Nutritional Powerhouse: The Incredible Benefits of Our Organic Cognitive Blend, Part 1

The Incredible Benefits of Our Organic Cognitive Blend

It is well known that Z Natural Foods takes pride in creating and bringing our customers delicious and highly nourishing, broad-spectrum functional food blends in their most versatile form, sourced from the best foods worldwide. 

However, we also take great pride in mastering the process of recreating classics and popular blends already on the market, taking intentional additional steps to make them better than our competition in terms of their nourishing and balancing capabilities. 

Our Organic Cognitive Cacao and Coffee blend is a perfect example. While the market is flooded with a wide variety of functional coffee products and creamers that simply combine a range of ingredients, we have taken the time to consider how these ingredients work together to produce a well-balanced and effective end result. 

Because there is so much great information to provide, this is part one of a two-part article series. 

So, let’s begin. 

Synergy Defined

To understand the benefits of combining these nourishing foods, it is essential to discuss the concept of synergy. 

The primary principle behind synergy is the knowledge that the whole is greater than the sum of its simple parts. 

When applying this concept to a product containing a wide array of nourishing foods, it is vital to know that the potent compounds in each food and herb have a broader spectrum and nourishing effect than any isolated compound within that mixture. 

When eaten as a whole food matrix, no individual compound works alone. Therefore, combining a targeted variety of functional foods will provide more potent nourishment than consuming a standardized version of any particular compound. 

Now, let’s discuss some of the ingredients in our Organic Cognitive Cacao and Coffee blend.

Organic Instant Coffee

In simple terms, instant coffee is created by freezing or spray-drying roasted beans to remove their water content, essentially producing dehydrated coffee. 

It is essential to recognize that instant coffee is indeed coffee and is made from real coffee beans. 

Maillard reaction products, which occur during the roasting process, provide all the different flavors and aromas and contribute to coffee’s antioxidant activity, which nourishes our brain, heart, and soul. 

Some of these include, but are not limited to, hydrocinnamic acids, diterpenes, trigonelline, cafestol, and melanoidin, with caffeine and chlorogenic acid being the most predominant.  

According to TCM, coffee is warming, drying, bitter, and sweet, and is associated with Yang energy. Its actions stimulate the movement of liver Qi. 

However, the issue is that it does not balance liver energy, which can cause the well-known jitters and heart palpitations associated with excessive caffeine consumption, and can also lead to long-term depletion of our energy reserves. You will soon understand why this is important and the value of adding reishi mushroom extract to our product.  

Until recently, coffee had a bad reputation and was considered unhealthy. However, recent research on the benefits of polyphenols and our better understanding of all the potent compounds in coffee are changing that perspective.

• According to the Phenol-Explorer database, coffee was ranked #11 in the top 100 best antioxidant foods. 

• There are over 8,000 different types of flavonoids in nature. Research shows that it does not seem to matter whether you acquire them from food or supplements; what matters is the total daily amount you consume. 

• Experts also believe that we should consume 500 to 2000 milligrams of flavonoids daily, sourced from a variety of foods and supplements. One cup of coffee provides 400-600 milligrams of polyphenolic compounds (12 ounces of decaf provides 400 milligrams). 

• The average cup of conventional coffee provides only 92 milligrams of chlorogenic acid. However, soaking and draining the beans before roasting helps retain the polyphenolic compounds. A cup of coffee that has undergone this process provides around 172 milligrams of chlorogenic acid.

A study examining the impact of coffee consumption on subclinical inflammation and other risk factors for type 2 diabetes reported the following findings:

• Coffee consumption increased coffee-derived compounds, mainly serum caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid metabolites. 

• Significant changes were also observed for serum concentrations of interleukin-18, 8-isoprostane, and adiponectin (medians: -8 %, -16 %, and 6%, respectively; consumption of 8 cups compared with 0 cups of coffee/d). 

• Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I increased significantly by 12%, 7%, and 4%, respectively, whereas the ratios of LDL to HDL cholesterol and of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I decreased significantly by 8% and 9%, respectively (8 cups coffee/d compared with 0 cups). 

Therefore, the following was concluded. “Coffee consumption appears to have beneficial effects on subclinical inflammation and HDL cholesterol, whereas no changes in glucose metabolism were found in our study. Furthermore, many coffee-derived methylxanthines and caffeic acid metabolites appear useful as coffee intake biomarkers.” 

As stated above, while coffee contains potent polyphenolic compounds, caffeine is classified as a stimulant that increases the activity of the central nervous system, which increases alertness, attention, energy, and physical activity. Therefore, the importance of adding foods that potentially downregulate the effects of caffeine and support our energy reserves is essential. 

So, let’s begin with the two foods we have added to this potent blend for their balancing and nourishing effects: 

Reishi Fruiting Body Extract and Matcha Tea

Mushroom Fruiting Body Extracts

When you add mushroom-fruiting body extracts to your coffee, you have gone from a nourishing beverage to a potent tonic. Mushrooms contain a wide range of nourishing compounds. 

• Polysaccharides are believed to be mushrooms' primary family of compounds that may support a healthy aging process. 

• Mushrooms contain a wide range of non-starch polysaccharides (carbohydrate fractions excluding starch and free sugar) like chitin, beta-glucans, alpha-glucans, hemicellulose, mannans, xylans, and galactans. 

• Non-starch polysaccharides are distinguished into soluble and insoluble fractions, with up to 90% being insoluble. 

• Most (around 80%) of insoluble polysaccharides are chitin, including beta-glucans bound onto chitin or protein. 

• Polysaccharides can support a wide range of actions in the human body. 

• They have been shown to have immunological, neurogenic, cardiovascular, and microbiome effects, as well as numerous other nourishing qualities. 

Until recently, it was believed that the primary polysaccharides found in fungi are beta-D-glucans, which come in various forms (beta 1-3 and beta 1-6) and are the powerhouse that makes mushrooms work. 

Other polysaccharides found in mushrooms are Alpha-glucans like glycogen, dextran, pullulan, and starch, which, for a long time, were not thought to provide the same nourishing qualities as beta-glucans. Modern research has taught us that this belief only tells part of the story and may be based on flawed science. 

While beta-glucans are potent compounds, there are hundreds of beta-glucan shapes and sizes, and while some are biologically active, others are not. Furthermore, not all are immunologically active. Ultimately, they are just one variable of a wide range of compounds responsible for a mushroom's many nourishing qualities. 

From tradition to science, medicinal mushrooms have proven their value as potent tonics with great versatility.   

The Purpose of adding Reishi Mushroom Extract to our Blend

A long-standing practice in herbal medicine, known as tonic herbalism, is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Medicinal mushrooms are highly regarded in this system due to their safe record and broad-spectrum effects. Tonic herbs are not used to treat or prevent specific issues. They promote and support overall well-being by enhancing energy and regulating bodily functions. The priority is not about healing but gently promoting one’s health. Tonic herbs provide adaptive Qi, enabling us to cope with daily stressors more effectively. Ultimately, this will enable us to grow as individuals. 

Red Reishi is known as “The Mushroom of Immortality” and has a long and well-documented history in traditional Chinese medicine. Because of its ability to potentially support a healthy aging process via nourishing what Chinese medicine calls “The Three Treasures.” 

• Jing is, essence, primarily stored in the kidneys. Jing is one’s constitution, which regulates the body’s growth and development.

• Qi is a life force or vital energy stored in the kidneys. Both the physical and emotional are manifested as Qi. Together, Jing and Qi are believed to form the foundation for Shen.

• Shen is the emotional and spiritual layer of our being, reflecting the state of our nervous system. Shen lives in the heart and is said to “preside over the activities that take place in the spiritual and mental planes.” 

While reishi is an excellent tool for nourishing the three treasures, it is revered as one of the great Shen tonics, known for its ability to support clarity of thought, create healthy and balanced responses, ease the mind, and produce calming effects. 

Known as “The Great Protector,” Red Reishi primarily consists of complex carbohydrates, including water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpenoids, proteins, and amino acids. Thanks to modern techniques for performing tissue cultures, we know that reishi has around 16,000 genes that code for more than 200,000 compounds, and 400 are active constituents. Red Reishi could arguably be one of the greatest tonics on earth, highly revered for its ability to promote the growth of wisdom and insight. 

Remember how earlier in the article we mentioned the effects caffeine has on liver Qi?

Well, this is why reishi mushroom extract is so valuable in this blend. Not only does TCM consider reishi to be a liver Qi tonic, but Western medicine states that the polysaccharides found in mushrooms like reishi have hepatoprotective effects. 

The following was noted in a review evaluating the Hepatoprotective Potential with Mechanisms of Action of Reishi: 

• Reishi is currently utilized as a nutraceutical and functional food due to its major bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and triterpenoids. 

• G. lucidum exhibits a broad range of hepatoprotective impacts in various liver disorders, such as hepatic cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol-induced liver disease, hepatitis B, hepatic fibrosis, and liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and α-amanitin. 

• G. lucidum protects the liver through a broad range of mechanisms that include the modulation of liver Phase I and II enzymes and scavenging free radicals. G. lucidum is an encouraging approach for managing various chronic hepatopathies.  

Matcha Tea: Japan’s Greatest Traditional Beverage

Matcha, one of Japan’s most traditional and respected beverages, has become a trendy drink in local coffee and tea shops throughout Western society. 

But Matcha is much more than your average green tea or grandma’s cup of Lipton black tea. This strong, polyphenol-packed tea is not only time-tested but also has a colorful history and powerful nourishing qualities, as  

Matcha is the only beverage in its natural state that creates the perfect feeling of a “focused calm” 

Standard green tea is cultivated under the sun, creating a dull green leaf with a brownish tone. Processed and prepared by steeping parts of the leaves in hot water boiled over 220 degrees. 

Matcha is shade-grown for three weeks before harvesting, which increases chlorophyll levels and gives matcha its vibrant, bright green color.

It is processed by grinding up the entire leaf into a fine, silky powder and prepared by slowly and meticulously whisking it into water that does not exceed a temperature of 170 degrees. 

With Matcha, you are consuming the entire leaf, providing you with more excellent broad-spectrum nourishment. 

Here are three excellent examples of how matcha boasts superior antioxidant properties.

• More than double the catechin EGCG properties compared to standard green tea.

• More than ten times the polyphenolic tannin levels compared to standard green tea.  

• More than ten times the L-Theanine levels compared to standard green tea.     

The Purpose of adding Matcha Tea to our Blend 

The Benefits of L-Theanine

Matcha tea is one of the most significant natural sources of a compound that has proven itself to be one of the most effective substances in both single-dose administration and long-term use for supporting a healthy mood, mindset, and outlook. 

L-Theanine is an amino acid primarily found in various forms of tea. However, while there are many trademark raw material supplements of this potent amino acid, Matcha is the primary source of L-Theanine. An average cup of high-quality matcha, at a 2-gram serving size, contains 40 milligrams of L-theanine. While that number may not seem high, keep in mind that it is part of the whole food matrix. If you have ever drunk a high-quality ceremonial-grade cup of matcha, you know how well it works to create a focused, calm feeling.  

Research has shown that Theanine does cross the blood-brain barrier and demonstrates anti-stress effects (and perceived stress) on stress markers like blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, and brainwave activities. However, one of Theanine’s impressive qualities is to generate a relaxed-alert feeling from both long-term and single-dose usage via several mechanisms of action. 

• Enhances the production of the relaxing neurotransmitter GABA, which then affects dopamine and serotonin's soothing effects.  

• Increasing Alpha brain waves, which supports deep relaxation and alertness

The following was stated in a placebo-controlled randomized study investigating the effects of a single dose of L-Theanine on stress in healthy adults. This study was conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has had a profound and significant impact on both physical and mental health worldwide.

• L-Theanine led to a greater increase in frontal region and whole-scalp alpha power three hours post-dose compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.050). 

• Within groups, there were increases in alpha power at three hours with L-Theanine, over the whole recording, and during the eyes-open portions (p ≤ 0.048) of the alpha task. 

• The changes in alpha wave activity are supported by greater decreases in salivary cortisol one hour post-dose (p < 0.001) with L-Theanine compared to placebo.

Therefore, the following was concluded. “A single dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine significantly increased frontal region alpha power compared to placebo in response to an acute stress challenge. These changes are indicative of relaxation in the brain and suggest a calming response. AlphaWave® L-Theanine was found to be safe and well tolerated by participants.” 

If you thought a delicious beverage featuring Organic Coffee and it’s powerful  polyphenolic compounds, the incredible polysaccharides in Reishi and the incredible benefits of L-Theanine in Matcha couldn’t get any better – we have great news – it does get better.

But this will be the feature of Part 2.

So, stay tuned for part 2 where we reveal the three other foods in our Cognitive Cacao Coffee Blend. 

About Michael Stuchiner, Master Herbalist
Michael Stuchiner is a Master Herbalist and proud graduate of The School of Natural Healing and has worked in different areas of this field for over 25 years. He is a retired elite-level powerlifter who competed for 27 years. As an avid international traveler, he is passionate about the use of medicinal and tonic herbs, as well as foods traditionally found in local markets in the 35 countries he has visited. Michael brings you his years of experience as a Master Herbalist, traveler, and athlete through the hundreds of articles he has written and his YouTube channel (A Master Herbalist Perspective). He is considered a true educator in this field. For more articles written by Mike, go here: Master Herbalist.