Guayusa: A Delicious Coffee Alternative
Danica Collins – Managing Editor, Underground Health Reporter ™
Coffee seems to be making a comeback, as research points to its healthy benefits, like Alzheimer’s prevention, a lower risk for diabetes, and fat-burning assistance. But, it’s easy to go overboard on the coffee, and too many cups can negate any positive benefit, so that all you’re getting are jittery afternoons and sleepless nights. Not to mention a higher likelihood of developing hypertension, heart disease, anxiety, and stomach troubles. If you’ve been looking for an alternative to coffee, and haven’t managed to take a liking to green tea, then we’ve got a potential solution: Guayusa! Guayusa doesn’t just energize; it has twice the concentration of antioxidants as green tea, making it a supercharged health tonic.
Guayusa’s Exotic Beginnings
Guayusa (pronounced gwy-you-sa) originates from the Ecuadorian Amazon. It’s been the staple beverage of indigenous peoples for thousands of years, providing warmth, comfort, and energy. Sourced from the dried leaves of the caffeinated holly tree (ilex guayusa), guayusa is prepared by simply steeping it in hot water just as you would steep tea. For those who are sensitive to the tannins in tea, good news! Guayusa is free in tannins, so shouldn’t provoke those tannin-induced headaches. Guayusa also has more of a sweet taste, so you can trade in the bitter astringency of tea. As for its antioxidant power, guayusa boasts double the ORAC value (antioxidant capacity) as your average cup of green tea.
How does it measure up in caffeine content? Let’s see!
- 8 oz cup of coffee – 95-200 mg
- 8 oz cup of guayusa – 90 mg
- 8 oz cup of mate – 70 mg
- 8 oz cup of black tea – 40-80 mg
- 8 oz cup of green tea – 15-40 mg
As you can see from the numbers above, guayusa contains approximately the same concentration of caffeine as a cup of coffee, but doesn’t cause any negative side effects, such as an afternoon crash or the jitters throughout the day. That’s because guayusa contains amino acids that dull the side effects of caffeine and promote equal parts concentration and tranquility: alanine, arginine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, and valine to name a few.
Guayusa is also packed with two other standout nutrients: theobromine and theophylline, the feel-good hormones found in chocolate. Imagine the high of eating chocolate without the low of added calories and fat! And guayusa has one more benefit for you—it doesn’t stain your teeth like coffee and certain teas do.
Guayusa Helps Fight Aging and Cancer
While guayusa’s antioxidants set to work neutralizing free radicals before they can accelerate aging and instigate disease, guayusa’s anti-cancer and anti-aging compounds work double-time to keep you in optimal health.
- Theobromine helps calm chronic inflammation, lower blood pressure, and protect against heart disease by widening blood vessels so they stay relaxed and supple.
- Polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins are phyto-chemicals that decrease inflammation, help protect against cancer, and boost the immune system.
- Chlorogenic acid helps aid weight loss and stimulate fat metabolism.
- L-Theanine is an amino acid that produces dopamine, a feel-good hormone that enhances mood.
- L-Theanine sharpens focus and calms the mind, thereby improving focus, memory, and learning ability.
Preliminary studies also show that guayusa may help lower blood sugar, making it a great energy source for diabetics.
You can find guayusa at your local health food store or online. It comes in several flavors, such as mint, citrus, lemongrass, hibiscus, berry, ginger or original.
If you liked this article, then you’ll love these:
- Why Golden Milk Is Better Than Coffee
- Medium-Chain Triglycerides – What’s the hype?
- #1 morning drink kills belly flab…(AND boosts energy)
