Hydration takes more than water, and it’s especially important for athletes pushing their limits to be properly hydrated. Whether it’s on the track, in the gym, or on long endurance rides, athletes need to pay attention to what they’re hydrating with. Every time we sweat, we lose electrolytes and with them the ability to perform at peak efficiency. Combine that with mental fatigue, oxidative stress, and inflammation post-training, and it becomes clear why proper hydration is so important.
Our scientifically formulated Matcha Aid blend combines electrolytes, adaptogens, and matcha powder to help support both physical performance and recovery. Here’s a breakdown of how its key ingredients may benefit athletes at every stage of training.
What is Matcha Aid:
Matcha Aid is our unique blend designed to support energy, focus, and recovery. Each stick combines organic matcha, electrolytes, and powerful adaptogens like cordyceps and ginseng. It also contains L-glutamine, taurine, B vitamins, and zinc, which play a role in post-workout recovery. All in a delicious and convenient powder that mixes easily with water!
Benefits of Matcha
Matcha, a type of finely ground green tea, has been used for centuries in Japan to promote a calm alertness. Unlike most sources of caffeine, matcha contains a unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine. Together, these compounds create a state of relaxed alertness, which is ideal for athletes who need steady energy and the ability to concentrate for long periods without feeling jittery or crashing later.
Beyond cognitive benefits, matcha is also a rich source of antioxidants and catechins, particularly EGCG. These compounds have been shown to help neutralize free radicals generated during hard workouts - a major contributor to muscle soreness, inflammation, and prolonged recovery times.
Some research suggests that the catechins in green tea can help with fat oxidation and increase metabolism, allowing the body to better use stored fat as fuel during endurance efforts. This may be especially helpful for athletes training in aerobic zones, or for anyone seeking to increase endurance capacity.
Read more about whether matcha is hydrating here
Importance of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential for hydration, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. When you sweat, you don’t just lose water, but also minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which regulate everything from heart rhythm to muscle coordination. Replacing electrolytes helps sustain endurance and delay fatigue, especially during long training sessions or in hot conditions.
Each mineral shows its absence in its own way. Run low on sodium and your reflexes slow, and you can feel confused, nauseous, or irritable. Low magnesium, which helps cells turn nutrients into energy, can show up as muscle weakness. Potassium is key to heart function, and too little can bring muscle weakness, cramps, strong thirst, and dizziness.
Matcha aid also contains a small amount of dextrose (glucose), which facilitates sodium-glucose co-transport, a mechanism in the gut that enhances both sodium and water absorption. This combo improves hydration efficiency and allows the body to rehydrate faster than with just water alone.
Hydration does more than quench thirst. When electrolytes are balanced, muscles contract more efficiently, the heart pumps more effectively, and the brain maintains sharper focus. All needed when you’re competing at your best!
Why adaptogens?
Training is, at its core, a form of stress. Adaptogens, herbs, and mushrooms that help the body adapt to physical and mental strain can be particularly supportive for athletes. Cordyceps, a medicinal mushroom, is known for enhancing cellular oxygen utilization and ATP production. Early studies suggest it may improve aerobic capacity and delay fatigue.
Ginseng has been used for centuries to boost endurance, vitality, and recovery. Studies on ginseng have looked at its effects on fatigue, stress hormones like cortisol, and mental performance, all of which can be taxed during intense training.
The benefits of amino acids and micronutrients
We’ve also included L-glutamine, taurine, and B vitamins in our Matcha Aid hydration sticks. These nutrients have been shown to help support the body’s repair systems post-exercise.
L-glutamine helps replenish muscle glycogen stores, while taurine assists in cellular hydration, antioxidant defense, and muscle function. B vitamins aid in converting carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and support red blood cell formation, while zinc aids in tissue repair.
How to use Matcha Aid
There's no need to sift it. Just add a stick to a bottle of water, ice water, or lemon water and shake. It works as a pre-workout drink for steady energy or afterward to rehydrate, and it's also handy on travel days or as an alternative to an energy drink when you need a lift without the sugar. Learn more about electrolytes and when to replenish them.
Bottom Line:
All the ingredients in Matcha Aid - electrolytes, matcha powder, adaptogens, and key amino acids and B vitamins - work together to address multiple physiological needs for athletic performance. Think of it as a delicious addition to your sports nutrition protocol.
DISCLAIMER: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes
Resources:
Venables, M. C., Hulston, C. J., Cox, H. R., & Jeukendrup, A. E. (2008). Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(3), 778–784. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.3.778
Jurgens, T. M., Whelan, A. M., Killian, L., Doucette, S., Kirk, S., & Foy, E. (2012). Green tea for weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd008650.pub2
Shirreffs, S. M., & Sawka, M. N. (2011). Fluid and electrolyte needs for training, competition, and recovery. Journal of sports sciences, 29 Suppl 1, S39–S46. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.614269
Bach, H. V., Kim, J., Myung, S. K., & Cho, Y. A. (2016). Efficacy of Ginseng Supplements on Fatigue and Physical Performance: a Meta-analysis. Journal of Korean medical science, 31(12), 1879–1886. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.12.1879
Shigeta, M., Aoi, W., Morita, C., Soga, K., Inoue, R., Fukushima, Y., Kobayashi, Y., & Kuwahata, M. (2023). Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation. Nutrition journal, 22(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-023-00859-4
Hirsch, K. R., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Roelofs, E. J., Trexler, E. T., & Mock, M. G. (2017). Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. Journal of dietary supplements, 14(1), 42–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386
