According to the CDC, more than half of all Americans meet their Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity. That means they’re less likely than inactive people to get very sick, or be obese. They are also more likely to be aware of looking to nutrition for improved health, which brings us to the topic of… you guessed it—tea.
Is tea the near–perfect drink for active people? It’s true that more research is needed in this area, but our present state of knowledge suggests that all tea types, from green to black, are an attractive drink for both casual and more serious athletes.
Black teas provide energizing effects from caffeine. If a couple of cups are consumed about an hour before exercise, the moderate caffeine content of tea is likely to enhance performance and endurance. Perhaps more interestingly, findings show that when teas of any type are consumed post–exercise, their theaflavin-rich antioxidant content may speed recovery and limit oxidative stress and damage to muscles. (Arent et al., 2010)
Green teas are rapidly becoming a beverage of choice amongst many active people. The ergogenic effects of caffeine in combination with L-Theanine in tea, can sustain the lift for longer periods of time while avoiding the negative crash effects. Amongst the many touted health benefits of green tea is the boost it can provide for increasing metal focus, as well as endurance. (Haskell et al., 2008)
See what tea can do for your fitness hydration routine. Take a moment to focus with some black tea beforehand, or add a touch of green tea leaves to your cold brew bottle filter before your next workout. One of our favorites is Keep Fit green tea blend, with yerba mate, matcha, and uplifting citrus notes. Alternatively, you can browse our entire Fitness Teas collection filled with functional teas that will support your goals.
RESOURCES
Shawn M Arent et al. The effects of theaflavin-enriched black tea extract on muscle soreness, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine responses to acute anaerobic interval training: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010; 7: 11.
Haskell, CF, et al. The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biol Psychol. 2008 Feb;77(2):113-22.