Autumn Calabrese Instagram – STRESS…it’s a B!tch am I right?! At least it has been to me. It’s one thing to have an acute stress reaction (fight or flight) to deal with a threatening situation, it’s another to live in a perpetual state of stress. That’s been me, pretty much my entire life and I’ve suffered the consequences of it. It wreaked havoc on my gut & hormone health. Here’s what I’ve learned and one change I’ve made to help manage my stress & its effects on my body. Elevated cortisol for too long or persistent stress can damage the body. It increases acidity & throws the gut flora out of balance which can lead to intestinal permeability. It can also lead to rapid aging, depression & burnout. Secretion of high amounts of cortisol robs the body of DHEA, progesterone, estrogen & testosterone. The net effect is increased glucose production (which can lead to insulin resistance), decreased lean muscle mass production, and a low sex drive. Cool I’ll just be here stressed about being stressed 🤦🏻‍♀️🤪 What does this have to do with matcha?🍵 well I love coffee, the taste, the ritual, the quiet time of enjoying it. BUT too much caffeine can lead to increased stress levels which cause your adrenal glands to work harder. It can also lead to anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, muscular breakdown, & fatigue. So if you’re already in a chronic state of stress, drinking coffee might not be the best idea. I switched to matcha almost 3 years ago, matcha does contain caffeine BUT L-Theanine in matcha is thought to reduce levels of cortisol by creating alpha waves in the brain that produce a state of calm & relaxation. I still enjoy coffee now and then but I’ve felt a huge difference in my anxiety from switching to matcha. My Carmel Apple matcha latte is the perfect fall/winter treat. Recipe in comments. #hormonehealth #stress #fitover40