Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea

Many people have heard of the possible health benefits of drinking green tea, but have you heard of the health benefits of drinking matcha?

Originally used in Chinese and Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha is now gaining increased popularity for its medicinal properties. [1]

What is Matcha?

Matcha is green tea, derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, the method used to produce it and – more importantly – its greatly increased amino acid levels, is what sets it apart.

Matcha is shade grown and made from the youngest leaves of a green tea plant. Younger leaves equate to higher quality and a better matcha taste. After the drying process, the entire leaf is stone-ground into a fine powder that can be dissolved in hot water to create matcha tea.

The unique way in which matcha is grown is what causes the significant increase in antioxidants and nutrients – which when consumed can lead to a healthy lifestyle.

When you drink matcha, you are drinking powdered green tea AKA the whole leaf of green tea in powder form, which means you are getting all of the benefits that matcha has to offer.

Another great way to drink matcha is in a matcha latte or matcha smoothie!

Steeped green tea also contains high nutrient levels, but it simply doesn't match the amino acid levels found in matcha. 

The Health Benefits of Matcha

When you drink matcha tea regularly, you can enjoy many health benefits including:

The Science Behind Matcha's Nutritional Benefits

Let's take a look at the science behind the amazing benefits you get when you consume matcha compared to other green teas.

L-theanine, one of the amino acids contained in matcha, is reported to provide a feeling of calm, while still being alert. For this reason, l-theanine has been used to treat anxiety, but not enough research has been performed to confirm its usefulness in this area.

Matcha also contains an amino acid known as epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which is a type of catechin.

In one promising study using rodents, EGCG was found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. [2]

Additionally, a research study was performed on the effectiveness of drinking green tea in preventing DNA damage in people with type-2 diabetes. [3]

This study's findings are quite intriguing...

Study participants were asked to drink two cups of steeped loose-leaf green tea per day over a 12-week period. The results found that DNA damage was significantly reduced. 

Considering that matcha has higher antioxidant properties found in steeped green tea, it can be reasonably concluded that the health benefits of matcha exceed those of other green teas. In fact, the EGCG content in matcha is at least three times greater than most brands of steeped green tea.

One of The Health Benefits of Matcha Is Weight Loss

Losing weight is troublesome for numerous individuals. Adding matcha to your diet can give your body the boost it needs to burn the much-despised body fat.

The fat-burning properties of EGCG found in matcha are especially effective during intense exercise or regular movement.

This is due to the fact that EGCG increases fat oxidation (fat-burning capabilities) while engaging in a workout. A study performed in 2011 found that green tea catechins, as well as matcha and green tea extracts, coupled with a moderate exercise regimen, improved the body's ability to burn fat by speeding up the metabolism.

This is how it works...

The catechin EGCG allows for increased production of norepinephrine in the body. Norepinephrine is a natural hormone that is instrumental in burning body fat. EGCG blocks an enzyme in the body that inhibits norepinephrine production. 

According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: [4]

"Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se. The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both."

Click here to learn more about how matcha may cause weight loss.

Matcha is Rich in Antioxidants and Caffeine

The perks of drinking matcha extend even further than amino acids. Matcha also contains high levels of antioxidants that can reduce the number of free radicals in the body.

Free radicals naturally occur in the body and can be dangerous at higher-than-average levels. Free radicals in high numbers are known to cause damage to healthy cells and are sometimes related to the development of cancer cells.

Exposure to certain toxins, such as cigarette smoke or smog, can factor in unusually high levels of free radicals. The human body makes its own antioxidants; however, the body cannot produce enough antioxidants on its own to combat free radicals.

According to the experts at Cancer.gov, consuming foods and beverages rich in antioxidants helps stabilize harmful free radicals. [5]

One cup of matcha tea has the same amount of antioxidants as 10 cups of regular green tea!

One of the other benefits of matcha tea is that it contains caffeine. Green tea also contains caffeine, but not nearly as much as matcha. Matcha's amount of caffeine compared to a cup of regular coffee is almost equal depending on the level of concentration of matcha powder used.

Caffeine has been found to improve memory. This is particularly true for adults when caffeine is consumed during the afternoon, when most feel sluggish.

Furthermore, mice used in an Alzheimer's study performed at the University of South Florida, who were bred to develop said condition, were able to regain their memory after being given the equivalent of 5 cups of coffee per day. 

How to Brew Matcha Tea!

Matcha is different than other teas in that you consume the powdered matcha green tea leaves in the tea.

Matcha tea is traditionally enjoyed from a bowl, but it can also be enjoyed from your favorite mug.

Step 1. Sift 1-2 teaspoons of premium grade matcha into a bowl.

Step 2. Add 4-6 ounces of hot water. For best results, water should be 175-180 degrees.

Step 3. Whisk vigorously with a bamboo whisk until frothy.

Step 4. Drink your matcha green tea straight from the bowl!

Keep in mind that you are not dissolving the matcha in the water, but rather creating an infusion in which the powdered matcha is suspended in the water.

The tea is traditionally meant to be consumed in 4-6 big gulps.

If you decide to sip your matcha tea, you may find that some of the powder will cease to be suspended in the water and settle to the bottom.

We advise you to use the highest grade of matcha you can afford. We only use ceremonial grade for drinking matcha green tea, and we use premium culinary-grade matcha powder in smoothies and baked goods.

Final Thoughts on The Health Benefits of Matcha

Matcha has proven so far that it's worth the hype!

After centuries of being used for a Chinese or Japanese tea ceremony, matcha has recently gained attention for the incredibly healthy components within it.

The science behind matcha and its benefits is extremely promising.

After considering the results found in the aforementioned research studies, it stands to reason that matcha is an effective way to keep your body healthy and prevent certain illnesses or conditions.

Moreover, seeing as how matcha tea is gaining popularity in our modern-day world, with dietitians and celebrities alike, we can expect the health benefits of matcha tea to be further studied and researched.

Nowadays, you can find matcha tea as a trendy ingredient at coffee shops and bakeries-whether in a latte, or even a cupcake. There are many ways to incorporate matcha tea into your diet in order to enjoy its many health benefits.

For more information visit our Ultimate Guide to the Best Matcha!

Please leave your questions and comments on the Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea below.

References:

1. Matcha  page on Wikipedia retrieved from https:s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matcha
2.  British Journal of Cancer, EGCG, a major component of green tea, inhibits tumour growth by inhibiting VEGF induction in human colon carcinoma cells, retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2363808/pdf/84-6691691a.pdf
3.  Oxford Academic, Redox-linked effects of green tea on DNA damage and repair, and influence of microsatellite polymorphism in HMOX-1: results of a human intervention trial, retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/mutage/article/30/1/129/1000212
4. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans, retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/70/6/1040/4729179
5. National Cancer Institute, Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention, retrieved from 
   https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet