
Written by Dr. Mark Winwood
Dr Mark Winwood is a leading psychologist, and Clinical Lead for Mental Health Services at AXA Health.
Reducing your caffeine intake has various benefits – from better sleep to fewer tummy troubles. But it’s often hard to tell whether a product contains caffeine and how much. Small amounts are unlikely to be listed on food labels so look for ingredients like coffee beans, cacao, or green tea. Many teas, chocolates and sweets, and over-the-counter medicines contain caffeine and even decaf coffee contains small amounts (about the same as you’d find in a hot chocolate).
And if you do reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet, what can you instead of reaching for a cup of tea or coffee when you're feeling sluggish?
Here are some suggestions from Mark Winwood, Clinical Lead for Mental Health Services at AXA Health for some caffeine-free pick me ups to try when you need a boost.
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Drink lots of water
You may be surprised by how much fluid you take in with cups of tea during the day… Make sure you replace your usual caffeinated drinks with an alternative. If you’re feeling tired and headachy, it could be because you’re dehydrated.