Whether you drink tea, herbal tea or coffee, it's all a question of taste and sensitivity. However, the stimulating effects expected from caffeine can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations for the organism, and notorious effects on both body and mind.
Did you know that TEA TRIBES infusions are naturally caffeine-free and can provide a wide range of benefits? The ancestral virtues of certain plants invigorate, stimulate and boost the immune system, but without exciting. Stimulating without exciting - that's the difference! So, unlike coffee, most plants can be consumed throughout the day without the slightest risk of off-gassing.
What is caffeine?
Theine and caffeine are in fact the same molecule, C8H10N4O2, from the methylxanthine family. It's just by usage that we name it differently depending on whether it's found in tea, coffee, guarana or maté (which we also do in this article). This molecule stimulates the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system, but in different ways depending on its interaction with the other specific components that accompany it:
In coffee, caffeine is bioavailable, which means that it is assimilated almost immediately: the molecule passes directly into the bloodstream, giving an instant "boost" effect. It temporarily reduces drowsiness and reaction time, and increases attention . However, after a few hours (2 or 3 h on average), the energy crash is assured and the first drawbacks appear. Tachycardia, sleep disorders...
In tea, theine is combined with polyphenols, enabling it to be released evenly and in moderation into the bloodstream. As a result, it is assimilated more slowly, providing a stimulating effect over a longer period (from 6 to 8 hours on average) and increasing alertness without the stimulating effect. What's more, L-thenaine - an amino acid found exclusively in tea - reduces mental and physical stress and relaxes the brain. It's also worth bearing in mind that tea is drunk with a much greater quantity of water than coffee, mechanically reducing the amount of theine absorbed.
It's for these reasons that drinking tea is an integral part of Buddhist monks' routine during long meditation sessions. The combined effects of caffeine and L-theanine create a balance between serenity and concentration, ensuring that the mind is both awake and calm.
But if you want to give your body more tone and stamina, with absolutely no side effects, it's even better to drink infusions, which are totally caffeine-free. Made from blackcurrant and rosehip berries, toasted buckwheat or hibiscus, most TEA TRIBES infusions can be drunk without moderation, all day long. In the end, the best way to stay abundantly hydrated while providing your body with natural, beneficial ingredients.
So, without necessarily replacing it altogether ... how about at least cutting down on coffee?