Every new year there’s always room to optimize and refresh our individual health, but wait…
The last few years have brought new learning to what it means to be truly well, right?
Whether in terms of immunity, mental health, or otherwise, it’s time to put those new learnings into action!
Functional Foods and Adaptogens Trends
The old rules are out. So, on behalf of the revamp you’re (we’re all) hoping for, chances are that you’re making your plans right now for what your next health habits will include.
Recent years are reported to have significantly accelerated both 1) the growth of, and 2) the public interest in: functional foods and adaptogens.
- Keep reading as we review how to balance this surge with daily Japanese green tea drinking
What are adaptogens?
By definition, adaptogens are natural substances such as herbs and fungi (and yes, matcha) that may help the body handle everyday physical and mental stress. Many of them have been used for thousands of years in traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Top Functional Foods and Adaptogens
‘Functional foods and adaptogens’ is a shift that makes a lot of sense… Basic nutrition is no longer cutting it, people like you are demanding more than ever from what they are putting in their body.
It’s likely if you’re reading this that you are part of this change in paradigm. For example, the thought that you may be able to get an immunity boost alongside a daily meal or drink. That’s big, and happens to sound a lot like Japanese green tea, e.g. matcha or sencha tea.
Withstanding that many of us hold our daily green tea close to heart and that it’s one of the most rigorously verified adaptogens, it’s prescient to note there’ll never be a “be-all, end-all” when it comes to functional foods – especially with interest set to explode.
So, as millions of us participate in this shift and continue building upon our own functional diet strategies, some questions naturally come to mind.
Can you take more than one adaptogen at a time?
Here we broadly review how a handful of most common adaptogens might interact and/or work together with Japanese green tea – not only helping us to find a good mix of functional supplements – but also to help make informed decisions for our health and make sure we don’t upend our daily green tea ritual (e.g. can you take matcha with ashwagandha?).
It’s a question that can be answered countless ways, but generally comes down to two concerns.
- Firstly, whether it’s safe to combine certain adaptogens.
- And secondly, whether it’s beneficial, such as if there’s increased efficacy or combined effects.
Example: Is it safe to mix Ashwagandha and Matcha?
At the root of the definition, an “adaptogen” must be non-toxic, while having balancing properties (i.e. a non-specific effect).
Ashwagandha for example may fight fatigue, but has also been known to bring relaxation (even sleep). Similarly, matcha green tea is regarded as an energizer, but also results in a relaxed effect in those who need it.
Do Adaptogens work together?
Like those above, most adaptogens conduct their effects largely through different pathways in the body. That’s a good thing to look for when combining functional supplements.
In fact, by choosing adaptogens which function in the body through independent means, you may be able to avoid any counteracting interactions between them.
Three adaptogens people often pair with matcha
Chaga mushroom
Growing wild, chaga looks like a lump of black charcoal on the side of a birch tree, so you’d hardly guess it’s a prized mushroom. Like matcha, it’s rich in antioxidants. In ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) tests, chaga has been reported at up to about 1,500 units per gram, in a similar range to what’s been identified for matcha powder. [1]
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Good to know: when comparing ORAC numbers, check the serving size. Many sources report per 100g rather than per gram.
To try it, brew a tea from the mushroom pieces, or stir a little chaga powder into your daily matcha.
Licorice root
The root, not the candy, is the part that’s been used for centuries. Its best-known compound is glycyrrhizin, which can cause problems in large amounts, so most people choose deglycyrrhizinated licorice root (DGL) unless a physician says otherwise. [2] DGL still keeps licorice’s flavonoids and is traditionally taken for digestive comfort, which pairs well with the gut-friendly side of matcha covered in our post on the gut-brain axis.
Astragalus
Known as ‘huáng qí’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus is one of that system’s mainstay herbs. Of its many species, Astragalus mongholicus and Astragalus membranaceus are the two most studied. You’ll find it in capsules, tablets, powders, herbal teas and foods.
As with most adaptogens, people tend to notice results after taking it consistently for two to six weeks, much like the research on matcha and long-term use. Because astragalus acts on the immune system, anyone with an autoimmune condition should talk with their healthcare provider before starting it.
Mixing Adaptogens for Maximum Benefits?
Still, this is an area where personal experience reigns… Another way to think of it, is that the broader scope that you offer your body, the more it has to pick-and-choose from at any given time for adaptogenic benefits.
But is it still possible to overdo it? With functional foods about to rocket, there’s inevitably going to be those who overload themselves in the craze, especially amid an unending labyrinth of herbs, mushrooms, and more (e.g. Astragalus root, Rhodiola rosea, Cordyceps, Turmeric, Chaga Mushroom, Gotu Kola, etc).
Is it possible to have too many adaptogens?
For those reasons, it makes sense to keep some discretion and encourage others to do the same, such as focusing on what is most needed for one’s health.
You may find it wise to pick a few key adaptogens to stick by for regular, daily use – great examples are that of Japanese tea, and turmeric – all while alternating as needed between others, like astragalus, reishi, or gotu kola.
Ways to get more adaptogens into your diet/functional food strategy
It’s up to each of us to find what ways to include adaptogens (and when) into our functional food strategy. As Japanese green tea goes to show, it doesn’t have to always be in “pill form,” either.
Aim to consume adaptogens in whole-food form when possible, like to bring flavor into a meal (e.g. adding a slice of ginger root or a dash of matcha powder to a soup).
By using a meal-based delivery, you may be able to incorporate more total adaptogens and in reasonable proportions.
Should you replace one adaptogen with another?
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to supplementing with functional adaptogens, stick to what you already know works for you.
And when it comes to experimenting with other adaptogens, to do so wisely and consider how they may work alongside your daily go-to’s (for us that’s always at least matcha tea).
Although only your doctor can say for certain, there are no known safety concerns or interactions for healthy adults in terms of Japanese green tea, including how it may interact with other adaptogens. It’s still worth reviewing any new adaptogen with a healthcare practitioner who knows natural medicines.
The Bottom Line
Lastly, it’s arguable to stay steadfast with your daily green tea as we navigate the functional food craze; asking not so specifically how one adaptogen may react with your daily green tea, but more rather, how all the pieces fit together – and which ones you feel offer your health the best results.
–Team Matcha.com
References
[1] Balandaykin ME, Zmitrovich IV. Review on Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Higher Basidiomycetes): Realm of Medicinal Applications and Approaches on Estimating its Resource Potential. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2015;17(2):95-104.
[2] Omar HR, Komarova I, El-Ghonemi M, et al. Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2012;3(4):125-138.
