A strong cup of coffee in the morning can keep you going until lunch time but drinking too much coffee can quickly become bad for you. It’s recommended to swap your coffee for water or other decaffeinated beverages in order to reduce the risk of over-stimulating yourself, but what can you do if you’re still in need of a pick-me-up? The good news is that unlike coffee, matcha contains caffeine, but comes with no downside of drinking too much. Matcha is a deep green colored tea powder which is produced from grinding the leaves of the common green tea plant and is massively rich in antioxidants and catechins that lead to a myriad of health benefits such as reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, better brain function, and weight loss. Matcha is more than a creamy, sweet latte that’s trending at the moment – it also contains L-theanine which helps to combat the ‘crash and burn’ effect that consuming caffeine can have. Here are some of the best reasons to switch your coffee for matcha tea.
#1. Stay Energized for Longer:
Unlike coffee, matcha contains L-theanine, meaning that you can stay alert for longer and avoid experiencing a come down after consuming caffeine. Matcha contains around one-third of the amount of caffeine found in a standard cup of joe, but this additional compound has a calming effect, meaning that there are no shakes or jitters if you overload on matcha in the morning.
#2. De-Stress and Relax:
Although it contains caffeine, matcha is one of the best drinks to have if you want to reduce your stress levels and relax more. The amino acid L-theanine can help to keep your mind clear and calm during stressful times. Combined with the caffeine found in matcha, this makes it the perfect drink to sip on when you’re working on a large, stressful project or spending a lot of time studying for an exam.
#3. Boost Your Metabolism:
Since matcha is a very rich source of green tea, it’s an amazing way to burn more calories by boosting your body’s metabolism. Matcha has been proven as an ideal supplement for increasing fat oxidization and energy expenditure, particularly when paired with a healthy diet and plenty of physical exercise.
#4. Improve Your Cognitive Skills:
There have been several studies which found matcha to be highly effective in improving brain function and increasing key cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and focus. In fact, a small study found that consuming just 2g of matcha per day over two months helps to dramatically increase brain function in seniors.
#5. Boost Your Overall Health:
Last but not least, swapping your morning coffee for matcha can help to boost your overall health and drastically decrease your risk of serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. Studies have found that matcha can protect the health of your liver, making it more effective in flushing out toxins from the body. In addition, matcha is high in EGCG, a particular catechin which is known for cancer-preventing properties.
Swapping your coffee for matcha can lead to a healthier, happier you!