Green tea and honey are the best duo in the fitness world! A steaming cup of green tea paired with the sweet allure of honey can speed up your fitness journey. They both have their own individual properties that blend together to give magical results.
So now grab your favorite mug filled with green tea and honey and relax while we go through all the goodies that this combo provides.
Nutritional Value of Green Tea
A sip of green tea isn’t just a delightful experience; it’s a journey into a world of health and vitality. Let’s unwrap the numerous health benefits that this ancient elixir brings to the table:
Weight Loss and Management
One of the cool things about green tea is that it contains a compound called catechins. These compounds can help kick-start your metabolism. A faster metabolism means you burn a few more calories throughout the day.
Stress eating, anyone? We’ve all been there. Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which can have a calming effect. So, it might help you manage stress and avoid those late-night snack attacks.
Green tea might also help with fat oxidation. This means it could encourage your body to burn fat for energy. Again, it’s not going to replace exercise and a balanced diet, but it’s like having an extra push in the right direction.
Also, it can help you keep those annoying cravings away. It has a way of making you feel more satisfied, which can prevent you from reaching for that bag of chips between meals.
Now, you might be wondering if it’s the caffeine in green tea that’s doing all the work. Well, caffeine does play a part by giving you a little energy boost, but green tea has less caffeine than your morning coffee. So you get the pep without the jitters.
Last but not least, green tea is a great way to stay hydrated, and we all know that proper hydration is essential for weight management. Plus, it’s a lot more exciting than plain water.
Improved Brain Function and Mental Clarity
First things first, green tea contains caffeine. Now, before you jump out of your chair with excitement, let me clarify: It’s not as much caffeine as your morning coffee. But it’s enough to give you a gentle, wake-me-up push without the jittery side effects. So, you can stay alert and focused without feeling like you’re on a rollercoaster.
It’s loaded with an amino acid called L-theanine. This acid is like a meditation guru for your brain. L-theanine can help you feel relaxed and calm while keeping you sharp and alert.
Moreover, some studies suggest that green tea might help boost your memory and cognitive function. It’s like giving your brain a little workout at the mental gym.
The antioxidants in green tea, especially one called EGCG, may help protect your brain cells from the wear and tear of aging. So, sipping on green tea could be your secret weapon against forgetfulness as you get older.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases
Green tea has been linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and reduced blood pressure. These are major factors in heart disease, so sipping green tea could be a way to keep your heart happy and healthy.
Plus, green tea might help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. For those at risk of diabetes, this could be a game-changer.
While more research is needed, some studies suggest that the antioxidants in green tea may help prevent certain types of cancer. It’s like having a preemptive strike against those rogue cells.
Skin Benefits
Green tea isn’t just a treat for your insides; it can also work wonders for your skin. Antioxidants in green tea are like your skin’s bodyguards, shielding it from daily environmental assaults.
Plus, green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties work wonders for soothing irritated skin and saying bye-bye to breakouts.
Those pesky dark circles and puffiness? Green tea’s got your back there too, reducing them like a champ. And it doesn’t stop there—it’s like a gentle exfoliator, helping your skin stay fresh and vibrant.
Added bonus? Green tea can offer a little extra defense against the sun, though it’s not a sunscreen substitute.
Plus, it’s a pro at evening out skin tone, minimizing redness and blotchiness, and giving your complexion that healthy, even glow.
So, whether you’re sipping it or slathering it on, green tea is like a beauty elixir, inside and out, helping your skin look and feel its absolute best.
Nutritional Value of Honey
Natural Sweetener
Honey’s sweetness is unparalleled, yet its composition sets it apart from refined sugars. It is packed with natural sugars like glucose and fructose, providing a quick energy boost without the abrupt blood sugar spikes often associated with refined sugars.
Honey has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for wounds and burns. It has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent infections and speed up the healing process. It’s like a sweet and sticky superhero bandage!
Rich in Antioxidants
Just like green tea, honey also contains loads of antioxidants. These compounds help neutralize free radicals in your body, contributing to overall health and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Honey has long been prized for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used topically to promote wound healing and alleviate skin conditions. When consumed, honey may soothe digestive discomfort and support a healthy gut.
Soothing Effects on Sore Throat and Coughs
A spoonful of honey can provide much-needed relief when you’re battling a sore throat or persistent cough. Its viscous texture coats the throat, reducing irritation and promoting comfort. It also possesses mild antimicrobial properties that may help fight infections.
Energy-boosting Properties
Whether you need a pre-workout energy kick or a natural pick-me-up during a mid-afternoon slump, honey’s blend of natural sugars can provide a steady source of energy without the dreaded sugar crash.
Even when your immunity is low, you can take a warm glass of water and drizzle some turmeric and honey on it. And drink it! You will feel its potency.
Benefits of Green Tea with Honey
Skyrocketing Antioxidant Effects
Green tea and honey both contain antioxidants, which makes them a powerful duo for fighting free radicals.
When enjoyed together, their combined antioxidant power is greater than the sum of their parts. This not only boosts your body’s defense against oxidative stress but also promotes cellular health.
You can find several types of honey that can be served according to your preferences. Preferences can be based on anything—taste, health goals, or simply your mood. But for health-fanatics who want to up their health goals with honey, mad honey can be convenient and the preferred choice.
Mad honey is rich in a pool of antioxidant properties that can neutralize oxidative stress and reduce cellular damage. Every honey with antioxidant properties fights off free radicals. But you should choose mad honey because of its amplified speed and potential.
It protects against various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular effects. However, make sure you consult with your physician before you try it.
Balancing the Bitter Taste of Green Tea
You might have witnessed most people making faces when they hear the word green tea. The disliking is mostly towards the green tea’s bitterness.
Green tea’s natural bitterness can be an acquired taste for some. Therefore, honey steps in as a sweet, natural sweetener, making green tea more palatable without the need for refined sugars.
This allows you to enjoy the benefits of green tea without compromising on taste.
“Regular honey can be too sweet for some. And it can sometimes spike your sugar level, although it is a healthier option. In such instances, mad honey, which
provides a milder sweetness, can be suitable for your taste.
Mad honey is smoky-flavored and sets to balance out the sweet taste with its part savory profile. Resultantly, you can indulge in the combo of honey and green tea without caring about your daily sugar intake.”
Supporting Weight Loss and Digestion
Green tea’s metabolism-boosting properties, when coupled with honey’s energy-boosting sugars, can create a potent combination for those aiming to manage their weight.
Remember, it is not only enough to consume nutritious food; your body should also absorb it well. Hence, the duo aids in digestion, making it easier for your body to process and absorb nutrients from your meals.
You cannot only achieve fitness through physical stamina; you also need some sort of mental strength to carry on with consistency. Mental resilience is as essential as physical resilience after an intense workout.
Hence, you need a similar uplifting dose from the food that you are taking. Mad honey contains grayanotoxin, which is a powerhouse of energy. It not only serves you with a load of energy but also saves your energy with its calming nature.
With mad honey and green tea, you can double the rate at which you increase your metabolism. Mad honey also has the right amount of carbs to keep you feeling full and going. Not only macros, but it also has micros like selenium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, etc. to give your immunity a constant kick.
Fighting Seasonal Allergies
Raw and locally sourced honey may contain trace amounts of pollen. Consuming this honey can act like a natural vaccine, helping your body build immunity to allergens.
And potentially reducing the severity of seasonal allergies when combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea.
“The mighty Gurung (the infamous mad honey hunters) claim to be taking mad honey for any mild to severe seasonal allergies.
The tradition has been going on since the time of their ancestors. Himalayan honey has strong anti-microbial properties that inhibit or kill microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, etc. It is more effective than cough syrup!
Mad honey with green tea provides warmth to your throat, and you regain your immunity instantly. Only in one or two days, you might start feeling better with this powerful duo.”
Note: Research suggests that 80% of fitness or a healthy lifestyle depends on your diet. However, it is also equally important to have any kind of exercise regime. You should try to balance it out because exercise provides you with physical stamina.
With regular workouts, you can strengthen your bones and muscles, reduce the chances of diseases, and enhance your ability to perform daily activities. Depending on your fitness goal and level, you can choose any physical activity like walking, running, strength training, lifting, yoga, pilates, etc.
But it is necessary to opt for the physical activity that you enjoy doing to see if you can stick with it for the long run. However, do not be hesitant to try something different outside of your comfort zone. For starters, you can only exercise for a few minutes and then increase it gradually.
Eat Healthy and move a little!
How to Incorporate Green Tea and Honey into Your Diet
Brewing a warm cup of green tea and adding a drizzle of honey is the most straightforward and time-tested way to enjoy this combination.
Simply steep your favorite green tea bag or loose leaves in hot water, let it steep for a few minutes, and then sweeten to taste with honey. It’s a soothing, comforting, and healthful way to start or end your day.
If you want to jazz up your green tea a little bit, you can blend green tea with honey into a smoothie! Or try baking a green tea-infused cake or cupcake. The choice is all yours!
Depending on your taste and tolerance, you can enjoy 2-4 cups of green tea with honey a day!
Note: If you want to accelerate your experience with green tea, you can always use mad honey as a potent alternative.
Mad Honey is a Nepalese honey that is known for its several health benefits that can have an impeccable impact on your body and mind. Here’s a blog to help you understand the difference between mad honey and regular honey: Raw Honey vs. Mad Honey: Are There Any Differences?