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Matcha Tea: An All-Natural Healthy Pre-WorkoutWhy drink a pre-workout? The short answer is energy.
Why drink matcha as a pre-workout?
One teaspoon contains 68 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent amount of a single shot of espresso. Despite its caffeine content, tingling and jittering are not side effects of matcha. L-theanine, an amino acid naturally present in the loose tea leaf, increases alpha brain wave activity. The result is a mindfully energized state instead of stimulant-induced hyperactivity. This mindset is great for focus, and can be beneficial for cardio and strength training (and mindfulness can prevent injury!) The combination of caffeine and l-theanine creates a balanced mental state, so you can lift, run, and stretch with care and attention to detail.
Pre-workouts tend to have a massive ingredient list. It can be daunting to research the pros and cons of all of the different amino acids, minerals, and additives. Many of these products contain highly processed and/or artificial sweeteners like fructose, sucralose, and stevia. The safety and toxicity of consuming chemical sweetener is a hot debate topic. Their active ingredients are usually shrouded in mystery as well. By calling it a “proprietary blend,†these companies can be vague about the ingredients and quantities in the formulation. Although they contain some beneficial amino acids, the other ingredients may not be so benign.
“Thermogenics†supposedly increase calorie burn. There are no magic pills and cures for increasing the rate at which the body metabolizes food. By making healthy food and drink choices, being an informed consumer, and being diligent with an exercise regimen, we can obtain the health and fitness levels we desire without consuming mysterious products.
When purchasing matcha powder, ensure that the only ingredient is green tea. Some products will have added sugar and powdered milk, which reduces the vitamin and mineral content while increasing unnecessary calories.
Matcha is very easy to use! Since it is a powdered tea, it doesn’t require infusers or any specific apparatus for preparation. It can be prepared in a shaker bottle, alone or mixed with a protein shake. It’s delicious as a latte with frothed milk or a non-dairy alternative. It can be added to a smoothie, and blended or mixed in any way that is convenient.