The Olympics are just around the corner, and the team here at OMGTea can hardly wait! Watching the world's best athletes push their limits and achieve extraordinary feats is incredibly inspiring and motivating.
We even have some Olympic fans of our own; Olympic medalists Colin Jackson, Becky Adlington, Jamie Baulch, and Denise Lewis are all regular drinkers of OMGTea matcha.
Do you feel more inspired to be active during or right after the Olympics? If so, you're not alone. The Olympics have a unique ability to motivate people to exercise more. Seeing athletes perform at the highest level can spark a desire to improve personal fitness and try new sports. The excitement and energy of the Games often translate into increased physical activity, whether it's picking up a new sport, joining a gym, or simply going for more walks and runs.
If you're feeling inspired by the Olympics and want to elevate your exercise routine, consider incorporating matcha into your pre-workout routine. Read on to find out how quality matcha can provide a sustained energy boost, improve focus, and aid in recovery, helping you make the most of your workouts.
What Makes Matcha Special?
Matcha is the champagne of green tea. It comes from the same plant as all tea, Camelia Sinesis but the way it is cultivated and processed is what makes matcha so special. Real matcha tea comes from Japan and is made from the finest shade-grown leaves stone-ground to a fine powder.
Translated from Japanese, matcha means “powdered tea”. With regular green tea, which is infused in hot water, 85-90% of the nutrients are discarded with the leaves. Unlike regular green tea, you consume the entire leaf, ensuring your body absorbs all its nutritional compounds directly, making matcha an excellent choice for a pre-workout supplement.
Caffeine: Provides a smooth and sustained energy boost.
L-Theanine: Promotes calmness and focus, balancing the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Antioxidants: Particularly catechins like EGCG, which reduce inflammation and support recovery.
Chlorophyll: Aids in detoxification and overall health.
Vitamins and Minerals: Contribute to overall well-being and energy production.
Whether you play team sports, run, play tennis, or prefer workouts at the gym, matcha can enhance your exercise or fitness goals in several different ways.
How does Matcha support fitness?
Energy Boost
Matcha provides a unique energy boost thanks to its combination of caffeine and L-theanine. 88% of our 2024 Matcha Challenge participants experienced an increase in energy when consuming matcha daily and specifically noted that energy was sustained for a longer duration than what they experience with other caffeinated drinks such as coffee. This is due to the L-theanine found in quality matcha. Whilst caffeine increases alertness and energy levels, L-theanine ensures a smooth, sustained release of energy without the typical crash associated with other stimulants. This balanced energy boost can help you power through even the most intense workouts with consistent performance.
Focus & Concentration
The L-theanine in matcha not only moderates the effects of caffeine but also enhances cognitive function. This amino acid promotes a state of relaxed alertness, allowing you to maintain focus and concentration during your workout. This is particularly beneficial for activities that require mental clarity and precision, such as weightlifting, yoga, or complex training routines.
Jamie Baulch is a retired British Sprinter and Olympic Silver Medallist who has also won multiple medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games. He drinks OMGTea matcha daily, and says:
I love matcha and OMGTea is part of my daily routine... The key benefit I experience after having my matcha is an increase in focus and concentration. How I wish I had OMGTea matcha when I was competing! The mental demands of competing at the highest level can be immense and I truly believe it would have made it a smoother ride.
Increased Fat Metabolism
Matcha has been shown to increase the rate of fat oxidation during exercise, meaning your body becomes more efficient at using fat as a fuel source. OMGTea was involved in research with Acadia University in Canada and in partnership with the University of Chichester in the UK, which revealed how quality matcha can significantly increase fat burning during moderate exercise. The findings showed that participants had higher fat burning during brisk walking with quality Matcha green tea. Researchers examined the effects of three weeks daily intake of OMGTea Matcha on substrate oxidation during moderate exercise and the data showed that exercise-induced fat oxidation was significantly increased by 35%!
This is particularly beneficial for those looking to lose weight or improve endurance. Enhanced fat metabolism can also help you sustain longer workouts and improve overall performance.
Reduced Inflammation
Intense physical activity can lead to increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. The high antioxidant content in matcha, especially EGCG, helps combat this oxidative stress, reducing muscle soreness and aiding in quicker recovery. This means you can train harder and recover faster, making consistent progress towards your fitness goals.
How to Incorporate Matcha into Your Pre-Workout Routine
There are several different ways you can include matcha in your pre-workout routine and we have shared a few of our favourites. If you most enjoy a matcha tea or latte, then of course, you can make one as you normally do and drink it around 30 minutes before your workout or sports activity.
Or if you are looking for fast option, you can try a matcha shot. This more concentrated version combines a full 1 gram serving of matcha with just 60-70ml hot (not boiling) water. The matcha shot will give your senses and energy an immediate boost.
Another tasty and more substantial option would be to make a smoothie. Blend matcha with ingredients like bananas, spinach, plant-based milk, and a scoop of protein powder for a nutritious and energising drink.
Matcha energy balls are a delicious and convenient option. Whizz ingredients like oats, nut butter, honey, and matcha powder together and roll into bite-sized balls. Great for a quick energy boost on the go!
In summary, quality matcha is great for supporting your exercise goals. Its unique combination of caffeine, L-theanine, and antioxidants offers a balanced energy boost, improved focus, enhanced fat metabolism, and quicker recovery and its versatility means you can enjoy it in a variety of different ways to suit your personal preference.
