Green Tea in Shakeology
I want to share this post from my good friend David who is also a fellow Team Beachbody coach and stay at home Father/coach. We get the question about Green Tea in Shakeology all of the time so I wanted to make a blog post about Green Tea in Shakeology so that it was easier to find and share with those that have this question as they start their journey with their fitness and health transformation.
“I’ve had a few LDS customers/coaches ask about Green Tea in Shakeology and if this may conflict with the Word of Wisdom. What does the Word of Wisdom actually say?
http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng
5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7 And, again, astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. Strong drinks has been interpreted to mean alcohol, coffee and some teas.
10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with aprudence and bthanksgiving.
Well verses 10 and 11 are very interesting. What does the Lord Promise by Obeying the Word of Wisdom?
To those who keep the Word of Wisdom, the Lord promised: “All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; “And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; “And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
What is in Shakeology?
The Green Tea in Shakeology Shakeology is actually Green Tea Extract and it is the non-caffeinated part of the plant.
What IS Green Tea Extract? (according to Wikipedia) A green tea extract is a herbal derivative from green tea leaves. Containing antioxidant ingredients – green tea and its derivatives are sought-after amongst people who pursue health.
What does it do?
Green tea extract is 20 times more antioxidant-active than Vitamin C. Green tea extract eliminates lipid-derived free radicals and is noticeably stronger (almost 50 times) than that of ginkgo biloba extracts. In many experiments, green tea extracts show inhibitory effects on cancer cells. In addition, green tea extracts also contain a wide-ranged anti-inflammatory characteristics, so it may be helpful in treating chronic inflammatory states.
My take: The intent and spirit of the Word of Wisdom is to treat your body like a temple and don’t consume anything that is addictive or harmful to the body. I personally believe that Shakeology is in perfect harmony with this because it contains no stimulants or ingredients that are addictive. In fact, it reduces cravings for many kinds of junk foods and sugar.
My body has never been healthier in my 30 years and I think Heavenly Father is well pleased with that. If you think about the spirit of the Word of Wisdom and many other products that people consume today, I’d venture to say that monster energy drinks, stimulant supplements and potentially even mountain dew, excessive fast-food and candy are much closer to breaking the word of wisdom than green tea extract in Shakeology.
At the end of the day, I feel perfectly fine with consuming Shakeology but I encourage you to research and pray about it so you can make a good decision for your body.”
Well said. I get this question a lot as well.
Excited that it could help you out.
I’ve wondered about this since I started Shakeology! Thank you!
Yep! My good friend David did the research and was kind enough to let me share !
I just wish beachbody would state “green tea extract” on labels and trifolds it’s so difficult being an LDS coach and explaining this to other members.
Just share this post with them and it should help 🙂
The thing that bothers me is that we’re told not to use the tea plant. Members of the church have taken that to mean caffeine, but the WoW doesn’t specify why coffee and tea, and that caffeine is the only reason. They are the only two types plants we’re told not to use. There are also other substances like tannins that aren’t good for us.
I agree that it’s up to personal interpretation and revelation. A letter was read in our ward months ago stating green tea was against the WoW, likely because members were drinking it.
This isn’t to say that we can’t use extract, but I wish Shakeology didn’t contain it because the use of it makes me feel personally uncomfortable. I’m hoping that will change since I really want to try it.
Exactly what Rebecca said! Having served a mission in a very tea-oriented society, we were trained that any kind of “colored” tea was a no-go. Herbal is ok. And I get so frustrated when people think it’s just about the caffeine. There are tannins and other chemicals in the tea plant that actually block good nutrient absorption.
Thank you!
Correction on the whole extract thing, it is NOT an extract, but a powder of a green tea leaf. This is from the beachbody website: (link here: https://faq.teambeachbody.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1810/~/shakeology—caffeine-%2F-stimulant-content)
The green tea we use in Shakeology is a whole herb powder with naturally occurring levels of caffeine. We don’t add caffeine to it, the plant contains it, and it’s not removed due to it being whole herb and not an extract. Only extracts can completely remove caffeine content from green tea. Despite this, the caffeine content is very low. For example, in Greenberry Shakeology, there less than one (1) mg per serving, to put this in perspective, a typical 12 oz cup of brewed coffee sold at a popular coffeehouse contains about 250 mg of caffeine.
Thanks for the FAQ and the perspective Dustin 🙂
I think it is interesting that the scripture is misquoted. Verse 7 is wrong. There is no mention of coffee and tea in the word of wisdom, only hot drinks (defined as coffee and tea, including green tea, in other statements by church leaders). This article is deceptive and meant to sell a product to uninformed Mormons.
This is more just the personal opinion of a fellow coach and friend and not a fact or opinion of the church 🙂
I don’t think he is being intentionally misleading, and he does mention at the end that everyone needs to pray and decide for themselves. The Word of Wisdom is a principle and is not meant to be too specific, but gives us the opportunity to pray and decide what God would have us do.
Awesome article Scottie! I just had someone ask me about it and this addresses it perfectly! Thank you!
The ingredients in Shakology are amazing. They just are, except for that smidgen of green tea.
All commandments are spiritual, meaning the requirement to leave tea (camillia sinesis) alone has to do with things like obedience as well as physical health. Heavenly Father will provide a way for us to keep all of his commandments, even when something REALLLY appealing comes along.
Yes, I would agree that on a purely physical level there are much worse things than consuming this smidgen of green tea. Absolutely there are worse addictions of different kinds of foods and drinks. It is the difference between better and best. The best choice would be to not consume green tea. Better than soda and sugar would be Shakology.
Obedience to the commandments are where we will reap greater rewards than what we think we are gaining by seeing how close we can get to the line of breaking a commandment.
That all being said, I would love to see other members who love BeachBody and would like to try Shakology band together and be “examples to the unbelievers” by requesting a version of Shakeology with no green tea in it.
Thank you! I am happy to see this because, I too think Shakeology sounds great, except I am not comfortable with even the little bit of green tea. I think it would be amazing if they made a version of Shakeology without the green tea too! My understanding is that it is catered to those with a vegan lifestyle, so why not those who follow the WOW and remove the green tea. 🙂
I was thinking that too! If we could get a version of Shakeology that doesn’t contain green tea, I would be all over that!!! I’m super super super sad to not use Shakeology because all of the amazing ingredients it contains, but like you said, obedience is the real reason we’re given the WoW—and that’s what I want to do. It comes down to faith in God and His commandments, even when we do not understand all the reasons for them.
Update: Sakeology no longer uses extract but the whole leaf.
https://faq.beachbody.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1810/~/shakeology—caffeine-%2F-stimulant-content
Thank you for the updated FAQ
I was happy to run across this article today since I too had this question on my mind since I started using shakeology a few weeks ago. The problem is not that green tea contains caffeine bc it was never said by the church that caffeinated sodas are against the WoW.
I was addicted to diet pepsi for over 25 years & could drink a 2 ltr bottle everyday! And i always craved sugar! But now since drinking shakeology i have no cravings for diet pepsi or sweets! None!
So I was a lttle distrubed about the green tea and had others ask me what I thought but decided that it was better for me switching from very unhealthy lifestyle to a complete turnaround.
I just had a total knee replacment and i had to take very potentially addicting drugs for the pain. Taking them for a time for my benefit is not against the WoW. I am not drinking hot green tea bFeverage so I concluded for myself that for me to use the tiny amount that is in shakeology is not harmful–not as harmful as the 100 lbs I need to lose! I have already lost 10 lbs in the short few weeks I have been using shakeology. But if it were possible to take it out of shakeology I would feel better about it, but for me I cannot give up using it. Another confirmation I had was that I went to the temple yesterday and even prayed about it there–wondering if I should promote it to others. Even though I felt the spirit very strong while I was there (and I think if I was doing something against the WOW, I would not feel the spirit. However, i did not feel I recieved a direct answer there but today –I think by more than coincidence, I ran across this post! So everyone needs to find their own answer for themselves.
Lynn that is what I feel as well. Each individual should search and ponder for their individual answer to this question. I TOO know that using Shakeology once per day is better than the 2 Rockstar Energy drinks that I was consuming at my work break every morning.
As others have posted, the Beachbody’s website actually makes a statement different that what this article state: “The green tea we use in Shakeology is a whole herb powder with naturally occurring levels of caffeine. We don’t add caffeine to it, the plant contains it, and it’s not removed due to it being whole herb and NOT AN EXTRACT. Only extracts can completely remove caffeine content from green tea.”
I’m a coach and have been drinking it for the past 6 months pretty consistently. A friend posed the question to me recently so I’ve just now started looking in to the green tea ingredient and am feeling quite torn.
I found the following site interesting. Obviously it’s talking about excessive amounts, but I personally feel safer not having to worry about how much is too much, and just staying away altogether.
http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/drinking-too-much-green-tea.html
I agree with the person who suggested that the power in numbers could possibly band together and encourage a new formula made that would offer all of the other great ingredients minus the one that some of us just don’t quite feel 100% comfortable with it. To all whom that applies, let’s send an email to beachbody and make some changes. What’s more valuable than peace of mind?
I total agree!! I would love to petition for a tea—free shakeology!!
You are giving incorrect info. Shakeology does not use extracts. It is the green tea itself and is a stimulant… Why else would someone feel wired on it.
However, at the same time the Word of Wisdom is the least of all commandments so don’t stress too much.
If anything you should be more worried about the added sugar in nearly everything you consume that you are addicted to. Just watch Fed Up documentary on netflix. It explains the sugar addiction and how it leads to many health problems.
Just cut added sugar out of your diet ypu ll lose all the weight more than likely. Lost 50 pounds under one two months doing so with no workout.
Great article on Green Tea. It is a whole herb and made for the use of man. It helps my chocolate and sugar cravings. I love chocolate. Chocolate is also a caffeine food and I consider myself a WoW follower.
I was more surprised and concerned about the change to pure cane sugar. After trying the vanilla, I won’t be purchasing it because it is way too sweet for my taste.
I am happy to have an opportunity to choose for myself.
Love that perspective Kristy! 🙂
As for the “there’s only green tea extract” in it… that isn’t completely true. It does have whole leave green tea in it, as well. This is directly from the Shakeology/Beachbody website:
“Whole leaf matcha green tea, as well as green tea leaf extract, are used in each of the Shakeology formulas.”
https://faq.beachbody.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1810/lob/team
Thank you for sharing 🙂
I was so excited to try Shakeology, a friend sent me a few samples. I have over 100 pounds to lose..Then I saw the green tea in it. My heart sank..I decided to pray about it..well, I ended up trying it, it is pretty good. I am still on the fence about it. I feel it vital to keep the word of wisdom but my other eating habits aren’t that great either. So the dilemma…I guess it is a moral question. Are we breaking the commandments by drinking a health shake that has green tea in it. The sample says, green tea extract..so I don’t know. I use a lot of essential oils that are very good for me and have helped me enormously and I would probobly use cannabis oil over many of the addictive pain killers out there, but luckily I have not had that challenge yet in my life. I don’t know..it’s like picking the lesser of the two evils, so maybe one should pick none and stick to fruits and vegetables just like it tells us to. I can tell that the shake has a stimulant in it, it is doing something to my brain, maybe waking me up, which isn’t really bad but maybe it is giving my brain the much needed nutrition it needs…hmmmm still thinking and praying about it.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I have this conversation almost once per week as I talk with people about joining our test groups. Every time I tell them to pray about it and talk with their bishop one on one about what their thoughts are. For me personally having the dense nutrition first thing in the morning gives me more clarity as well. I haven’t missed a day of using Shakeology in over 7-1/2 years and am a full worthy temple attending LDS man 🙂