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Easy Tweaks To Make Your Matcha Gut-Healing, Blood-Sugar-Balancing & Stress-Relieving

Liz Moody
Author:
Liz Moody
March 22, 2018
Liz Moody
Contributing Food Editor
By Liz Moody
Contributing Food Editor
Liz Moody is a food editor, recipe developer and green smoothie enthusiast. She received her creative writing and psychology degree from The University of California, Berkeley. Moody is the author of two cookbooks: Healthier Together and Glow Pops and the host of the Healthier Together podcast.
Photo by Miachel Breton
March 22, 2018
Here at mbg, we’re all about Food With Benefits—whether those benefits save you money, time, or help heal your body.  In our video series, we’ll show you how to make delectable recipes, each with a unique benefit. Whether it’s a dinner for four for under $5, or a dessert designed to heal your thyroid, these meals, snacks, and desserts will make inspire you and make your mouth water!  Up today: how to tweak your matcha recipe to massively upgrade its benefits.

If you're reading mindbodygreen, you've likely already tried matcha, the powdered, whole-leaf green tea that's taken the wellness world by storm. While green tea has a number of health benefits, including boosting the metabolism, improving brain function, and decreasing cancer growth, matcha kicks even these up a notch; according to mbg collective member Will Cole, D.C, "Matcha actually has quite a bit higher levels of EGCG [epigallocatechin gallate, an epic antioxidant] than other green teas—compared to the highest levels of EGCG in regular green tea reported in the medical literature, one study1 found that matcha had up to three times more EGCG!"

While that's all fairly impressive, here at mbg, we thought we could take those benefits up even more. We concocted three easy upgrades to a basic matcha recipe designed for specific benefits: gut-healing, blood-sugar-balancing, and stress-relieving.

The Minted Collagen Matcha uses gut-soothing peppermint extract to help relax the intestinal tract2, soothing bloat and relieving cramping. The collagen adds protein, viscosity, and "contains healing properties for the gut that help 'seal' and heal the gut. This is especially helpful for people suffering from leaky gut or other digestive disorders," explains Diana Rodgers, R.D. "Supplementing with collagen can help keep your intestines working well, which means better nutrient absorption."

The Blood-Sugar Balancing Coconut Cinnamon Matcha adds fiber by way of coconut manna, a butter made of coconut flesh (it's different from the oil, which is just the pressed fat). Cinnamon has been shown in a number of studies to balance blood sugar and boost metabolism, and it adds a spicy warm flavor that perfectly complements the creaminess of the manna.

The Stress-Reducing Vanilla Rose Matcha has a sweet, delicately floral flavor. Ashwagandha is the adaptogen of choice for calming and has been found in double-blind studies3 to improve resistance to stress. Rose has a transporting scent; according to cookbook author Lily Diamond of Kale & Caramel, "Where the nervous system and the body are suffering from overstimulation, rose’s relaxant effects bring calm." Simply holding this mug and inhaling will likely do a lot to relieve tension, and sipping will only improve its healing power.

Gut-Healing Minted Collagen Matcha

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon culinary-grade matcha powder
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored collagen
  • Sweetener of choice, to taste
  • Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Method

  1. Warm milk until almost (but not quite) boiling.
  2. Blend all ingredients (save for garnish) in blender or use milk frother to foam.
  3. Top with mint leaves and serve.

Blood-Sugar Balancing Coconut Cinnamon Matcha

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon culinary-grade matcha powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 heaping teaspoon coconut manna
  • Sweetener of choice, to taste

Method

  1. Warm milk until almost (but not quite) boiling.
  2. Blend all ingredients in blender or use milk frother to foam.

Stress-Reducing Vanilla Rose Matcha

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon culinary-grade matcha powder
  • 1 teaspoon ashwagandha
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon rosewater
  • Sweetener of choice, to taste
  • Culinary rose petals, to garnish

Method

  1. Warm milk until almost (but not quite) boiling.
  2. Blend all ingredients (save for garnish) in blender or use milk frother to foam.
  3. Top with rose petals and serve.

Here's another way to enjoy your matcha.

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Liz Moody author page.
Liz Moody
Contributing Food Editor

Liz Moody is an author, blogger and recipe developer living in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated with a creative writing and psychology degree from The University of California, Berkeley. Moody has written two cookbooks: Healthier Together: Recipes for Two—Nourish Your Body, Nourish Your Relationships and Glow Pops: Super-Easy Superfood Recipes to Help You Look and Feel Your Best. She also hosts the Healthier Together Podcast, where she chats with notable chefs, nutritionists, and best-selling authors about their paths to success. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Food & Wine & Women’s Health.