The Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

What is Matcha?

You may think that matcha is the same thing as plain old green tea and you wouldn't be too far from the truth. Matcha and green tea both come from the same plant and they contain a lot of the same nutrients which is why they often get confused.

According to Lisa Williams, Registered Dietitian

Matcha tea is a powerful source of antioxidants, particularly catechins, which have been linked to various health benefits, including improved cardivascular health and brain function. Regular consumption can help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, offering long-term health benefits for those seeking a natural boost in both mental and physical well-being.

However, there are important differences between matcha and green tea. While both come from the Camellia Sinensis plant, matcha is more refined and concentrated. Unlike green tea, matcha is grown under shade, steamed, dried into a powder, and the whole leaf is consumed instead of fragments, the way that green tea is processed and consumed.

So matcha is essentially a type of green tea, but it is cultivated and processed under different conditions so as to enhance the nutritional value, flavor, and tea-drinking experience.

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Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

• Antioxidant Support - Perhaps the foremost and most important health benefit of matcha tea is that it is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are like little helpers for the body and the brain. They scavenge free radical cells that can cause degradation to our organs. Antioxidants can help reduce damage to brain cells, optimize organ function, and even improve the way your skin looks. And matcha is practically teeming with these antioxidants. The Harvard Health staff reports that, “Matcha contains an abundance of antioxidants (including polyphenols such as catechins) and phytochemicals (such as chlorophyll and quercetin).”
• Improved Heart Health - Matcha tea has also been proven to aid in cardiovascular health. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that are abundant in matcha affect several important factors pertaining to heart health and function. For instance, drinking matcha tea on a regular basis has been associated with lower blood pressure and lower bad cholesterol levels. High-quality clinical studies have even shown a positive correlation between matcha tea consumption and improved cardiovascular health.
• Brain Health - One of the most prominent antioxidants in matcha tea are known as catechins. Catechins are especially important to brain function because they protect brain cells from various forms of damage like oxidation. This can have long and short-term benefits for brain function as reduced brain cell damage can greatly reduce your risk of developing a major cognitive disease as you get older. Matcha also contains the amino acid l-theanine which has been proven to promote feelings of calm and relaxation. So drinking matcha can help you retain your precious cognitive function in the future and help you feel more relaxed and less stressed in the present.
• Weight Loss - Metabolism is a key factor that helps determine how your body processes fat and ultimately, what your physique looks like. Matcha can help boost metabolism and initiate thermogenesis in the body. This means that drinking matcha can help your body burn more calories and fat than normal which is why it is often used (successfully) by people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, drinking matcha tea on a regular basis has been indicated as a means to prevent obesity.
• Immune System Support - Are you tired of coming down with the common cold multiple times a year? Matcha may provide the solution. Once again, the antioxidants in matcha like catechins can benefit your health by providing defense against bacteria and preventing inflammation that can weaken your immune system. The antimicrobial effects of the catechins in matcha can aid your immune system by preserving its resources in order to fight other viral infections and pathogens.

Is Matcha Tea Healthy for You?

The general answer to this question is a resounding yes. Drinking matcha tea can help preserve your cognitive functions, lower your cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, improve your cardiovascular health, help you lose weight, and  even provide you with a quick boost of energy. What more could you ask for?

Still, matcha as a beverage may not be everyone’s cup of tea Some people may not like the taste of matcha or the involved process of brewing, storing, and preparing it. Some people may even be sensitive to the effects of caffeine, of which a single cup of matcha can contain anywhere between 30 and 100 milligrams.

So while matcha is most certainly healthy for you, some people may want to use matcha supplements. Matcha supplements are more convenient, safe, and easier on your stomach than straight-up matcha tea. Plus, matcha supplements still provide you with all the awesome health benefits of matcha tea, making them a contender for the best green powder supplement.

How Much Matcha Tea Per Day?

So how much matcha should you drink per day? In order to reap all the health rewards of matcha tea, it is recommended that adults drink between 1-2 cups per day. This can also be translated as about 2-4 grams of matcha per day.

Matcha Tea Side Effects

• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in bowel movement regularity

Please note that most of these side effects are a result of the relatively high caffeine content in matcha. So if you are already used to the effects of caffeine (maybe you are a seasoned drinker of strong coffee), you are likely to negate most of these effects.