If you can’t fathom making it through the day without your cup (or two, or three) of joe, you may be wondering if it’s time to break the addiction. While coffee isn’t bad for you—in fact, java has been linked to health benefits like a decreased risk of getting colon cancer, suffering a stroke and developing heart failure—perhaps you’re still seeking a change in how you consume caffeine. The next time you need your morning caffeine fix or afternoon pick-me-up, these are some of the best alternatives, from energy drinks like Bang Energy to chocolate!
Energy Drinks
An eight-ounce cup of coffee boasts about 96 milligrams of caffeine, so when you consider the fact that most energy drinks on the market contain double or triple that amount, you’re getting more bang for your buck. Each can of Bang Energy, for example, has 300 milligrams of caffeine, without the sugar that typically flavors coffee drinks. Plus, if you’re still craving the taste of coffee, Bang offers flavors that will rival your Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, including Cookies and Cream, Mocha Madness and Heavenly Hazelnut—all with 20 grams of protein.
“Many of our competitors focus on the caffeine and focus on the flavor,” says Joseph Nickell, the head of U.S. grocery for Bang Energy. “We certainly do that too, but we try to think one step further. What else might you want with your morning coffee? That would be a protein.”
Tea
Tea is often the fallback beverage for those who wish to cut back on coffee. While not as potent in caffeine content, roughly 28 milligrams in green and 47 milligrams in black, it still carries enough to boost brain function, and its antioxidants have been shown to protect the heart. Kombucha, a fermented tea and natural probiotic, also contains a fraction of the caffeine found in regular tea.
Dark Chocolate
Caffeine doesn’t just come in liquid form. If you prefer to consume your caffeine as a solid, try dark chocolate (yes, chocolate!). Two ounces of 70 percent dark chocolate offer about 50 to 60 milligrams of caffeine, roughly half the amount as a full eight-ounce cuppa. Bonus: Dark chocolate is known to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of diabetes.
Learn more about the benenfits of energy drinks
Look for Bang Energy in the sports drink aisle at your local Kroger store
*Tip: Find the aisle number above the purchase options when shopping online!
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