The athlete and TV pundit drinks OMGTea matcha to support her overall health and well being and a survey reveals it’s a growing trend.

“Since I started drinking matcha tea every morning I have noticed a massive improvement in my energy levels,” said 4 time Olympic Medalist Becky Adlington OBE.

“I used to be a big coffee drinker but, since I have started drinking OMGTea matcha, I crave coffee a lot less. Now I only have about two cups of coffee a week.”

Adlington, who won two gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 400 and 800 metres freestyle is now preparing for a hectic schedule working as a BBC pundit at the 2024 games in Paris.

In the past, she’s used coffee to power her through but says matcha green tea is preferable. 

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and a cup of OMGTea matcha

“I think the change from drinking lots of coffee is good for my health. I'm no longer experiencing slumps in energy or little ups and downs throughout the day. I see matcha as a healthy alternative to coffee.

It has improved my mood, giving me a sense of calm and overall well being, and leaves me feeling satisfied for longer. 

"Drinking matcha has also massively improved my skin, it has been clearer and brighter since I made the switch.”

In a survey by OMGTea of 127 British matcha drinkers, 88 per cent said they experienced an increase in energy from drinking matcha while 83 per cent said that matcha improved their focus.

But the most positive response came when survey respondents were asked if drinking matcha regularly made them feel they wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle, to which 98 per cent responded: ‘yes’. 

On the subject of Team GB, Adlington added: “I do feel nervous for those competing, it’s not something I miss to be honest!”

Matcha green tea has been drunk by Buddhist monks for centuries and is known to help to still and focus the mind - it is regarded as a drink of meditation. Samurai traditionally consumed matcha before battle, whereas Buddhist monks drank it for relaxation and to achieve a sense of Zen. 

OMGTea founder Katherine Swift, says: “It makes a lot of sense for people who need to focus and concentrate to drink matcha, whether they are Olympians, TV presenters, or just everyday people with busy lives. In today's fast-paced world, many individuals facing challenges at work and home could benefit from better focus and an energy boost. A good cup of matcha is a great way to start your day. If everyone drank a cup of matcha a day, I genuinely believe the world would be a better place.”

Tiffany Mattson