5 Ways Matcha Tea Will Supercharge Your Morning

There’s nothing we need more in the morning than something to get us up and going. For some of us, it’s an early morning workout, for others it’s that big first dose of caffeine in the form of a coffee. If you love your morning caffeine boost, there are plenty of alternatives to regular old flat white. 

From lattes and brownies to even skincare, matcha tea has become a worldwide favorite. It’s also a great way to get your morning started. 

What is matcha?

Before we get into the benefits, if you haven’t heard of matcha before, don’t worry! Similar to green tea, matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. However, it’s grown a little differently. Farmers will cover matcha at least 20 days before harvest. This means the plants avoid direct sunlight, increasing chlorphyally production while boosting the amino acid profile. 

Once harvested, the leaves are ground into a fine powder, creating matcha tea. Unlike green tea, matcha contains nutrients from the entire leaf, resulting in a higher level of caffeine and antioxidants than green tea. 

Here are five ways matcha tea will definitely supercharge your morning routine. 

1. You’ll get a slow release of caffeine

While both a coffee and matcha tea will give you the caffeine fix to kickstart your day, where coffee gives you a quick hit of caffeine, matcha tea is more of a slow release, lasting throughout the day. Matcha does contain less caffeine, but it’s absorbed slowly, keeping you energised for longer while also avoiding that post-coffee slump. 

That slow release is all thanks to the L-Theanine, an amino acid that can help slow down your body’s absorption of caffeine. You’ll get your first caffeine fix of the day that will last longer and reduce stress with no jitters, win-win!

2. It may help you reach your weight loss or fitness goals

If an early morning workout is part of your ‘wake-up-and-go’ routine, matcha tea is a great addition. 

 

Numerous studies have shown that matcha (and other green teas) may help with weight loss. While the verdict is still out on the exact reasons, they’re a great alternative to sugary and sweet drinks – especially first thing in the morning. Plus, they’re a good way to rehydrate after a night’s sleep.

While matcha tea may help you, remember that both weight loss and fitness is achieved through regular exercise and a balanced diet.

3. You get a dose of some vitamins and minerals

As well as getting a dose of antioxidants, matcha tea contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Packed full of good things like vitamins A, C, E and K, matcha can help boost your immune system and help keep your skin and bones healthy!

Matcha contains selenium, magnesium and zinc, which are great for regulating blood sugar and supporting hair and nail health – just to name a few benefits. 

4. It may help with a relaxing start

There’s a reason why matcha is a go-to stress reliever with many drinkers swearing by it’s calming properties. If you find yourself easily overwhelmed or rushing about in the morning, matcha is the perfect way to focus and plan your day. 

The amino acid L-Theanine is also known for reducing stress and anxiety, and when combined with caffeine, can increase focus. L-Theanine has also been found to increase dopamine and serotonin levels, boosting your mood and relaxing your body. 

5. It may help with your oral health

We usually associate good oral health with brushing and flossing twice a day and seeing the dentist twice a year, however a cup of matcha tea in the morning may also help you maintain your oral health.

The EGCG in matcha tea can reduce the growth of bacteria in your mouth that leads to cavities and bad breath, while the polyphenols (a naturally occurring compound) can neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules in cells) that can cause damage to your mouth. Matcha tea may also help wash away acids that cause tooth decay. As well as antibacterial, matcha tea has also been shown to have anti-fungal properties, which may help prevent oral thrush. 

With a slow but sustained release of caffeine, a small dose of vitamins and minerals, and the aid in helping you reach your health and fitness goals, matcha tea is definitely worth the switch. With a special matcha bowl and whisk, as well as a scoop of matcha, you can easily make the switch and supercharge your morning (or even your whole day).

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