. Consider speaking with your healthcare professional to see if there might be steps you can take to increase caffeine sensitivity so you can reduce caffeine consumption today.
Alternative Energy Sources
You don’t need caffeine to feel invigorated and ready to face the day. Whether caffeine is ineffective, or you just want to reduce the amount of caffeine you consume, there are low-impact and healthy alternative options that can give you that extra energy to be creative, spend time with loved ones, or explore a new place. Here are just a few.
Drink Water
Our bodies love water—and it’s way easier to become dehydrated than it might seem. Having a glass of cold water nearby is a great way to get the boosts you need without adding any extra caffeine to your system. In fact, many healthcare professionals recommend starting the day with water before your first cup of coffee, so your body has time to wake up and begin working efficiently. You can also get plenty of hydration from fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eat Healthy Snacks
Vitamins can give you a lot of boosts, especially if you’re feeling low energy, and the best way to get your recommended amount of vitamins and nutrients is to follow a healthy diet. There are lots of different types of fruits, nuts, and seeds that can offer up plenty of great nutritional value—and also taste delicious! Light, healthy snacks are another good option for staying energized because you won’t have to worry about a sugar crash later in the day.
Enjoy Spiced Teas
While you can find many spiced teas that do come with caffeine, the ones without caffeine can be just as effective. Some herbal teas, like peppermint and ginger, are full of bold, bright flavors that have health and wellness benefits and can provide bursts of energy. They also help you to stay hydrated and can be mixed with honey or lemons for even more taste.
Get Fresh Air
We can sometimes become more tired or fatigued because we’re stuck in the same place doing the same task for a long while. Sometimes the best way to get the energy you need to finish out a productive day or to create something beautiful is to step away for a bit. Try taking a walk around your neighborhood or heading out to the local park.
Even if all you can do is walk to the conference room, the little extra movement can boost your body’s energy and start making you feel awake and excited again.
How Can Matcha Help?
Another great option for finding that mid-day or early morning energy boost, even if caffeine isn’t working, is matcha tea. Matcha tea is a type of green tea that comes with some of the highest levels of caffeine available in tea, but that isn’t why you’re going to love it.
Matcha tea can provide gentle and long-lasting energy that lasts for several hours and has little to no crash or other side effects. The boost comes from the nutrients in the matcha tea leaves, which means matcha can help to give you that extra energy, even if coffee doesn’t seem to be working.
Unlike other teas, matcha isn’t steeped. Instead, it’s ground into a fine powder and then mixed directly into the water. That means the tea is more robust, and also that it mixes well into many different drinks and dessert recipes.
Consider making a matcha smoothie to start your day off with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, or mix matcha into your next chocolate recipe for a balance of flavors. Matcha is incredibly versatile and delivers on fresh, grassy flavors with beautiful balances. You’re sure to enjoy every sip.
Conclusion
While caffeine is an incredibly common part of our modern-day society, you have many options for energy that don’t require it. Whether caffeine simply doesn’t affect you or you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, you can get that extra energy you need for your busy day from the foods you eat, the amount of water you consume, no caffeine alternatives, and even the sunshine.
If you find that caffeine isn’t providing the energy boost you need, you may want to consider matcha tea. While matcha tea does offer caffeine, most of the energy matcha tea delivers comes from its nutrients and natural makeup. The energy is gentle and lasts a long time and you don’t have to worry about any caffeine crashes or other effects.
If you want to learn more about matcha tea and your other caffeine alternatives, trust Tenzo tea. We carry ingredients you’ll love and the information that will help you find the best option to fit your needs. Begin testing out your favorite caffeine alternatives today.
Sources:
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/americans-drinking-more-coffee-ever
https://www.insider.com/why-doesnt-caffeine-affect-me
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/caffeine-alternatives-for-healthy-natural-energy
