Coffee is so yesterday!

The best alternatives for long-lasting energy and mental clarity
© Mae Mu / Unsplash
© Mae Mu / Unsplash
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
12. March 2025 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
12. March 2025
|
Alexandra Gorsche

For many, coffee is an essential ritual. However, not everyone tolerates caffeine well or benefits from its short-lived energy boost. Scientific findings show that there are effective alternatives that not only promote wakefulness but also enhance concentration and mental stamina. This article explores these alternatives and why they are trending.

When Focus Declines: Do We Really Need Coffee?

Whether working from home, attending long meetings, pulling extended shifts, or engaging in creative projects, our attention is constantly challenged. According to recent studies, we lose focus an average of nine times a day. The reflexive action? Coffee! With 2.25 billion cups consumed daily, it is the world’s most popular beverage. But not everyone tolerates it well: heart palpitations, nervousness, and the dreaded caffeine crash are well-known side effects. Are there alternatives that provide long-lasting energy without side effects? Yes – and they are scientifically proven!

  1. Matcha Tea: Caffeine with Long-Term Effect
    Unlike coffee, matcha tea releases caffeine more slowly, ensuring a balanced state of wakefulness. The combination with L-theanine not only promotes mental clarity but also a calm focus - without the jitters or sensory overload.
  2. Adaptogens & Nootropics: The Science Behind Smarter Energy
    Modern nutritional research shows that adaptogens and nootropics can enhance concentration and cognitive performance. Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha help the body better manage stress, while nootropics like B vitamins and L-theanine optimize neural signal transmission. A practical example: Juice Plus+ Luminate combines natural caffeine from green coffee beans with adaptogenic and nootropic ingredients. The result? A gentle alertness without nervousness or sudden energy crashes - ideal for those seeking sustained focus.
  3. Guarana: The Long-Lasting Booster
    Guarana contains up to four times more caffeine than coffee, but it releases it more gradually and gently into the body. Particularly during periods of intense mental exertion, it helps prevent energy dips and ensures steady energy levels throughout the day.
  4. Yerba Mate: A Natural Energizer with Antioxidants
    Popular in South America, Yerba Mate offers a blend of caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants. This not only provides a lasting energy boost but also supports metabolism and digestion - making it a stimulating alternative for both body and mind.
  5. Golden Milk: Adaptogenic Power for Evening Clarity
    For those looking to recharge naturally without caffeine, golden milk is an excellent option. The combination of turmeric, ginger, and pepper has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties - perfect for relieving mental stress and preparing the body for sustainable recovery.

Study: Why we lose focus so often

A comprehensive study by Juice Plus+ and PureSpectrum reveals that modern life is full of distractions - people in Germany lose focus nine times a day on average, while Gen Z experiences this 11 times. The main reasons include:

  • Multitasking (37%)
  • Smartphones & social media (36%)
  • Poor sleep or stress (36%)

Even more striking: After a distraction, it takes an average of 34 minutes to regain full focus - adding up to over five hours of lost productivity per day!

Our conclusion for the future: Energy without side effects is possible

To maintain sustainable physical and mental performance, coffee is not the only solution. Scientifically backed alternatives like matcha, guarana, yerba mate, or adaptogenic formulations like Juice Plus+ Luminate offer stable, gentle focus. In an era of increasing distractions, combining smart nutrition with scientifically proven methods is crucial - for long-lasting and sustainable energy.

For the hospitality and gastronomy sectors, this presents an opportunity to introduce innovative beverages into their offerings. Providing guests with alternatives that not only energize but also promote long-term well-being is a promising direction. The demand for caffeine-free or gently stimulating drinks is growing - an exciting development for businesses that align with modern nutritional trends.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© Mae Mu / Unsplash

Horváth Pop-up Vienna 2026

Emancipated vegetable cuisine meets fine dining – Sebastian Frank brings his radical concept back to Austria

The two-star Berlin restaurant Horváth returns to Vienna in early 2026 with an exclusive pop-up, presenting an uncompromising new menu based on “emancipated vegetable cuisine.” For two weeks, Sebastian and Jeannine Frank’s team will take over the Herzig restaurant and serve a 7-course menu that shows how innovative, precise, and luxurious vegetables can be today. A culinary highlight for foodies, fine dining fans, and anyone who doesn’t want to miss Austria’s most exciting pop-up experience of 2026.

This time, Sebastian Frank is taking an even more uncompromising approach, with a new menu and a clear message: vegetables can be luxurious – even without caviar.

Aromahopping

Where craftsmanship, passion, and flavor journeys meet

With the opening of its new distillery in Mosbach, Aromahopping is sending a strong signal about the future of artisanal spirits. Between extraordinary gin compositions, creative tastings, and a high-caliber supporting program, it became clear what makes the Odenwald brand so special: attention to detail, curiosity about new flavors, and a passion for honest craftsmanship.

Twice as sustainable

How the TafelBox makes appreciation visible

Takeaway without a guilty conscience – and with social added value: since its relaunch in 2024, the TafelBox has become one of the most effective tools against food waste in Austria. The simple principle: guests take leftover food home with them – and at the same time donate to a good cause. For every box sold, 20 cents go directly to Die Tafel Österreich to provide people affected by poverty with rescued food.

quick & dirty
Matcha © Mae Mu / Unsplash
Coffee is so yesterday!

For many, coffee is an essential ritual. However, not everyone tolerates caffeine well or benefits from its short-lived energy boost. Scientific findings show that there are effective alternatives that not only promote wakefulness but also enhance concentration and mental stamina. This article explores these alternatives and why they are trending.