Does Matcha Break A Fast? Short Answer: Only If You Let It!

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Intermittent fasting is all the rage these days. And for good reason! This popular health trend has been shown to have a whole SLEW of health benefits, including but not limited to:

A FEW Health Benefits Of Fasting

• Improve Cognition & Brain Health
• Improved Heart Health/Lowered Cholesterol
• Weight Loss
• Improved & Sustained Energy Levels

I mean, it's no wonder that people are looking for ways to incorporate this healthy habit into their lives, right? And it's also not surprising that matcha lovers (people who are usually at least SOMEWHAT health-conscientious) are wanting to jump on the intermittent fasting (IF) bandwagon. Which leads us back to the burning question:

Does Matcha Break A Fast?

It's a valid question! Cuz for some people like myself (and I'm assuming you) that morning matcha addiction is FIERCE! So fierce that, if the answer were a hard "YES!", I wonder how many of us would even proceed with fasting. lol

That being said, the actual answer is that matcha in itself definitely does NOT break a fast! It is virtually calorie-free and a 1 tsp size serving of matcha powder doesn't contain enough carbs or protein to cause a rise in insulin levels. If it DID raise insulin or contain a substantial amount of calories, it would in fact break your fast.

Matcha Green Tea Health Benefits That Boost IF Benefits

When made correctly, drinking matcha while in a fasted state will not only help keep you there, but this powerful powder BOOSTS some of the health benefits associated with IF. Here's how:

#1) Matcha Contains Caffeine

• Matcha is made from pulverized WHOLE, regular green tea leaves, which means it contains more caffeine than Japanese green tea; however, it contains far less caffeine than coffee!
• This can be appealing to those sensitive to caffeine and also to those trying to lose weight since, as you may know, caffeine boosts metabolism and helps to mobilize and break down fat cells.
• The caffeine in matcha also enhances cognitive function and can increase focus, energy levels, and endurance.

#2) Matcha Contains Catechins

• Also found in regular green tea, catechins are a type of antioxidant that have been shown to have a thermogenic effect; this means that they can help your body burn more calories and increase fat oxidation.
• Bad cholesterol levels may also drop over time as a result of matcha's catechin content.

#3) Matcha Contains Cholecystokinin (CCK)

• Drinking matcha increases levels of CCK (a type of antioxidant) which, when elevated, helps suppress appetite. This can be beneficial for those struggling to stick to their IF goals who want to avoid caving to hunger pangs before their fasting window has closed.

#4) Matcha Contains L-Theanine

• L-Theanine has been known to increase alpha brain waves, resulting in a relaxed, focused state. This can be really helpful when trying to remain laser-focused and motivated throughout your fast.
• When combined with the caffeine in matcha, (caffeine alone can cause anxiety and provide an energy boost that ends in a crash), L-theanine can counteract these effects, providing a sustained energy boost and a calmer mental state.

When DOES Matcha Break A Fast?

The only way drinking matcha could break you out of a fasted state is if you added in a bunch of sugar/carbs and other ingredients that would raise your insulin levels.

Avoid making matcha tea and matcha latte recipes that call for the addition of sweeteners and large amounts of calorie and carb-containing almond/plant-based milk, dairy milk, or creams. Read labels to ensure your IF efforts don't go to waste for the sake of your morning matcha. Unless it's THAT worth it. (And sometimes it IS!) ;)

Keto Matcha Latte

Making a matcha tea beverage that's tasty, that you'll ENJOY, and that doesn't derail you from your IF health goals IS still possible. It really can be this easy:

Ingredients

• 12oz hot water
• 1 tsp Matcha Powder
• Up to 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
• Up to 1 Tbsp Grass-Fed Butter (or Raw Cacao if plant-based)
• 5 drops Liquid Stevia Drops (optional)

*Note: Best to start with 1/2tsp or 1tsp of coconut oil and work your way up if you're new to consuming high-fat ingredients as they can cause digestive... upset... if you know what I mean. ;)

Instructions

1. Boil the water.
2. Add the water and remaining ingredients to a blender.
3. Mix for about 15-20 seconds.
4. Pour into your favoritest mug.
5. Enjoy your cuppa!

OR if you want to try a keto-friendly matcha powder that already contains MCT oil and is pre-sweetened with stevia leaf extract (which will NOT spike your insulin), give this Perfect Keto Matcha MCT Powder a try!  It has awesome reviews on Amazon and could help you skip the trial-and-error phase of trying different recipes. You ARE welcome!

Final Thoughts

So that's a wrap! Hopefully, by now you aren't still wondering if you can drink matcha while fasting and are instead wondering, "when can I START!?"

Matcha tea and latte recipes that include healthy fats like coconut oil and grass-fed butter are an excellent way to enjoy your morning matcha while still reaping (and even adding to!) your intermittent fasting result.

With these keto-approved adjustments, you can still enjoy your matcha without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Cheers to healthy and happy lives guys!

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