Green Tea: A Woman’s Best Friend (+ a green tea collagen latte recipe!)
While green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, sipping on a cup or two of this beverage throughout the afternoon can give you energy without disturbing your nighttime sleep. This can be a boon for peri-menopausal women who may be struggling with sluggish daytime energy and nighttime sleep difficulties!
For myself, sipping on a cup of green tea throughout the day is very satisfying, hydrating, and helps to maintain my energy. I think it is delicious hot or cold.
But green tea has many other benefits besides giving you a bit of energy. Look at all that fits inside a cup of green tea [1]:
– Phytonutrients, which may help you lose weight [3]
– L-theanine, a neurotransmitter in the brain which promotes a state of relaxation
– Flavonoids, including eligallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which helps to stabilize blood sugar [2]
– Antioxidants and vitamin C which boost the immune system and protects brain cells, reducing brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia
– Anti-inflammatory effects which promote heart health by lowering inflammation in the arteries, reduce blood pressure, and improve blood fat levels
Green tea is also commonly used in skin care products to improve the elasticity in the skin, maintaining its youthfulness. And it offers protection against oxidative damage caused by exercise, enhancing exercise performance and recovery. [4]
That is a lot of goodness!
I am a fan of afternoon naps to boost your energy and productivity, if necessary. But if a nap is not possible, have a cup of green tea and get a cupful of additional health benefits!
Green Tea Collagen Latte
Perfect for a morning or afternoon lift!
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/3 oz Collagen Powder
1 tsp green tea powder (matcha)
1 tsp Coconut Oil
1 tsp Maple Syrup
DIRECTIONS
- Heat the almond milk in a small pot over medium-high heat until the milk is warm, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the warmed milk to a blender along with the remaining ingredients. Blend for about a minute until well combined and very foamy.
- Pour into a mug and enjoy!
A few extra delicious options:
NUT-FREE: Use a nut-free milk instead, like coconut or oat.
MORE FLAVOR: Adjust the maple syrup according to preference.
ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS: Sprinkle with additional green tea powder to serve.
MAKE IT VEGAN: Omit the collagen powder
The research on green tea:
[1] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-green-tea-extract
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29843466/
