Best Teas to Drink in the Morning for Energy, Focus and Health

The Benefits of Drinking Tea in the Morning

Starting your day with a hot cup of tea has many potential health benefits. Tea contains antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, and caffeine that can boost energy levels, improve cognitive function, and protect your body from disease. Drinking tea first thing in the morning may support weight loss, strengthen your immune system, and set you up for a productive, energized day ahead.

Provides a Caffeine Boost

Most teas contain caffeine, a natural stimulant that blocks adenosine, the chemical that makes you feel tired. This gives you an energy boost to help you feel more awake and alert. While coffee has more caffeine than tea, the moderate amount in tea can provide a gentler lift without the jittery side effects that some people experience from coffee.

Hydrates the Body

When you wake up in the morning, youre often slightly dehydrated after going 6-8 hours without fluids overnight. Drinking a cup of hot tea first thing helps rehydrate your body and prep your cells to function optimally throughout the day. Staying hydrated is linked to improved cognitive performance, mood, and energy levels.

May Support Weight Loss

Some research indicates that certain compounds in green and oolong tea called catechins may boost metabolism and fat burning. Starting your day with green tea may give your metabolism a kick start to help you burn slightly more calories. The caffeine can also curb your appetite so you eat less throughout the day.

Contains Potent Antioxidants

Tea, especially green and white varieties, contain antioxidants called polyphenols that can protect cells from damage. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals that are produced as byproducts of metabolism. Drinking tea first thing floods your body with these protective compounds to fend off cell damage right from the start of your day.

The Best Teas to Drink in the Morning for Energy

If you want to harness the energizing, antioxidant power of tea, here are some of the best options to drink first thing in the morning:

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha is a type of powdered, high quality green tea grown and processed in Japan. It's made from shade-grown tea leaves that are ground into a bright green powder. Matcha packs a mega dose of catechins, even more than regular green tea. It also creates a smoother, more sustained energy boost thanks to its unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine. The L-theanine helps calm the jitters of caffeine for an alert yet focused energy boost.

Black Tea

Black tea is the most widely consumed tea worldwide. It's made from leaves that have been fully fermented or oxidized. Popular breakfast tea blends like English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast contain black tea. The oxidation process gives black tea a bold, robust flavor and higher caffeine content compared to green or white varieties. The polyphenols in black tea may protect your heart and blood vessels.

Oolong Tea

Oolong lies between green and black tea in terms of oxidation. It combines the smooth flavor of black tea with the purported weight loss benefits of green tea. Oolong is packed with catechins that may boost fat burning. One study found people who drank oolong tea daily had lower body fat percentages than those who didn't drink tea.

White Tea

White tea is the least processed type of tea, made from young tea leaves or buds steamed and dried immediately after harvest. It retains a fresh, delicate flavor. White tea has the highest concentration of polyphenols, which may protect the skin from sun damage, reduce wrinkles, and fight inflammation that contributes to chronic disease.

Chai Tea

Chai tea combines black tea with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and clove. The combination of tea and spices provides a flavorful energy boost. Some chai tea blends also contain rooibos, a South African herb with antioxidant effects. The ginger adds a mild zing and may ease nausea, digestive issues, and inflammation.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a South American herb traditionally brewed into a caffeinated tea called mate. It has a bold, earthy flavor profile. Yerba mate contains polyphenols linked to reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It may also boost mental focus and physical energy thanks to its unique mix of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.

Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh is a type of fermented black tea traditionally produced in China's Yunnan Province. The fermentation process creates unique microbial metabolites that aren't found in other teas. Animal studies indicate pu-erh tea extracts may lower blood sugar and cholesterol. The tea also contains gallic acid, an antioxidant with anticancer potential.

Optimize Your Morning Tea Ritual

To get the most out of your morning cup of tea, follow these brewing tips:

Use Freshly Boiled Water

The water temperature you use to brew tea dramatically impacts the flavor and antioxidant content. Use freshly boiled water that's between 160-180F. This helps properly extract the beneficial compounds in the tea leaves or powder.

Steep for the Right Duration

Steeping time varies based on the type of tea and your desired flavor strength. More delicate white and green teas only need 2-3 minutes, while black tea can steep for 3-5 minutes. Oversteeping can make the tea taste bitter.

Try Different Tea Blends

Experiment with different single-origin teas as well as blended breakfast teas to find your favorites. Assam and Ceylon are two bold black tea options, while Darjeeling has a more floral aroma. You can also create custom blends at home to suit your taste.

Sweeten and Flavor Sparingly

To get the most health benefits, avoid overloading your tea with sugar, honey, or cream. Lemon, ginger, and mint make refreshing additions that complement the teas natural flavor.

Healthy Tea-Friendly Breakfast Options

Complement your energizing cup of morning tea with a nutrient-dense breakfast:

Oatmeal

Hot tea perfectly washes down a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit, nuts, and seeds. Oats provide filling fiber and antioxidants.

Yogurt Parfait

Layer Greek yogurt with granola, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey for a protein and fiber-rich breakfast. The berries add antioxidants.

Breakfast Sandwich

An egg sandwich on a whole grain English muffin or bagel with veggies gives you staying power. The protein and healthy fats will help you feel satisfied.

Avocado Toast

Top whole grain or seeded toast with mashed avocado, an egg, and red pepper flakes for a vegetarian breakfast. The avocado provides healthy fats to help absorb the tea antioxidants.

Start Your Day the Healthy Way

Making tea part of your morning ritual is an easy way to hydrate, energize your body, and flood your system with protective antioxidants first thing after waking up. Experiment with different delicious tea varieties to discover which ones provide the flavor and health advantages you love best.

Drink your morning cuppa tea alongside a balanced breakfast, and you'll be starting your day off right with a power-packed meal designed to make you feel great from morning to night.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.