Mounting evidence of tea’s health benefits inspired me to replace lackluster water in my smoothies with tea! This smoothie fights PCOS with a one-two punch from spearmint and matcha tea. In a randomized controlled trial, 41 women with PCOS drank either 2 cups of spearmint or herbal tea (placebo) a day. After 30 days, free and total testosterone levels of the spearmint tea drinkers were significantly decreased (with a slight reported decrease in hirsutism). Previously, the same antiandrogenic effect was shown in an animal study. Although the literature is limited, the potential benefits of drinking spearmint tea likely outweigh the risks.
Why Matcha?
Some benefits of sipping green tea include stabilizing blood sugar levels and reducing high blood pressure. Matcha tea is a powdered form of green tea reported to have a much greater antioxidant content. In 2016, a study conducted in rats demonstrated that matcha may prevent blood glucose and lipid accumulation. Unfortunately, matcha has yet to be studied in humans.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups spearmint tea
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 handfuls spinach, organic if possible
- 1/2 tsp matcha tea
- 1/2 frozen banana (optional, adds sweetness)
- 6 ice cubes
- 1/2 tsp raw cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- 1 scoop hemp protein powder
How to:
- Steep spearmint tea bag in hot water for 5-10 min and then let cool in fridge.
- Pour cooled tea into blender and add spinach, oats, matcha, banana and ice cubes.
- Blend and serve topped with cocoa powder.
PCOS Powers:
- spearmint tea = may decrease androgen levels and increase FSH & LH in women with PCOS (avoid consuming large amounts if you are pregnant, anemic, have a kidney disorder, or liver disease)
- matcha tea = very high in catechins which are antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body preventing disease, may prevent blood glucose and lipid accumulation, contains L-theanine which may relieve stress and improve cognitive function
- cocoa = high in antioxidants, may lower LDL cholesterol, can reduce high blood pressure, and may act as an antidepressant
- spinach = high in calcium which helps alkalize acidity caused by inflammation and impaired glucose tolerance, high in magnesium which some women with PCOS are deficient in
- rolled oats = low glycemic load, high in fiber, contains tryptophan which boosts serotonin levels for better sleep and a stable mood
Thanks for such an informative post. I love finding out about the benefits of certain ingredients 🙂
You are welcome! I find it fun to research them, as well 🙂
Is it the same for peppermint tea?
Good question! I believe peppermint tea has not been shown to have the same anti-androgen properties as spearmint tea, although it does have its own benefits such as relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Looks like a great breakfast! Now I just need a blender, do you have a recommendation where to get good matcha powder? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by! As for matcha, I was gifted with Organic Hachi Matcha (so I am not sure where from!) but I also cashed in my DavidsTea points for their Ceremonial Matcha. Both are very nice!
These pictures look amazing and I happen to have all the ingredients! I absolutely love Matcha but haven’t had any in a couple of weeks. I’m motivated to make this today. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Kellie from Princess & The Yard Ape
So happy you are gonna try it! Feel free to tag #phruitfuldish if you take a pic. Let me know what you think. The taste is interesting 😉
What an awesome post. I had no idea its effects on PCOS. I knew that it was used as an anti oxidant and a way to control weight gain but helping with PCOS is amazing. I’ve known a few people with that condition and this may have been a helpful tip for them.
Thank you very much! I agree that most probably don’t know about the studies that have been done on spearmint, and even if they are limited, they are promising!
This looks so good! I’m excited to give it a try
Hope you enjoy!
Wow that looks amazing. I hadn’t thought about tea in smoothies but it’s a great idea. I love smoothies for breakfast because I’m lazy lol. I’m gonna try this for sure.
I’m mad about matcha and this looks so delicious, I’m pinning and trying it tomorrow
Amazing! I am finding it easier and easier to throw matcha in anything 🙂
Mint and matcha! Sounds like a great combination. The oats are a really cool element too – added flavour and nutritional dimension.
Where can I find matcha tea? I love the idea of reducing lipids…
This looks like it would be amazing! I love that you give information about the health benefits instead of just giving the recipe. Well done!
Oh my gosh, this looks so delicious I want to try it right now. I am definitely saving this recipe and going to buy all the ingredients tomorrow! Yum!
Wow! Thank you for writing this. I started drinking matcha in the past year and am always interested in finding out how others use it and the different benefits that it offers. *cheers*
Currently wishing I could taste this right now. Normally don’t like the taste of mint in my drink but this sounds DELICIOUS.
This looks yummy! I’m always looking for healthy smoothie recipes, and I love how green tea gives me an extra energy boost, so I can’t wait to try this.
This looks delicious!!
This is such a great idea! I’m definitely going to try adding tea to my smoothies next time.
Yum, this looks delicious! Thanks for sharing, I found you on the Healthy Living Link Party!
This is so informative. Listing all the benefits of each of the ingredients is really helpful. You don’t just get the pleasure from the beautiful taste, you get that pleasing feeling that you are doing something good for yourself. Awesome!