Is InnovaTea® Better Than Regular Caffeine?

Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and for a good reason. It’s versatile, inexpensive, and contains antioxidants and many other compounds believed to have health-promoting benefits.

Tea has also been an essential part of many cultures for millennia, where drinking this beverage is associated with relaxation, socialization, and other cultural rituals. This is particularly true throughout Asia, where the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is native. Today, the tea plant is grown all over the world, and people use its leaves to make green, black, white, red, and oolong tea.

One of the most important compounds found in tea is caffeine. This natural stimulant can boost energy and focus, helping people stay alert and productive. The ability to grow different kinds of tea leaves in many climates, just like coffee, has made it a favorite caffeinated beverage around the world – it’s simple, affordable, widely available, and takes no special equipment to make.

You’d think that since we’ve got a source of natural caffeine – tea leaves – that natural caffeine would be the only thing you’d find in health and energy drinks, right? Nope. Turns out many companies use synthetic caffeine in their products.

But why, though?

In comparison, extracts like InnovaTea® use naturally-derived caffeine to offer a cleaner energy boost to people who rely on caffeinated beverages for focus. No synthetic ingredients, no weird chemicals, because we don’t need them.

But is there really any difference between synthetic and natural caffeine? And what exactly is InnovaTea®?

What Is InnovaTea®?

InnovaTea® is natural caffeine extract derived from fermented leaves of Camellia sinensis. Farmers who grow tea plants used in the production of InnovaTea® follow practices to minimize their environmental impact. That means no use of pesticides and using all-natural agricultural techniques. In addition, InnovaTea® is Non-GMO Project Verified.

As a result of good growing practices, this natural caffeine is more sustainable, and the leaves used can be traced back to the farm where they are grown. This transparency makes InnovaTea® natural caffeine very desirable, which is why we’ve decided to use it in our MTE formulation.

InnovaTea® is standardized to at least 98% caffeine. It’s highly soluble, which makes it an ideal component of energy drinks, green powders, dietary supplements, and other caffeinated products. In addition, this naturally-derived caffeine extract is Kosher, Halal, vegan, and free of major allergens.

What is Synthetic Caffeine and How is it Different than Natural Caffeine?

Although caffeine is naturally found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and around 60 other plants, companies often use artificially-produced caffeine in their products. That’s because the synthesizing process is cheap and efficient.

Synthetic caffeine is made from petroleum-derived building blocks. The process is commonly used in the food and beverage industry because it is less expensive and allows companies to have more consistent levels of caffeine in their products. 

You see, the thing with natural sources like tea leaves is that caffeine content depends on many factors. That includes the type of tea, age of leaves, growing conditions, and processing method. As a result, manufacturers need more complicated processes to ensure consistent natural caffeine content levels in their products. So, many brands go with a cheaper, artificial option.

However, most consumers don’t know where their caffeine comes from. In fact, a food survey discovered that almost 50% of people are unsure whether artificial caffeine has the same effects as the natural option. And 7 out of 10 people prefer natural ingredients over artificial ones.

Here’s why that’s interesting…

Natural caffeine has the same chemical formula as synthetic caffeine. Current research states that there are no differences in how our bodies process these two compounds. Both types are supposedly broken down by the liver and eliminated from the body in the same way. In addition, they should offer similar benefits. So, if you’re looking to boost energy and focus, there should be no difference whether you choose a product with artificial or natural caffeine, right?

Well, it’s not that simple…

Although the chemical formula is the same (C8H10N4O2), the two forms have minor structural differences. Natural caffeine contains water in crystalline form, while synthetic caffeine is anhydrous. That means it doesn’t contain any water molecules. As a result, natural caffeine is more soluble in water.

In addition, some health experts believe that our bodies need less time to digest artificial caffeine. As a result, synthetic caffeine provides a quick burst of energy but also leaves you crashing faster than natural caffeine. 

Another thing you should pay attention to is the caffeine content. The FDA recommends limiting a daily caffeine intake to 400mg for healthy adults. Consuming more caffeine, whether natural or synthetic, could lead to jitters, stress and other downfalls (you can read more about it in our post covering the most common perils of excessive caffeine use). 

Our plant-powered energy powder contains only 50mg of InnovaTea®, mixed with theacrine for more sustainable energy benefits without the pitfalls of excessive caffeine.

Why We Choose InnovaTea® for Our MTE Formulation

Today, the world faces an enormous need for caffeine. That’s why many big companies produce synthetic caffeine in labs all over the world. Although the process is affordable and efficient, these international labs are often unregulated and lack proper quality testing.

That’s why we choose InnovaTea®, an upcycled, fermented energy source directly from nature. The farmers grow these tea plants carefully, following sustainable practices. They don’t use any pesticides or GMOs in production. In addition, you can trace the leaves back to the farm where they came from. In our opinion, that’s a lot better than ordering artificial caffeine from some unknown international lab.

InnovaTea® is standardized to contain at least 98% of tea-derived caffeine, which makes it an ideal natural energy source. It is highly water soluble and doesn’t need added sugars or calories for energy-inducing effects. That’s why we use InnovaTea® in MTE.

What Is MTE?

MTE (More Than Energy) is a carefully-curated greens mix that combines the best nootropics, adaptogens, and superfoods. We use ingredients like InnovaTea®, theacrine, maca, and ashwagandha to create a unique formulation that promotes innate, sustained energy. That means no irritability, jitters and crash. Instead, MTE is all about fostering a well-balanced mood and calm energy.

MTE is a perfect option for anyone looking to ditch synthetic caffeine and enjoy consistent energy throughout the day – without crashes. So, visit our online shop, where you can order your first 30 days of MTE and get 15% off with a subscription!