Many of us start our day with a fresh cup of coffee, using it as a tool to prepare ourselves for the day ahead.

Despite being one of the most popular beverages globally, coffee may not always be the best choice, particularly as a morning drink. In some instances, coffee can have the reverse effect than intended when consumed first thing in the morning.

This is due to how the beverage interacts with our body's hormones, notably cortisol, often referred to as the 'stress hormone'. Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating our alertness throughout the day, a process that can be disrupted by drinking coffee.

Upon waking, our bodies produce a large amount of cortisol to help us wake up. However, the high caffeine content in coffee can interfere with this process, potentially making us feel more tired.

Luckily, there are numerous alternative beverages available that can keep you alert in the morning without severely disrupting your cortisol levels like coffee.

Green tea

Green tea is a popular substitute for coffee due to its similar effects on alertness. While green tea does contain moderate amounts of caffeine, it has significantly less than coffee, with approximately 30 milligrams of caffeine per average cup compared to coffee's 80 milligrams per cup.

Moreover, green tea has gained traction as a weight loss aid, with some research suggesting that its regular intake could help prevent obesity.

Matcha

Matcha is a powdered variant of green tea that delivers many of the same health benefits but in greater quantities. This is because matcha powder utilises the entire plant, whereas green tea is only made from the leaves.

As a result, it boasts a higher concentration of antioxidants and nutrients, which can counteract ageing effects and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a herbal beverage widely consumed across South America. Although its caffeine content is comparable to coffee, which may still affect your morning cortisol levels, it also offers numerous other health advantages.

A typical cup of yerba mate is packed with antioxidants derived from plant compounds, akin to green tea, offering all the similar benefits mentioned earlier. Additionally, it contains an array of essential vitamins and minerals for the body, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, thiamine, and riboflavin.

Chicory coffee

Chicory coffee is brewed from the chicory root and is a popular alternative to traditional coffee. It's believed to have originated in France and has since gained popularity in various parts of the world, including New Orleans, where it became a staple during the Civil War due to a significant coffee shortage.

While it shares a similar taste to coffee, often with a more earthy note, chicory coffee is naturally devoid of caffeine and offers other nutrients and compounds beneficial for a healthy lifestyle. For instance, it can supply the prebiotic fibre inulin, which may aid weight loss.

Additionally, a cup of chicory coffee includes vitamin B6 and manganese.