Imagine waking up in the morning, birds chirping, sun is shining; you awake nice and slow after sleeping in and mosey on over to the kitchen where you get to enjoy some peace and quiet as you make your morning beverage of choice, and if its a warm one you get to enjoy it that way...Now throw that image out the window because you are a MOM- which means that ‘birds chirping’ translates to children screaming, no sleeping in, and no ‘mosey-ing’ anywhere! You are scrambling and rushing and juggling and struggling because everyone in the house is in a rush to get out the door and to their destinations on time. And that morning beverage you fantasized about? Accidentally forgotten in the microwave and cold if you wanted it warm, because oftentimes moms do not get what they want. Especially in the mornings. They are too busy worrying about making sure their families get what they want, in the most peaceful and hopefully quiet way imaginable.
But what if there was a way for moms to get what they want in the morning, made possible by their morning beverage? And wouldn’t it be nice if that beverage provided ‘supermom’ powers- a beverage that not only tastes good, provides mom-level energy and focus, is chalk full of health benefits and can be enjoyed warm or cold, even if by accident? Well mamas, you are in luck, because matcha is that very beverage, and will have you wanting to sport a bright green cape with all the supermom benefits you will obtain from enjoying it!
So what is it exactly? Matcha is a vibrant green tea powder made from tea leaves that hail from Japan and can be made into a powerhouse beverage that offers endless health benefits and provides long lasting energy blended with focus and a sense of relaxation… which is a dream combination for mothers! How can a beverage offer so much, all the while help you relax while giving you energy at the same time? It is thanks to matcha’s high levels of L-theanine and catchetins, otherwise known as antioxidants, including EGCG.
L-theanine helps work with the caffeine that matcha contains, to alter its effects and make it work better in the body, releasing it slowly and creating lasting energy from 4-6 hours all the while avoiding feelings of anxiousness as well as any ‘crash’ feelings that can come from too much caffeine at once. It also decreases stress levels and induces feelings of relaxation thanks to its increase in alpha wave activity in the brain. Increased memory, improved reaction time and better focus are also all positive side effects of matcha, which are all things moms can appreciate! Especially since “mom brain” is a term used by many to explain a mother’s often experienced “brain fog”- again, matcha to the rescue!
Some other health benefits that moms can factor into consideration as to why they should start drinking more matcha include the facts that matcha can fight off cancers, heart disease and can help with weight loss. This is where matcha’s powerful antioxidants and EGCG come into play.
EGCG also is known to have powerful antioxidant properties that can fight off inflammation and free radicals in the body that can lead to cancers- including breast cancer stem cells- which threaten not only the well-being of mothers but all women alike. And just like breast cancer, heart disease is something mothers and women worry about often. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Matcha’s rich antioxidant properties have also been known to combat heart disease by improving circulation and decreasing certain heart disease risk factors. One of these factors is weight as drinking matcha can help with weight loss by increasing one’s metabolism, helping them to burn up to four times as many calories. This is good news for moms who are trying to lose the extra baby weight in a safe way, and better yet with a delicious drink!
And for new moms who decide to breastfeed, matcha is safe for consumption in moderation, as well as during pregnancy. This is great news for pregnant or nursing mamas who find themselves drained of energy and in need of a nice boost with added clarity and feelings of happiness as the antioxidants in matcha help to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Now that is something to smile about! *To make sure you are being safe make sure it is ok with your doctor before consuming matcha during pregnancy or breastfeeding, especially if you have not previously consumed matcha.*
So there you have it mamas! Make the switch to matcha and become a supermom in the mornings, afternoon or anytime you feel you need a boost of stress-free energy, health benefits and feelings of happiness! A beverage you can enjoy in a multitude of ways that gives you the energy you need to tackle that super difficult and yet super rewarding job known as “motherhood” :-)