I didn't start drinking matcha for weight loss. I started drinking it for all of the other health benefits but I quickly discovered that weight loss was an awesome side effect of this amazing superfood!
In this article, you are going to learn all about how drinking matcha tea can help you lose weight – and by the time you finish reading it, you are going to know if matcha is for you.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is made from the leaves of the green tea plant. The green tea leaves are shaded during the end of the growing process which enhances its benefits.
he leaves are then ground to an ultra-fine powder and consumed whole, in matcha green tea, which provides much more health benefits than regular green tea.
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, catechins or an epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-caffeine mixture has a positive effect on weight loss and weight maintenance.
Catechins are a type of compound found in tea. With matcha, we are focusing on the catechin – epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a very potent antioxidant.
Best Matcha For Weight Loss
Encha Matcha
- Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Hand-picked from organic farm in Uji, Japan
- First Harvest Matcha - Vibrant green color
- Highest quality matcha, never bitter
- Our Rating: 4.9 of 5 stars
Tenzo Matcha
- Tenzo Organic Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Authentic Japanese Matcha
- Rich in antioxidants, helps boost metabolism
- Ceremonial Grade - Vibrant Green Color
Pique Matcha
- Pique Matcha - Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Harvested from a family-owned organic tea farm in Japan
- Increases energy and focus
- Highest-quality, shade grown ceremonial-grade
- Our Rating: 4.8 of 5 stars
Kenko Matcha
- Kenko Matcha Organic Ceremonial Matcha
- Gold Class Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Country of Origin: Japan
- First Harvest Matcha - Vibrant Green in Color
- Our Rating: 4.8 of 5 stars
For more information visit The Ultimate Guide to the Best Matcha.
Below you will find a great video showing how matcha is produced from start to finish.
How Matcha Tea Helps With Weight Loss
Let's take a more in-depth look at how drinking matcha tea can help with weight loss.
1. Metabolism - The powerful polyphenol antioxidant EGCGs mentioned above act like a fat blocker, boosting metabolism and slowing or even stopping the growth of fat cells. Another Green Tea study has shown significant weight loss as well as a significant decrease in body mass index and reduced waist circumference after 12 weeks of high-dose green tea consumption. This study also uncovered a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL without any side effects or adverse effects.
2. Thermogenesis - Thermogenesis is the rate at which the human body burns calories. In this study, green tea extract, like that found in matcha, was proven to increase the human body's ability to burn calories from 8-10% to a shocking 35-40%!
3. Matcha can help Balance Blood Glucose - Spiking your blood sugar has been shown to not only cause weight gain, but can also cause diabetes over time. Consuming matcha, which is sugar-free has been shown to balance blood sugar resulting in better moods and less weight gain.
4. Matcha Provides Sustained Energy - Because of the unique combination of EGCGs and caffeine, caffeine is tempered when consuming matcha tea. There is no big jolt of energy, but a more evenly distributed energy, and the caffeine effects are sustained over a much longer period. This increased energy level can help to keep you more active throughout the day, leading to more calories burned and more weight loss.
Other Benefits of Matcha Tea
1. Lowers Cholesterol
In test-tube studies, matcha has been shown to block an enzyme that plays a role in cholesterol and fat metabolism. When this enzyme is blocked, it can lower cholesterol. It also helps boost HDL cholesterol while reducing LDL. These effects make it possible for you to enjoy heart-healthy benefits without changing your diet or exercise habits, which is convenient since many people do not have enough time in the day to squeeze these activities into their schedules.
2. May Lower the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Studies have found that regular consumption can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. In one study, participants who drank more than four cups daily reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent after 12 weeks. Matcha powder also works as well as metformin to improve glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetics.
3. Fights Against Cancer
Matcha may help fight specific cancer cells in your body. It has been shown to protect the body against lung, prostate, and breast cancer. This effect is caused by polyphenols, antioxidants that fight toxic substances in your body and lower the risk of oxidative damage. Ceremonial matcha also has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
How To Prepare Matcha Green Tea For Weight Loss?
While we call it matcha green tea, it really isn't a tea at all.
Unlike green tea, which is steeped in water, matcha is prepared by mixing the finely ground matcha tea powder into water in order to create an emulsion.
By doing this, you are actually consuming the ground matcha tea leaves and you are getting all of the benefits of the matcha.
The traditional method for preparing matcha green tea is with a bamboo matcha whisk and a bowl. However, more and more matcha lovers are moving towards a simple milk frother.
How To Prepare Matcha Tea
Here is a great video showing exactly how to prepare matcha green tea. The recipe is below the video.
1. Sift one-half of a teaspoon to one teaspoon of matcha green tea powder into a bowl or cup.
2. Add 2-4 ounces of hot water. (180-190 degrees F)
3. Use a bamboo whisk using a back-and-forth motion to form an emulsion and a layer of foam, or use a milk frother to do the same.
Your matcha green tea is now ready to be consumed.
How Many Cups of Matcha Tea A Day For Weight Loss?
Now that you know how matcha helps with weight loss and how to prepare matcha green tea, let's take a look at how many cups of matcha tea you should drink every day for weight loss.
It is widely accepted that consuming between 1 - 4 teaspoons a day of matcha green tea powder will significantly increase your body's ability to lose weight.
If you were to use 1 teaspoon in each cup of matcha green tea, then you would need to consume between 1 - 4 cups of matcha tea a day for weight loss.
However, keep in mind that there are more ways to get matcha in your diet besides matcha tea.
One of our favorite ways to use matcha for weight loss is by adding it to the best matcha smoothies!
Best Time To Drink Matcha Tea For Weight Loss
The best time to drink matcha tea for weight loss is before every meal.
And here's why.
Not only will you get all of the weight loss benefits of matcha, but matcha and caffeine are also known to suppress your appetite.
On top of the metabolism boost, the thermogenic boost, and the increased energy, you will also take advantage of the reduced appetite factor.
The truth is that there isn't a bad time of day to drink matcha for weight loss. I would, however, advise against drinking matcha before bedtime as the caffeine will keep you up. Finally, most of the studies showed that the best weight loss results from matcha were also in combination with moderate to vigorous exercise. This means that matcha alone won't cause you to lose weight, but coupled with physical activity it has an accelerated effect on the metabolism and burning of fat!
Final Thoughts
As the studies cited above have proven, matcha for weight loss is real. Although many of the studies surrounding weight loss were done with green tea, matcha's nutrient profile is much denser than green tea, and it is therefore assumed to have an even greater benefit.
Can one little change, like adding matcha to your diet on a daily basis really make that big of a difference?
There is only one way to find out!
Go check out the best matcha powder, buy one of the recommended brands and start implementing matcha green tea into your diet.
You will quickly learn that weight loss is only one of the many benefits of matcha that you will enjoy!
Best Matcha Powder
Encha Matcha
- Encha Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Hand-picked from organic farm in Uji, Japan
- First Harvest Matcha - Vibrant green color
- Highest quality matcha, never bitter
- Our Rating: 4.9 of 5 stars
Tenzo Matcha
- Tenzo Organic Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Authentic Japanese Matcha
- Rich in antioxidants, helps boost metabolism
- Ceremonial Grade - Vibrant Green Color
Pique Matcha
- Pique Matcha - Organic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder
- Harvested from a family-owned organic tea farm in Japan
- Increases energy and focus
- Highest-quality, shade grown ceremonial-grade
- Our Rating: 4.8 of 5 stars
Kenko Matcha
- Kenko Matcha Organic Ceremonial Matcha
- Gold Class Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Country of Origin: Japan
- First Harvest Matcha - Vibrant Green in Color
- Our Rating: 4.8 of 5 stars
FAQs
What does matcha taste like?
Matcha has a very unique flavor profile, and much like wine, the better the quality of matcha, the more full-bodied, bright, and rich the flavor is. Matcha is characterized as having an umami flavor, with vegetal grassy notes, and a slightly sweet or nutty finish. Matcha powder in its highest quality form, also known as ceremonial matcha, is smoother, earthier, and less bitter than less-premium matcha. Therefore, for the best matcha experience and the best-tasting matcha powder for ceremonial-style, matcha lattes, or matcha smoothies, we recommend the following ceremonial-grade matcha powders: Encha, Pique, and Tenzo.
Does matcha tea have the same benefit when drinking it with almond milk? What is the best way to consume matcha tea for weight loss?
Hey Mariana,
Yes, matcha tea has the same benefit when consumed with almond milk. It is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it!
I use unsweetened almond milk to keep the calories down.
If I was serious about losing weight, I would just have matcha tea, made from a ceremonial grade matcha powder.
Hope this helps!
Reina
How long after consuming matcha do the benefits last for? If I drink matcha in the evening will I still get the effects throughout the following day?
Hi George, as far as stimulative benefits go, one cup of matcha can last between 2-6 hours. However, in terms of weight loss, most studies showed that there was only a boost in metabolism that resulted from matcha consumption, when coupled along with moderate physical activity.
Can I drink matcha on an empty stomach? I’ve heard from some friends that it has better effects but might make you sick??
Hi Sony, thanks for your question. There is no evidence that drinking matcha on an empty stomach is bad for you or can make you sick. However, there are people that experience an upset stomach from drinking matcha on an empty stomach due to the tannins which can increase stomach acids. As with most things, people can experience things differently, and personally, I have tried drinking a cup of matcha at all times of the day and never had any negative side effects.
Does have any type or brands of this product especially for weight losses?
There isn’t a specific grade or brand of matcha that is better for weight loss benefits than another. However, we do recommend an organic high quality matcha powder such as Encha or Tenzo, because they taste the best with water which gives better weight loss effects, and they are totally free of harmful radiation and chemicals.
hi want to lose weight which product is best for me please
Hi Thomas, there is no specific brand or matcha product that can directly help you lose more weight than another. However, that being said, we do recommend Encha Matcha or Tenzo for weight loss, due to the fact that they taste the best with just water, and therefore contain lower calories, resulting in increased weight loss effects of the matcha.
Can I mixed the power into coffee or other drinks?
Hi Kitty, thank you for your question. I have personally never tried to mix the powder into coffee as I don’t believe the two flavors would mix well. I have tried to mix matcha powder into juices or smoothies though and it tastes wonderful!