Add This Powder to Your Drinks to Sharpen Focus, Melt Belly Fat, and Block Fat Storage

Have you heard of matcha? The tasty drink is not only trendy, but has a plethora of amazing health perks. Drinking matcha tea or adding a scoop of matcha green tea powder to a smoothie can tame tiredness and speed weight loss. Check out all the matcha benefits below, and try one of our delicious matcha smoothie recipes.

Sharpens focus

Matcha contains five times more L-theanine than traditional green tea. Why that matters: This amino acid stimulates the activity of focus-enhancing alpha brain waves. In fact, research at the Unilever Food & Health Research Institute in the Netherlands shows that L-theanine can increase brain power by 133 percent for nearly 2 hours.

Melts a menopot

Matcha brims with the polyphenol EGCG, which activates an enzyme that prompts muscle cells to burn belly fat for fuel. In a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this effect helped green tea drinkers lose twice as much weight and four times more belly fat than those who didn’t sip the brew.

Blocks fat storage

A daily dose of matcha can reduce the formation of new fat tissue by 45 percent. That’s the word from Penn State researchers, who found that EGCG switches on genes that prevent immature fat cells from absorbing more fat or maturing. It’s clear that adding matcha powder into your diet whether it be through drinking any of the delicious smoothies below or enjoying it as tea can carry several health benefits!

Matcha-Almond Contentment

• 1 cup fat-free milk 
• 1 tablespoon agave syrup 
• 2 teaspoons matcha powder
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

In mug, microwave all ingredients until hot, 2–3 minutes; whisk until frothy. Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: Vitamin B-6 in agave helps safeguard the heart.

Coconut-Berry Blastoff

• 1/2 cup coconut Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/4 cup frozen dark cherries 
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons matcha powder

Puree all ingredients until smooth, adding more milk or ice if needed for desired consistency. Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: Cherries ease inflammation, curbing aches by 25 percent.

Sweet Orange Surprise

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup mango nectar
• 2 teaspoons matcha powder 
• 2 teaspoons honey

Peel and slice banana; freeze 40 minutes. Puree with remaining ingredients until smooth, adding ice cubes if necessary for desired consistency. Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: Tryptophan in bananas brightens mood by 20 percent.

This article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.