How Drinking Matcha Tea at Different Times of The Day Will Help Your Body ...

For many, their go-to time to drink matcha is first thing in the morning, either on an empty stomach, with a cup of water or alongside breakfast. With all the health benefits of matcha – from its powerful antioxidants (which fight cell-damaging free radicals) to its impressive line up of vitamins and minerals – morning can be a great time to consume matcha in order to really let your body absorb all the great nutrition and make the most of it throughout the day.

Due to its high caffeine content, matcha is also a great coffee substitute; although, unlike coffee which can be associated with short-term spikes in energy, matcha offers sustained energy. This is due to its slightly lower caffeine content and its L-theanine amino acid, which appears to slow the effects of caffeine and have an overall calming influence on the body, while still increasing focus. This means you get the boost you need – without the caffeine crash.

While there are plenty of benefits to drinking matcha in the morning, you can still harness all it has to offer in terms of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants at other times during the day. As it turns out, another great time to consume matcha is right before a workout.

Consuming matcha before exercise can help you get the most out of your workout and may even boost weight loss. Matcha can be particularly helpful if you’re someone who tends to exercise after a long day at work, but find it’s difficult to summon up the energy.

It’s easy to feel sluggish after a meal, and if you’re someone who consistently finds their energy waning after eating, then matcha might just be the perfect thing for you. Not only will it help with that dreaded bloated feeling, but it will also counteract any sleepiness. Matcha also helps aid digestion due to its high polyphenol content (a micronutrient that’s packed with antioxidants and other health benefits), which can help return your gut bacteria to a healthy balance and reduce inflammation.

For the same reasons that matcha makes a great drink first thing in the morning, it’s also the perfect pick-me-up in the afternoon. Many people find that they experience a mid-afternoon crash around 2:30pm, which is usually due to a combination of natural circadian rhythms, dips in blood sugar levels (due to diet factors, like consuming too many carbohydrates early in the day) and even drinking too much coffee in the morning. Instead of reaching for a sugary pick-me-up, opt for a tea instead. Matcha is the perfect thing to lift you out of your afternoon slump and give you another boost of energy without the jittery side-effects of coffee.

It might come as a surprise, but it’s perfectly fine to consume matcha at night. You might even find it will give you a nice energy boost for the evening without interfering with your sleep. The L-theanine amino acid can lower blood pressure, having a relaxing effect on the body, while also raising serotonin and dopamine levels, which can reduce any anxiety and your body’s levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). All of this can leave your body in the perfect, relaxed state, ready to make the most of sleep when you finally climb into bed.

Ultimately, you can drink matcha at any time, although consuming it at different points in the day will certainly have varying outcomes. Don’t be afraid to experiment, so you can discover the time that works best for you to help nourish your body and mind.