If you have travel plans this summer, you’ll want to read this.
Whether you’re traveling through multiple time zones or navigating long days in transit, matcha may be able to help support you! Traveling can disrupt your immune system, slow down digestion, tank your energy, and cause sleepless nights, but drinking matcha may be able to help smooth out your journey a bit. Here’s exactly how matcha can support you while you travel.
Sustained energy
Whether you’re facing an overnight flight or just a long travel day, chances are your energy will dip. Coffee can be a quick fix, but it can often leave you feeling anxious or jittery and may disrupt your sleep, which can exacerbate jet lag and fatigue.
Rather than opting for coffee, try drinking matcha for a more sustained energy boost. Matcha has a unique combination of L-theanine and caffeine. L-theanine helps buffer the stimulating effects of caffeine, smoothing out the spikes so you feel alert and focused but not overstimulated or wired. This makes matcha ideal for long flights or red eyes when you need to stay awake without feeling jittery.
Helps reset your circadian rhythm
One of the hardest parts of a long trip is adjusting your internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm. Jet lag, fatigue, irritability, and digestive discomfort can all be signs that your body clock is out of sync. Morning light, movement, and hydration are all essential for recalibrating your rhythm, but the right kind of caffeine at the right time can also help.
Drinking matcha in the morning once you arrive at your destination can help gently cue your brain that it’s time to wake up. The low-to-moderate caffeine content helps you feel alert, while the L-theanine keeps you calm and relaxed. This balance can help your body adjust to a new time zone and encourage cortisol levels to sync with the new day-night cycle.
Sticking to your rituals and routines as much as possible also matters. If you already enjoy matcha daily, maintaining that habit while you’re away can be a helpful way to reinforce your new schedule. Drinking matcha in the morning with bright natural light and then getting in some gentle movement can help your body adjust faster.
Better sleep
It might seem counterintuitive because matcha contains caffeine, but drinking it mindfully and early in the day can actually help to support sleep. While too much caffeine, especially late in the day, can disrupt your sleep, matcha offers a more balanced energy boost.
L-theanine has been shown to help promote relaxation and reduce stress, which can help you wind down more easily at night, even in a new environment.
Matcha may also help support the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system, which plays a key role in helping you fall and stay asleep.
Supports digestion
Tummy troubles can be quite common when traveling. Changes in mealtimes, new foods, hours spent sitting, and dehydration can all contribute to bloating, constipation, and digestive discomfort. The antioxidants in matcha may help gently support the digestive system, while the caffeine can help to “wake up” your digestive tract, helping you get things going, so to speak.
Keeps you hydrated
Dehydration can be a major issue during travel, especially during long flights. While water should always be your first line of defense, matcha can support your overall hydration goals and may be particularly helpful for people who don’t like drinking plain water. For an extra hydration boost, try mixing matcha with coconut water or using our matcha electrolyte blend. Staying hydrated supports everything from energy to digestion to immune health- all of which are especially critical when you’re traveling.
Better immunity
Travel often means being surrounded by more people- and more germs. Add the stress of travel, disrupted sleep, and a change in routine, and your immune system can take a hit. can also lower your immune defenses, leaving you vulnerable. And nothing is worse than being sick on vacation. Matcha is especially rich in antioxidants, especially a catechin called EGCG. EGCG may be able to help support your body’s immune response and protect against oxidative stress.
Travel tips for drinking matcha on the go:
- Choose a high-quality ceremonial matcha powder
- Hydrate before and after your flight
- Pack single-serve sticks for ease.
- Bring your own matcha
- Avoid drinking after 3 pm to prevent sleep disruptions
- Use a shaker or blender bottle to make an instant matcha latte on the go
- Pair matcha with morning sunlight to help reset your circadian rhythm
Check out more of our matcha-on-the-go tips here.
Bottom line:
Matcha is delicious, full of health-promoting properties, and be a great travel tool! From boosting immunity and digestion to supporting sleep and helping your body adjust to time zone changes, matcha can be a great choice for when you’re on the move. Try making matcha when you land to feel more energized or as part of your regular morning routine to fight jet lag.
Resources:
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