Most of us have had an up-and-down relationship with coffee. It starts by giving you that comforting boost of energy you need when the alarm goes off, but soon enough the jitters, anxiety, and mid-afternoon crashes start to feel like red flags. And now Gen Z is catching on.
There’s a noticeable shift happening where more people, especially in their 20s, are saying “thanks but no thanks” to caffeine and reaching for drinks that promise calm energy, better gut health, and less side effects. Basically, an energy boost that doesn’t leave your hands shaking until you get your next fix! We’re not just talking about switching to decaf. We’re talking about mushroom coffee, kombucha, adaptogen lattes, and daily greens blends. If you haven’t heard much about them (where have you been?!), let's get right into it.
The Coffee Comedown
Coffee has been the gold standard of energy for decades. But the truth is that not everyone handles it well. Many people report experiencing anxiety, sleep disruption, stomach issues, and even hormone imbalances from their daily cuppa.
We had a look at what the word was on Reddit, and one user summed it up perfectly:
“I didn’t even realize how anxious coffee was making me until I stopped drinking it. My baseline stress dropped by half.” - u/Competitive_Snow1278
And they’re just one of many - the studies back it up. Caffeine can spike cortisol (your stress hormone), mess with digestion, and increase heart rate. For a generation that’s openly talking about mental health, burnout, and body awareness, it’s no surprise they’re rethinking what they put into their mugs to start the day.
Enter: Mushroom Coffee
If you’ve been anywhere near a health store or TikTok lately, you’ve probably heard about mushroom coffee. Heck, we even did a blog post about it (we totally got in there before it was cool, just sayin’)! And no, it’s not a latte made with button mushrooms.
These are functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, and cordyceps which are blended with coffee or served on their own. The idea is that you get the energy without the crash, better focus, and adaptogenic benefits that support your nervous system.
Mushroom coffee isn’t caffeine-free unless you choose it that way, but it tends to have less caffeine overall, and the adaptogens help smooth things out. It’s the perfect middle ground for many people and a lot of our clients with acid reflux find it a godsend.
Kombucha: The Gut-Loving Alternative
Kombucha is another one that’s really popular with the younger crowd. Go into any big store and you’ll see multiple variations to choose from. This fizzy, fermented tea is packed with probiotics and organic acids. It’s known for supporting digestion, immunity, and even helping your mood.
Kombucha gives a bit of a natural lift (thanks to trace caffeine and B vitamins) but without the spike-and-crash effect. Plus, the gut-brain connection is huge right now, so kombucha fits right in.
That said, kombucha isn’t for everyone. It can taste a little too much like vinegar for some. and might be too fizzy for sensitive stomachs. But it’s definitely leading the way at the moment in the “caffeine alternative” game.
Calm Energy: The Trend That’s Sticking Around
It’s clear across the board that people want natural energy without overstimulation. They want to feel alert and productive but still grounded. That’s where drinks like matcha, herbal tonics, adaptogen blends, and greens powders come in.
We have to admit we saw this coming a few years ago when we launched our SuperGreens powder shake, a caffeine-free blend packed with energy-boosting superfoods, prebiotics, probiotics, and all your essential greens in one scoop. It’s designed to support digestion, balance your gut, and give you that slow-burn energy without the spikes.
It’s the kind of morning ritual that makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body, without relying on a double espresso just to function.
Why the Shift?
So why is this trend hitting now? A few reasons:
- Mental health awareness is bigger than ever. Gen Z doesn’t want to normalize anxiety and burnout.
- Gut health is trending and caffeine doesn’t always play nice with digestion.
- People want to feel in control of their energy and not reliant on caffeine.
- And honestly? Coffee just isn’t cool anymore in some circles. Wellness drinks are more aesthetic, more mindful, and feel more like self-care.
Whether it’s whisking up matcha, sipping on mushroom lattes, or blending up a scoop of SuperGreens in a smoothie, people are replacing their caffeine habits with what they feel are healthier alternatives. And we have to say, it’s a bandwagon we’re ready to jump on (well… maybe ONE coffee is still okay… right?!).
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