Like any other self-respecting Melburnian, I have a serious crush on good coffee. You can travel anywhere else in the world and you’ll be hard pressed to find a coffee that tastes as good as those whipped up by our super-star hipsta baristas.
The unfortunate thing is, while I love coffee, it doesn’t particularly like me. It makes my little heart flutter (and not in the way this kind of love should), keeps me awake waaay too late at night, and I prefer to drink my coffee with the creamy taste of soy milk – which I am cutting out of my diet (so it’s not all coffee’s fault).
Instead I’ve been opting for green tea and admittedly, besides when I talk for too long and let it go bitter, it’s getting addictive. I’m sleeping better, have calmer nerves, and feel somewhat consoled by the fact that it has 0 calories.
As an insulin-resistance survivor, it was interesting to read in this Lifehack article that green tea can help regulate glucose levels along with reduce high blood pressure and delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s. Which is probably what you need when you stop drinking coffee and no longer feel sharp as a tack.
According to Melbourne's own Matcha Maiden, some of the other potential health benefits of green tea include:
- Subtle increased focus and concentration (no more grinding my teeth)
- Enhanced metabolism
- Stronger immune system
- Clearer skin
- General improved wellbeing
Sadly I can’t handle the unrequited love and I have to say goodbye to my favourite duo while I’m getting some life balance (and sleep) in check. I have, however, agreed to visitation rights once or twice a week. For now, it’s mostly green tea for me.