The Top Teas For Energy: Teas To Energize Your Day

Can drinking a cup of tea give you more of an energy boost than drinking a cup of coffee? Although both beverages contain caffeine and both contain natural health benefits, the ways they energize are vastly different. Not to mention tea can do all this without giving you nasty adverse side effects.

In this article, we'll list the best teas for energy and how they can give your day a much-needed pick-me-up. So if you're trying to cut down on the coffee and want a drink that offers just as much energy without the caffeine jitters, here are our picks for the best energizing teas around.

Some Health Benefits of Drinking Tea for Energy

Before we look at some of the best teas for energy, let's explore the other health benefits this delicious beverage can provide.

#1. Caffeine Content

Too much caffeine is not good for the system and can create problems like rapid heartbeats and anxiety. Most teas contain about half the amount of caffeine as coffee and has fewer adverse side effects. So if you want half the caffeine while still boosting energy, delicious and energizing tea is your best bet.

#2. Heart Health

Research shows that drinking black tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Enjoying a high-quality loose-leaf tea like this one reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or the "bad cholesterol" that can build up along the artery walls.

#3. Blood Pressure

A few cups a day may help reduce blood pressure. Research shows that black and green loose-leaf tea contains compounds called catechins. These catechins relax the muscles that line the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

#4. Better Central Nervous System and Brain Health

If you drink coffee, you are bound to have an energy boost. However, pure teas like green tea boost energy and help reduce stress simultaneously due to L-theanine, an amino acid in some plants. L-theanine increases dopamine and serotonin levels which help improve a person's mood and provide better sleep and overall brain function. The amino acid L-theanine also helps lower cortisol levels or stress hormones, improving overall immune health.

#5. Weight Loss

The natural ingredients and compounds in pure teas can modulate energy consumption, increasing energy levels and giving the person the boost they need to be more active. The polyphenols and catechins in it may help speed up metabolism, burning more fat. Plus, it's naturally sugar-free. So it makes a great energy drink without adding sugar to your diet.

What is The Best Energizing Drink Around?

Some people start their day with a hot cup of coffee, while others enjoy a caffeinated blast from energy drinks to jolt them awake. Some even prefer drinking green tea first thing in the morning to help get them going or keep them going throughout the day.

Choosing the "best energizing drink" comes down to one thing - how well it delivers a stimulant to help combat fatigue and drowsiness while also increasing focus and alertness. The best beverages do all this without giving you all those caffeine side effects, and some of the top drinks to do all are caffeinated teas.

The "No Crash" Beverage

For millions of people worldwide, coffee is an ideal way to wake up and face the day, but the harsh stimulants aren't always ideal for your system. The quick blast of energy may feel great at the time, but it also comes with jittery, anxious, or uncomfortable feelings if you have too much or are sensitive to it. After a few hours, when those feelings wear off comes the crash, where you feel even more tired than before having that cup of coffee.

On the flip side, the caffeine content in tea acts much differently. One of the reasons caffeinated tea is so different than coffee is that it binds to the compounds with antioxidant properties found in the tea leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant.

As a larger compound, it now takes much longer to break down as it enters your system. These smaller doses of caffeine slowly work their way through the digestive system. Instead of the instant caffeine release of coffee, the process for tea could take four or even six hours. Only the following true teas come from the tea plant:

• Black tea - All black teas go through the most processing. They are dried, wilted, and oxidized the longest out of all. It gives black tea its unique, robust, malty flavor and deep brown color

• Oolong tea - Oolong tea also goes through much of the same processing as black tea but can be more similar to green tea processing, depending on the manufacturer. Oolong also goes through a slight fermentation process. Most oolong teas are dark in color and have an earthy and malty taste.

• Masala chai - Masal chai is a spiced tea that can use ginger or cardamom for flavor. It has a spicy taste and a creamy black tea undertone.

• Green tea - Green tea leaves are also dried and wilted, but much less than oolong or black tea. It gives green tea its yellow-to-green color and more grassy flavor.

• Matcha tea - A version of green tea, matcha tea goes through some extra processing to break it down into a fine powder. Unlike green tea leaves, this powder is typically whisked into a froth with milk or water and consumed.

• White tea - White tea goes through the least amount of processing. When the buds are young, the tea leaves are still covered with fine white hair. These delicate leaves are harvested to make what is known as "white tea."

Although these teas contain caffeine, they deliver gentler, more constant, and slow-released amounts of energy throughout the day instead of the instant jolt of energy coffee produces. The bonus to having this tasty beverage is that you won't have to worry about a big crash.

What About Herbal Teas?

Herbal tea is much different than caffeinated teas like black tea or green tea. Herbal teas are typically made from flowers, spices, roots, fruits, and herbs and don't contain any caffeine. Some of these teas can be blended with black tea to add more caffeine, but generally, they are caffeine-free tea. Here are some of the more popular types of herbal tea varieties available:

• Ginger tea - Ginger tea is caffeine-free but offers many health benefits. Ginger tea can help with indigestion and reduce anxiety and inflammation in the body, which will naturally boost energy levels!

• Peppermint tea - Even though peppermint tea doesn't contain any caffeine, it can stimulate the senses and give the person a feeling of increased energy.

• Chamomile tea - Has the opposite effect of peppermint tea. As much as peppermint tea can provide a feeling of energy, chamomile tea is a soothing tea and helps promote better sleep. An excellent beverage to drink before bed! 

• Hibiscus tea - Freshly brewed hibiscus flowers have a refreshing aroma, is high in vitamin C, and is a relaxing and soothing tea that helps promote a good night's sleep. As with chamomile, hibiscus won't boost energy but will help you sleep better, making you more likely to have natural energy the next day!

Then There's Yerba Mate

Another one that makes our list is Yerba Mate. A herbal tea consumed for centuries by indigenous tribes of South America as a main beverage during social gatherings and dream interpretation ceremonies. Today Yerba Mate is still a popular South American tea, but it is also an ingredient in many energy drinks.

Yerba Mate has a smoky and bold flavor with intense earthy notes. It has a strong aroma and less caffeine than coffee but contains more caffeine than green tea. This potent stimulant compound called theobromine gives this drink its powerful energy-boosting properties. Like the amino acid L-theanine, the energy boost from theobromine can increase energy levels without giving you the jitters. Some studies show that Yerba Mate can help a person improve athletic endurance and performance.

And Let's Not Forget Pu-erh Tea!

Another pick-me-up on our list is pu-erh tea. Made primarily in the Yunnan district of the Southwestern province of China. Pu-erh, like green tea and black tea blends, is one of the true teas made from the stems and leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, pu-erh goes through a fermentation process and has a more robust flavor than green or oolong. Since it also contains caffeine, it's excellent for energy.

What Are the Best Teas for Energy and Focus?

To understand what makes the best energy tea, let's first look at how to make the perfect cup. When it comes to getting that best boost of energy, stay away from tea bags. Teas in tea bags typically goes through the most processing. Dust and small pieces make up most teas found in tea bags. It means many health benefits are diminished, like amino acids, antioxidants, and energizing properties.

We always recommend sticking to a loose-leaf brand to reap the benefits of all those incredible healthy compounds. Make sure the water temperature and measurements are correct. For example, green teas can burn if boiling water is poured directly onto the leaves. When you make your favorite loose-leaf hot beverage, follow the instructions on the packaging to get the best flavor and numerous health benefits.

#1. The Gentle Nudge of White Tea

For a gentle hit of caffeine, white tea is one of the best teas for energy. With only 13 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, you can boost energy levels cup after cup throughout the day without overdoing the caffeine.

#2. Drinking Green Tea for an Energy Boost

The energy-boosting properties of green tea are ideal for those who like a bit more caffeine than white tea can deliver. At 35 mg per cup of green tea, you can still have a few cups throughout the day and not worry about being overly caffeinated.

#3. Make the Most out of Your Matcha Green Tea

Like green tea, matcha tea also contains around 40 mg of caffeine per cup. Stick to three to five cups per day for best results.

#3. Oolong for More Energy

Oolong tea contains around 45 mg of caffeine per cup, so try this for a big boost. 

#4. The Most Energy Boost in Black Tea

Black tea contains the most caffeine out of all other teas, around 50mg per cup. It makes it the best tea without any nasty side effects for tons of energy.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a quick energy boost to jolt you awake, coffee is an ideal beverage to have handy. However, if you're looking for both caffeine and flavor without any adverse side effects that coffee brings, consider pouring yourself a cup of tea (or three!) You'll also get the added benefits of an L-Theanine boost to elevate your mood, antioxidants, and more!

With a bit of hot water and fresh tea leaves, you can make an energizing and healthy drink that is safe to drink throughout the day. What better way to keep you going than some refreshing tea for energy? For some of the best tea blends, check these out!