Some research studies suggest that drinking green tea before exercising can be beneficial. In fact, a study involving 12 men found that drinking green tea before a workout increased fat burning by 17%, according to a report on Healthline.
Teas are linked to many health benefits; such as boosting the immune system, fighting inflammation, and improving your sleep quality. Drinking tea also helps keep the skin hydrated and glowing due to the incredible ingredients they contain. But there’s one thing about tea many people might not know: Tea can be the perfect workout beverage you need to attain your fitness goals.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking that tea as a pre-workout supplement is just a fad. However, different teas can be healthy, hydrating, and low-calorie daily options for consumption during and after exercising. Read on to learn more about various teas perfect for different stages of your daily workout routine.
Teas To Drink Before Exercising
Before you can start exercising, you need to get into a positive mindset to approach your workouts with vigor and enthusiasm. And the best way to achieve this goal is by drinking tea before hitting the gym. Some of the best teas to drink when starting your workouts are black tea and green tea.
Typically, black tea improves mental clarity and elevates mood – something fitness enthusiasts need to perform at their best in the gym. Black tea also keeps you hydrated, thereby boosting your energy levels throughout intense workouts. On the other hand, sipping green tea before exercising enhances your focus, increases fat burning, and reduces muscle damage.
Other teas you can drink before workouts include chamomile, lavender, and lemongrass tea because they contain antioxidants that promote metabolism, aid in burning fat, and help reduce inflammation.
Tea Options for During Workouts
Sipping black or green tea during workouts is the best way to stay hydrated and maintain high energy levels throughout your gym session. Contrary to popular belief, the diuretic effects of black tea don’t interfere with hydration because consuming black tea helps maintain hydration in the body. When it comes to improving performance, green tea is the best option as it boosts and sustains your energy levels.
One of the benefits of drinking black or green tea for workouts is that they don’t contain additives or artificial flavors like energy drinks. However, when purchasing teas, especially those blended with herbs, ensure they don’t contain artificial flavors. The reasons for buying unflavored teas are similar to those of purchasing unflavored protein powder.
Ideally, unflavored protein powder and teas teach you how to eat and drink without sweetness. You’ll also be sure the workout drinks you prepare are light and refreshing. But, if you wish to make flavored tea, consider adding organic herbs. For example, you can blend green tea with ginger, marigold, and tulsi. This composition makes an excellent tea for recharging your batteries during workouts.
Ideal Teas for Post-Workout
After a vigorous workout session, a cup of tea boosts hydration and muscle recovery. There are plenty of post-workout teas, such as rooibos tea, white tea, ginger tea, chai tea, and oolong tea. Rooibos is a perfect option as it contains calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium; making it ideal for relieving joint and muscle aches.
Like rooibos tea, green tea is filled with antioxidants that help boost your metabolic rate, improve energy levels, and reduce fat. Since white tea isn’t as processed, it’s the healthiest option. It contains high concentrations of catechin and polyphenols, which inhibit the formation of new fat cells, promote muscle recovery, and prevent inflammation.
Conclusion
Staying hydrated is a vital component of leading a healthy lifestyle, especially when incorporating daily exercises. And while drinking water is ideal, sometimes your body requires something strong and well flavored. The best alternative for hydrating are teas like green tea, white tea, black tea, rooibos, oolong, chamomile, and lemongrass tea. These teas contain organic ingredients that help boost metabolism, speed muscle recovery, keep you hydrated, and burn fat quickly.
