Mindful Matcha Latte Benefits & Recipe

If you haven't tried Matcha Green Tea I'm sure you have at least heard of it or seen it. It is visually a vibrant green tea with a rememberable taste that is earthy and robust. This tea is dissolved into water, generally by whisking or blending as opposed to steeped in bags with the remains being thrown away, which is why it packs such a punch of antioxidants. These numbers are off the charts!

Matcha green tea possesses antioxidant levels of 6.2 times that of goji berries, 7 times that of dark chocolate, 17 times that of wild blueberries and 60.5 times that of spinach! WOW! What has your coffee done for you lately?

The list of benefits goes further than that. Did you know that Matcha green tea also does the following:

1. Cancer Preventer

Green tea contains potent antioxidants called catechins, which scavenge for dangerous free radicals in the body. The most powerful catechin found in green tea is EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is believed to be a powerful anti-carcinogen.

A 2003 University of Colorado study confirmed that drinking 1 cup of matcha green tea has 137 times the amount of antioxidant EGCG compared to a conventional cup of green tea.

2. Anti-Ager

One of the locales in the world where people live the longest is Okinawa, Japan. The Okinawan people's longevity has been partly attributed to regular consumption of Matcha Green Tea.

Matcha green tea is the most popular green tea in Japan, but is rapidly gaining more popularity throughout the world because of its ability to combat inflammation, oxidation and aging.

3. Weight Loss

A 1999 study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that green tea extract rich in catechins has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by the tea's caffeine content.

It was found that consuming green tea increased thermogenesis (the body's rate of burning calories) from 8-10% to 35-43% of daily energy expenditure.

Another study demonstrated that exercising immediately after drinking matcha green tea resulted in 25% more fat burning during exercise.

Both studies suggest matcha green tea can enhance both resting metabolic rate and fat burning

4. Mind Improver

Matcha green tea contains up to 5 times more L-theanine than conventional green tea. L-theanine is an amino acid with psychoactive properties, capable of inducing alpha wave activity in the brain.

Stress is known to induce the brain's beta wave activity, leading to a more agitated state. Alpha wave activity can relieve stress, promote relaxation and even lower blood pressure.

Although matcha contains some caffeine, the relaxing properties of L-theanine counterbalance the "jittery" effects of caffeine. Therefore, a cup of matcha green tea promotes concentration and clarity of mind without producing any of the nervous energy typically associated with coffee.

5. Immune Booster

Furthermore to the immune-boosting effects that antioxidants have on the body, study have shown that the catechins in matcha also have antibiotic properties. Matcha is full of nutrients, such as flavonoids, iron, protein, calcuim, vitamin A, and vitamin C, which help keep the immune system strong.

Did you know that flavonoids battle bad breath and soothe sore throats? That along with the antioxidants work together to kill bacteria that are responsible for many common colds and flus.

Mindful Matcha Latte Recipe

Ingredients 1 scoop Vegan Protein Powder

1 scoop Organic Matcha Powder

½ cup Warmed unsweetened almond milk

1 cup Hot Water (let sit for 5 minutes before adding)

Pinch Vanilla Powder

*Raw Honey or other natural sweetener optional*

Directions

1. Add hot water, matcha, maca, vanilla protein powder together and pulse blend.

2. Add warmed almond milk and blend until frothy

3. Add sweetener if wanted

*Tip: Lift the lid between pulses while blending to allow hot air to escape to eliminate spillage.

Information References

1. http://living-qi.com

2. http://www.matchasource.com/matcha-tea-health-benefits-s/14.htm

3. www.thenibble.com

4. Xin-Xin Zheng, Yan-Lu Xu, et al. Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials Am J Clin Nutr August 2011.

5. Abdul G Dulloo, Claudette Duret, et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 70, No. 6, 1040-1045, December 1999

6. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/3-surprising-ways-break-through-your-weight-loss-plateau

7. Dr. Sara Solomon,BSc, PT, DMD https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/8-wonders-of-matcha-green-tea.html