Meet Buzz Lite, the First Coffee With a Microdose of Caffeine

Nothing is a double-edged sword quite like the caffeine in coffee. There’s no denying the energy boost it can give, but it’s one that’s best for productivity sprints, not marathons. Its high is short-lived and when it expires, the crash can hit hard. So hard, in fact, that many consistently keep refilling their mug throughout the day just to avoid it.

Like a lot of people, Andrew Cooper worked at a place where the cups of Joe overflowed. “The company was being run off caffeine and if you even looked at the artwork [in the offices] it was all about hustling and getting stuff done,” he says. (Don’t get him wrong, Cooper told me that he’s all for productivity, but was starting to think the glorification of hustle culture was a bit much.)

Unsurprisingly, Cooper says his excess coffee consumption eventually caught up with him: “One day, I overdid it and just felt so terrible.” He tried switching to tea, but found he still missed the taste of coffee. And since his only options were to go back to traditional java or opting for decaf—neither of which he wanted to do—he decided to create the very first coffee with a microdose of caffeine, Buzz Lite, as a means of enjoying smaller quantities of caffeine without the crash.

One cup of Buzz Lite has 10 percent the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee, which Cooper settled on because it’s the same amount used for microdosing substances such as LSD and psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms). “My thought process was, caffeine is another psychoactive drug,” he says. It’s not a jolt of caffeine, just a nudge. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

The brew is made by blending together decaf and regular coffee, at a 90:10 ratio. Cooper explains that the beans used for the 90 percent are decaffeinated through a natural sugar process, where sugar latches onto the caffeine to remove it, but not reduce the rich flavor of the beans. Then, the beans are mixed and roasted together.

What to consider when microdosing caffeine

Just like with regular java, the results may vary because people metabolize caffeine at different rates. This is why one person can have a cup of Joe after dinner and still sleep soundly, while the jolt from an afternoon latte may be enough to keep someone else up hours past their bedtime. But in general, you can expect the effects of Buzz Lite to be a fraction of what you’d get from a mug of drip coffee, which makes sense when you think about it.

More than anything, Cooper says he hopes that calling out exactly how much caffeine is in a serving (20 milligrams) on the label will lead to people thinking about the amount of caffeine they’re consuming—similarly to how alcohol content is called out on beers, wines, and spirits. “We consume caffeine in a lot of different ways, including drinking soda and tea, but most people don’t know exactly how many milligrams of it makes them feel a certain way, so hopefully this will start to help people make that connection,” he says.

What a registered dietitian thinks

Robin Foroutan, RD, is a registered dietitian who is unaffiliated with Buzz Lite. In her unbiased opinion, she says it certainly could be beneficial to many people—particularly those who are sensitive to caffeine. “Some people feel super jittery after drinking coffee or experience digestive issues, so a lower caffeine amount could help people who don’t tolerate it well feel more energized [without the negative consequences],” she says.

Foroutan adds that while Buzz Lite may be the first coffee with a microdose of caffeine, the idea of microdosing caffeine isn’t new. “Actually, a lot of people do this without realizing it, such as nursing the same cup of coffee or latte for hours on end, or drinking a low-caffeinated tea throughout the day,” she says. “And there are actually scientific studies showing that microdosing caffeine can be good for brain health.”

When it comes to the health benefits of drinking coffee, Foroutan says caffeine content definitely matters. “There are many studies showing that drinking coffee regularly is linked to reducing the risk of certain inflammatory neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease. But there are also studies showing that too much caffeine isn’t good for you either,” she explains, saying that this comes down to (once again) how quickly someone metabolizes the caffeine. Foroutan adds that the source of the coffee matters too, as some coffee is contaminated with mold or other pathogens.

All of this is to say that regular coffee, decaf, or something in between (like Buzz Lite) can potentially have positive health benefits—as long as you’re mindful of your intake.

Watch the video below to learn more about the health benefits of coffee:

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5 ways to make your vegan diet stick

 

Veganism has boomed in popularity within the last couple of years with more and more people choosing to change their lifestyle. This emerging trend certainly begs the question of why people find this diet to be so desirable.

The vegan style of living has been proven to help the environment, not only helping to save our furry friends who share this planet with us, but researchers have found that it could reduce our carbon footprint by nearly three-quarters.

As well as the environment, veganism can help to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. This is because a diet which includes a greater number of fruit and vegetables provides us with phytonutrients, which are very good for us. Indeed, this particular substance has many health benefits and provides us all with the health kick we need.

Whatever the reason, you need to ensure that your vegan diet is not only healthy but also satisfying. Giving your body all the supplements it needs, as well as satisfying the cravings it most desires.

So, you've decided to take the plunge but how can you make your vegan diet last?

Health is key

First and foremost, your health must come first. Think about what your body needs most. More specifically, you need to consider how you’ll replace the nutrients which are found in non-vegan food. To do this, make sure to research the benefits and side effects of veganism to gain greater knowledge on the matter.

Veganism isn't about just vegetables and although they are good for us, they can lack the nutrients the body needs most. Adding protein into your diet alongside your favourite veggies can help to keep hunger at bay. Add in more beans and whole grains alongside your greens. 

Transition 

Following on from the above, transitioning into a vegan diet can help to keep you on track and your health in place. Taking it one small change at a time could be less of a shock for your body, making the process easier.

Going cold turkey could leave you with cravings, however, transitioning and swapping your favourite foods items around, finding alternatives can help to ease you into things.

• Try adding to your diet in the first weeks. By doing this you’ll get used to vegan ingredients, making it seem less of a change.
• Become a vegetarian before leaping to vegan. Making this change will help you adapt more to different substitutes.
• Slowly cut down on your dairy; swap milk for almond milk, use fewer eggs in your diet and try adding vegan-based cheese into meals that require cheese.  

Substitution 

Finding a substitute for your favourite food is crucial to helping you stick to a particular lifestyle. Whether your favourite food is cheese, eat your way through vegan cheeses until you find your perfect match.

If you have a sweet tooth, being vegan doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself. With veganism becoming increasingly popular, restaurants and supermarket brands are beginning to cater to this lifestyle a lot more.

Wanting to keep it clean? There are quite a few healthy vegan options out there such as vegan cookies and protein snacks. However, make sure to take a look at the ingredients as some of these products can be packed with sugar. 

Prep and plan

Although there are many options for vegan lunches and on the go snacks now, you want to ensure that you’re prepared. If you know you have a busy week ahead, prep your food and snacks so that you’re not only saving money but also not being tempted by other offers.

Awareness

If you work in a team, it can be hard to escape the birthday treats that are often bought in. However, making your team aware of your new lifestyle can help to keep you on track. With your veganism in mind, your colleagues may bring in treats that you can also enjoy. Along with this, you can generate greater awareness for the vegan way of life and maybe your colleagues will be a renowned vegan by their next birthday…

With veganism becoming more accepted, many people are taking on the lifestyle. With over 3 million Brits turning to veganism, this could be the way of living for the future and with more support around the lifestyle, it could be easier than ever.

The Health Kitchen supplies tasty and delicious protein cookies that are perfect for on the go snacking. These vegan friendly snacks are rich in antioxidants, made from absolutely no additives and lacking in refined sugar. The vegan protein cookies are ideal for a healthy, balanced lifestyle.