I didn’t think that I energized before a workout, until I met Aila.
A few weeks ago, Katie Webb, the founder of Aila reached out asking if I’d like to review her natural pre-workout energy supplement designed specifically for women. I told her that I don’t usually energize before I exercise, but that I have been looking for something to replace the jitters from my morning (and afternoon) coffee. I was impressed by the natural ingredients on the nutrition label, so decided to give it a shot.
I received several single-serve Aila packets in the mail and simply mixed one in with a large glass of water. I drank my glass of Aila water, which tasted a lot like a mellow cup of matcha, in place of my morning coffee, and sat down to write.
I started typing and found myself so energized (though not jittery) that I literally had to move my body. Thankfully, I’m able to split my days between being physical and sitting at my desk, so I got up, did a high-intensity workout, and felt great.
Later that day, I was still feeling energized. Where I might usually drink 2-3 cups of coffee throughout the day, I felt that one packet of Aila gave me the energy to power through a full day of writing and training.
Why did it make me feel so magical? Here’s a break down of the natural ingredients that first attracted me to Aila:
- Matcha Green Tea: Matcha is a natural source of caffeine. Essentially, it’s green tea on steroids. It has many proven health benefits, namely that it contains a ton of antioxidants that protect your body from damaging free radicals. In fact, one study found that matcha contains 137 times greater than the amount of EGCG, a potent antioxidant, than green tea.
- Bee Pollen: Research has shown that bee pollen has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Beet Root Powder: Beet root powder helps your body create nitric oxide, which is a really cool molecule that helps to expand your blood vessels and increase circulation. Eating beet root has been shown to increase some types of athletic performance and also lower blood pressure.
- Spirulina: Some argue that spirulina is the most nutrient dense food on the planet. It contains proteins, B vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids and more. Studies have shown that it may also increase exercise performance.
- B vitamins: B vitamins support the body’s energy creation systems. Aila contains vitamin B6, which has many health benefits, including supporting women’s health and potentially boosting mood; vitamin B12, of which a depletion would affect your athletic performance; and biotin.
- Stevia Extract: A plant-derived sweetener which the Center for Science in the Public Interest has called safe.
- PurCaf®: PurCaf® is an organic, non-GMO caffeine source derived from green coffee beans that is GRAS (generally recognized as safe) certified.
If you’re thinking that Aila was formulated with a lot of care, you’re right.
"I created Aila after a frustrating search for a pre-workout that worked for me,” says founder Katie Webb. “Most products I tried were high in stimulants and messed with my stomach, or gave me that awful itchy feeling. They also looked really masculine and intense. Our formula is completely unique and was created with women's health and nutrition in mind."
Bottom line: I loved trying Aila and while I may not swap out my morning coffee, I have been convinced that energizing with a high-quality natural supplement pre-workout might be worth my while.
Disclosure: I received Alia in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.
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