Matcha Green Tea: The Amazing Benefits

I have the one product that is the answer to all your problems; everyone’s heard the health benefits of green tea, but we’ve taken it one step further and researched the amazing benefits of Matcha green tea. One cup of Matcha green tea has the same nutritional content of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea.

7 Amazing Facts About Matcha Green Tea

1.    Matcha tea contains a distinctive, potent class of antioxidant known as catechins, which aren’t found in other foods. In particular, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides powerful cancer-fighting properties.

2.    Consuming Matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy outflow, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy outflow.

3.    Matcha green tea provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium, chlorophyll and is rich in fibre.

4.    Matcha green tea detoxifies naturally and effectively, as it contains chlorophyll that absorbs heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminium.

5.    Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. Studies show people who drink Match green tea on a regular basis have lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while at the same time displaying higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Men who drink Matcha green tea are about 11% less likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t drink Matcha.

6.    While all green tea naturally contains caffeine, the energy boost received from Matcha is largely due to its unique combination of other nutrients. A cup of Matcha green tea can give you an increased endurance that lasts up to 6 hours and because of the effects of L-Theanine, Matcha drinkers experience none of the usual side effects of pick-me-ups such as nervousness and hypertension.

7.    Japanese Zen Buddhist monks drink Matcha green tea to assist relaxation and meditation while remaining alert. Now we know that this higher state of consciousness is due to the amino acid L-Theanine contained in the leaves used to make Matcha. Another side effect of L-Theanine is the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals enhance your mood, improve memory, and promote better concentration.

I love starting the day of with a healthy breakfast smoothie, which keeps me going until lunch time or at least until after I finish my morning workout. Smoothies are a great way to start off your day especially if your not a fan of having breakfast or don't have time to make breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 2 heap tablespoons of greek yoghurt (is heavy strained to remove liquid whey and lactose, and is high in protein, low in carbohydrates and sodium and fills you up for a longer time)
• 2 cups of coconut milk (high in vitamins C and E as well as iron calcium potassium, magnesium and zinc. Helps control your blood sugar level, antibacterial, lowers blood pressure and reduces joint inflammation.)
• half a cup of frozen blueberries (high in antioxidants, improves memory, low in natural sugar)
• half a cup of frozen cherries (or any of favourite frozen fruit)
• 1 teaspoon of honey (contains flavonoids and antioxidants that help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease, soothes coughs and throat irritation as well as being a natural sweetener and reduces ulcers.)
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds (high in fibre and protein, chia seeds absorb large amounts of water which makes your stomach feel full and therefore assisting in weight loss)

Just throw in a blender and blender for about a 1 1/2 and serve in a large glass and sprinkle on the chia seeds.

I love this recipe, if you know any other great healthy smoothie recipes please let me know, I would love to try them out. 

With love 

Rebecca

10 Tips to Long Shiny Hair

There are many products to make your hair long and shiny but here are some of my rules to get long shiny hair that have actually worked for me.

1. Use a oil as a hair mask at least once a week, this helps moisture the hair and promotes hair growth.
2. Use a shampoo and condition that is sulphate and paraben free, these chemicals only cover the hair to make it smooth and shiny but doesn't penetrate through the hair follicle. 
3. Embrace your natural hair, don't use heat on your hair e.g. hair straighteners, curlers or blow dryer. 
4. Tie your hair up loosely and don't mess with it, this stops hairs being pulled out. 
5. Trim dead ends off, the end of your hair is the oldest and tends to be the most damaged.
6. Do not comb hair when wet, your hair is at its weakest and most likely to break. 
7.  Use a wide tooth comb starting from the bottom and work your way upwards, this stops tugging on the hair root.
8. Don't dye your hair, this damages the hair strand and takes out moisture from the hair leaving it dry and damaged.
9. Don't use too many products, you will have to wash your hair less which means less stripping natural oils from your hair.
10. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water and to take vitamins, this has a massive effect on the health of your hair and overall body.

Hope these 10 simple rules help you get started on your hair journey, if you know any more tips to long  shiny hair I would love to know as I'm not a professional and I love learning from others.

Rebecca X