Cutting Ties: Swapping Coffee for Matcha

I have been toying with this idea for a little while now and decided to finally go through with it. I believe that while coffee gives me that jolt that I need first thing in the morning...I feel like my insides didn't exactly love it most times. I felt inflamed. Hot almost. Make any sense? I really do love coffee...but I don't think my body does.

So I thought I would cut it out of my diet to see if it made any difference. I have done some research on substituting coffee for match green tea and the information that I found was rather interesting!

I have to tell you that for the first three days....I thought I had contracted some horrible illness. I felt so awful. My head constantly hurt and I was so tired and cranky. Obvious caffeine withdrawl going on.....but it passed!! i substituted my coffee intake, which wasn't really that much (1-2 per day maybe) with homemade matcha green tea lattes (see my recipe blog on how to make them). I love them and they're so easy to make!! You can also drink regular matcha green tea (loose or bagged), I just happen to love lattes, so that has been my go-to drink.

Here are some interesting facts on matcha green tea:

1) Coffee causes a spike in adrenaline, glucose and insulin levels which is why you sometimes feel that jittery, wired feeling. Matcha green tea has a better caffeine high, with a lower amount of caffeine. Unlike coffee...it doesn't start off with that jolt and then leave you to crash only hours later. The caffeine binds with matcha's phytonutrients in a way that slows the body's absorption of the caffeine....so it last longer. Matcha serves up approximately 25mg of caffeine per serving, which is about a quarter of what you get from your morning cup of coffee.

2) No coffee breath and no staining of your teeth's enamel. Matcha is supports healthy teeth and gums and helps to kill the bacteria in your mouth that causes plaque and bad breath. The antibacterial effects act as microscopic plaque scrubbers that help to prevent cavity formation, tooth decay and periodontal disease.

3) Your skin loves it! Matcha can help clear up acne and has antibacterial properties that leave your skin glowing.

4) Matcha is loaded with antioxidants which have been linked to so many health benefits and is also used as a therapeutic method for the treatment of disorders such a cancer.

5) Matcha helps with anxiety. The amono acids found in matcha, help to promote calmness instead of amping up and increasing anxiety levels.

6) Drinking matcha during cold and flu season is a great way to stay hydrated and can help to ward off infections. Matcha has antiviral and antibacterial properties which can help in destroying or suppressing 'bad' bacteria and can work toward preventing and combating illness.

7) Matcha has great probiotic qualities - polyphenols. These are naturally occurring compounds found in the tea plant. These polyphenols introduce good bacteria and help to decrease bad bacteria.

8) Matcha helps with weight loss as it increases the body's rate of burning calories from around 8% to 35%of daily energy expenditure! Weight loss seekers should try cold brew matcha and your body is required to work harder, which in turn burns more calories.

10) The natural sugars in matcha helps to stabilize blood sugar, which makes it a great option for diabetics to drink. Polysaccharides in green tea are often used in China as a treatment for diabetes.

11) Matcha enables hydration. Drinking alot of matcha....especially cold brew, helps to keep you hydrated! It is recommended that you take 2 or more 16oz. servings a day to keep you hydrated.

xo

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