Benefits of Matcha Green Tea and When to Drink

As far as superfoods go, you can’t get much more super than a cup of matcha green tea! The health benefits of matcha green tea are well known, with research showing improvements to cardiovascular health, brain function, and cancer prevention to name a few. In the short-term, drinking matcha tea also increases focus and concentration, as well as reducing appetite.

But is there an optimum time to enjoy your matcha? In truth, you will get the long-term benefits irrespective of when you decide to have a drink, but you can pick the best time to maximize the short-term gains.

Before Exercise

One of the best times to have a cup of matcha is about half an hour before exercise. Studies reveal doing so increases the rate at which the body can burn calories, as well as improving physical performance. The caffeine in matcha also helps increase focus, making it easier to push yourself harder and for longer.

Use the Benefits of Matcha Green Tea To Stay Focused

Whether you are at work or doing jobs around the house, matcha is a great way to stay focused over a long period. Unlike coffee, the caffeine in matcha is released steadily over around three hours. This slow-release means you get the increased concentration associated with caffeine over an extended period.

Early Afternoon

Most people experience a slump in the early afternoon, generally between around 1-3 p.m. If this is something you can relate to, reaching for some matcha could be the best way to get through it. Again, the slow-release caffeine is to thank, keeping you up and on the go while you get through the tiredness.

When Not to Drink Matcha

There are certain times of day you should probably avoid drinking matcha. Having any caffeinated beverage in the evening is likely to leave you struggling to get to sleep, so it may be best to stick to herbal teas and water after 3 p.m. It’s also best not to drink it first thing in the morning or on an empty stomach, as this can cause digestion problems.

Regularly drinking matcha at virtually any time of the day will provide the enormous long-term health benefits. However, to get the most of the short-term gains, it can be good practice to drink it at certain times. If you follow the tips above, you should be able to make the most of your couple of cups of matcha, and stay fit and focused throughout the day.