As soon as you wake up, is the first thing you reach for a cup of coffee? Ditch the cappuccino and consider replacing it with Matcha green tea to start your day off right. Matcha provides you with the same burst of energy as coffee, but unlike the popular caffeinated beverage, Matcha is considered a superfood, which means it is packed with awesome health benefits.
Here are 10 great reasons why you should start every morning with Matcha green tea:
1. Antioxidants and Cancer Fighting Properties
The word antioxidant is used quite often in nutrition, but what exactly does it mean? Antioxidants are responsible for fighting against UV radiation to help maintain younger-looking skin and prevent cancer. Not only is Matcha chock-full of antioxidants, but it is one of the best sources of these nutrients.
2. Burns Fat and Boosts Metabolism
Matcha green tea powder contains properties that promote increased fat oxidation. Essentially, consuming the drink will enhance your body’s ability to burn fat and calories—four times the normal amount. Matcha is a safe, natural alternative for weight loss as it does not cause any negative side effects (increased blood pressure or heart rate).
3. Calms the Mind and Relaxes the Body
For thousands of years, Matcha green tea has been used by Japanese Zen Buddhist monks as an aid for staying calm and relaxed, all the while remaining alert. Matcha is rich in the amino acid L-Theanine, which naturally eliminates the unwanted reactions of caffeine without the nervous energy from coffee.
4. Provides Vitamin C, Selenium, Chromium, Zinc and Magnesium
Matcha is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including: Vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium. Each plays an essential role in living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
5. Prevents Disease
Drinking Matcha helps lower your risk of heart disease and hypertension as well as reduces your risk of high blood pressure. It may even inhibit the development and progression of degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
6. Enhances Mood and Aids in Concentration
Not only does L-Theanine promote calmness and relaxation, it aids in the production of dopamine and serotonin, essentially helping improve mood and memory and promote better concentration.
7. Fortifies the Immune System
Catechins, a natural disease-fighting antioxidant found in plant-based foods, are the main key to Matcha’s health benefits. Catechins in Matcha green tea contain antibiotic properties, leading to an increase in overall health.
8. Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
Matcha green tea can lower your levels of bad cholesterol and increase your levels of good cholesterol. It has also been shown to possess the same ability as insulin to regulate blood sugar. Matcha is effective at keeping both cholesterol and diabetes in check.
9. Detoxifies
The chlorophyll in Matcha is a natural aid in the purging process of the body. Chlorophyll is a detoxifier, which means it is effective at both cleansing the blood and removing harmful toxins from the body.
10. Increases Energy Levels and Endurance
Matcha contains caffeine in a healthier form—not to be mistaken with the caffeine in coffee. The caffeine in Matcha, known as theophylline, works to sustain energy levels for up to six hours, without the side effects. Theophylline provides a slow release of energy, helping support the function of adrenal glands and maintain hormone levels. Giving you clean, healthy energy!
A cup of Matcha green tea in the morning will provide your body with all the health benefits it needs (along with a much-needed energy boost) without the caffeine crash you experience from a cup of coffee.