Caffeine Alternatives: Natural Ingredients for Energy
A shot of caffeine is the daily routine for millions of American households. Drag yourself out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, and hope you remembered to set the coffee machine timer the night before.
Fact: The US consumes a staggering 1.62 billion pounds of coffee annually. Our obsession with coffee has become a running joke. “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee” is a familiar tagline, and it’s not unusual for Americans to make multiple trips to the cafe to keep their energy up throughout the work day.
Rising to challenge coffee is the energy drink industry, with most of these options cramming even more caffeine than an espresso shot into a can or cup. In 2017, energy drink sales in the US amounted to $11 billion and reached around $18.5 billion by 2023.
But, caffeine isn't the only ingredient for energy out there. The coffee substitutes market is estimated at $13.06 billion in 2022 and is predicted to reach $19.8 billion by 2032. There is a rising tide of caffeine alternatives, helping us all reduce our daily intake of caffeine to healthier levels.
A Growing Demand for Caffeine Alternatives
A little caffeine isn’t bad for you, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted that overconsumption of caffeine can have serious downsides, including:
Increased heart rate and/or heart palpitations
High blood pressure, jitters, and/or anxiety
Insomnia or sleep disruptions
Nausea and/or upset stomach
Intractable headaches
There are also, of course, a few individuals who have been urged to avoid caffeine if possible, including those who have heart conditions, high blood pressure, or who are pregnant. Fortunately, this is where the caffeine alternatives come into play, offering energy through a different form and often a different internal pathway.
6 Naturally Sourced Caffeine Alternatives for Energy
There are plenty of natural resources that can mimic the effects of caffeine without the unwanted side effects. Spokes Science has been working with a few of these caffeine alternatives for energy.
Here are just a handful of options that can perk up your formulation, without a shot of espresso.
B Vitamins
A wide range of B vitamins are associated with heightened energy, cognitive function, and lower fatigue. Replacing caffeine intake with B vitamins allows your body to recover naturally instead of being artificially stimulated.
Taurine
Need a boost before exercising? Taurine promotes better blood pressure readings and cardiovascular activity and may also improve productivity and energy levels after your workout. A common ingredient in energy drinks, taurine is found in protein such as red meat, seafood, and algae.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a functional mushroom, a fungi studied for potential medicinal value. It displays anti-fatigue activity in scientific study. Unlike caffeine, it doesn’t spike an energy high and then drop off quickly. Cordyceps can be easily combined with other energy-boosting ingredients, added to beverages, or even mixed into morning oatmeal.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has been found to balance occasional stress and improve cognitive function. It can be a terrific caffeine alternative, especially when combined with energy-supplementing vitamins and minerals. Like cordyceps, it’s easy to add ashwagandha to beverages, snacks, and foods.
Guarana extract
Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon that contains multiple energy-boosting ingredients. Guarana seeds are not caffeine-free, but other components of guarana extract can enhance the efficacy of caffeine. Guarana extracts are widely used in many popular energy drinks, there is even a Guarana Antarctica Soda in Brazil.
QShots: A Novel Caffeine Alternative
First, Spokes Sciences released a range of Curēous™ Beverages, including energizing black and green teas enhanced with CBD or ashwagandha for energy and revitalization. These ready-to-drink beverages contain less than 100 calories per serving, have no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, and deliver a satisfying, sophisticated experience.
Now Spoke is preparing to launch a new line of QShots with a co-manufacturing customer, including caffeine-free alternatives like B vitamins, taurine, cordyceps, and ashwagandha, plus a guarana extract option with caffeine-boosting effects.
Spoke Sciences offers innovative solutions for functional ingredients, providing enhanced bioavailability, more reliable formats, and efficient delivery systems for use in food, beverages, and cosmetics. Contact us today to discover how we can support your product development.