Coming right up! An antioxidant-rich matcha mango smoothie that can be made in 10 minutes for a quick breakfast on the go.
Matcha is high in antioxidants, it’s delicious, and everyone who loves taking a good Instagram photo love it because of the stunning green color. We talk about matcha a lot on Nutrition Stripped from brewing and blending the fine green powder into a Matcha Latte to fuel your morning sans coffee or giving it a boost as Matcha Tea Latte Elevated with added MCT oils for a boost in energy and healthy fats — we can’t get enough.
Green tea, especially matcha, offers a smooth, subtle energy boost because it does contain caffeine but not as much as coffee, which can be a great alternative for people who are sensitive to caffeine. Just as you can enjoy matcha in a frothy morning latte, it can also be used in your morning smoothie, combining the best of both worlds for a quick and nourishing breakfast to take with you, out the door or while juggling your morning routine.
Matcha contains the nutrients from the entire matcha tea leaf. With that, comes more health benefits and caffeine than you typically get from regular green tea. Add these potent antioxidants to powerhouse green leafy vegetable spinach, and you’ve got yourself a dream team. I blend the two, along with banana, mango, coconut or almond milk and fresh lemon juice for a delicious, simple, matcha green tea smoothie.
Stripped
Antioxidants:
Matcha tea is very high in antioxidants. Well, it’s rich in catechins to be exact — all natural antioxidants from plant compounds that help the body arm itself from free radical damage and oxidative stress, (1) and can even help prevent cell damage. (2) Since you consume the entire leaf when you drink matcha tea, you’re getting 137 times higher amount of catechins than regular green tea. (3)
Mangoes also provide a large variety of antioxidants. (5)(6) Consumption of these antioxidants —polyphenols, carotenoids, and anthocyanins — have been studied for the ability to prevent heart disease and cancer. (7) Mangoes also contain about 75% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight damage caused by free radicals, along with supporting a healthy immune system. (8)
Smooth Energy:
Matcha green tea has a subtle caffeine content — more than regular green tea but less than coffee — that helps you focus. It also contains L-theanine, its most prevalent amino acid, which is known to have a relaxing effect on the mind and body. L-theanine can help you avoid the “crash” you feel after consuming other caffeinated substances. (4) It increases serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glycine levels in the brain.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
Mango contains phytochemicals that play a role in fighting inflammation in some chronic pathological disorders that have been associated with inflammatory responses. (5)
Optimizer Option:
Add healthy fats to this smoothie but topping with coconut milk as a garnish.
You can easily add bulk up this smoothie by adding a vanilla protein powder or a neutral-tasting protein like collagen protein. Choose whatever you like and blend well.
