Matcha is experiencing its golden hour lately, we can see it everywhere, in coffee shops, cocktails, refined lattes, porridges and even desserts. You will definitely find it in every health food cafe, restaurant or store.
Matcha and green tea are made from the same plant, but the way it is grown and prepared differs. For matcha, only first-harvest, young tea leaves are used, which have grown in the shade for the last few weeks, thus preserving more beneficial substances, and especially the important ingredient L-theanine.
You can learn more about how Matcha differs from regular green tea here.
Recent studies show that the antioxidants and other beneficial substances in Matcha help protect the liver, improve brain function, heart function, and have an overall anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Here are 9 reasons why you should drink Matcha tea and what are its health benefits:
1. Matcha powder is rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are the secret of beauty and youth. By including them in our daily diet, we protect our body's cells from damage and environmental effects. Research shows that the antioxidants in Matcha are the richest in their properties, which is why its daily consumption gives a special importance to health. Matcha contains antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols, antioxidants of this group play one of the most important roles in achieving beautiful skin and overall smooth functioning of the body system.
2. Pure Matcha tea is rich in essential vitamins
Matcha powder nutritional research is shocking in its vitamin abundance. Green tea leaves retain many nutrients, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, which is even twice as much as in regular green tea. Vitamin A and Vitamin C are among the most important vitamins for the skin and immunity, which is why it can be said that Matcha is a medicine.
3. Matcha powder contains amino acids that can improve brain health
Research shows that Matcha also helps improve brain function, and it's all thanks to the important ingredient L-theanine. This ingredient increases alpha wave activity in the brain, which helps to relax and reduce stress levels. Also, a recent study found that L-theanine improves brain function in older adults.
4. Matcha helps fight nervousness and anxiety
We live in an age of stress, and the well-known and commonly consumed caffeine is a stimulant that helps improve mental performance and gives us energy. However, for many, it also causes anxiety, tension, nervousness, sometimes even the hands begin to tremble.
In matcha, the previously mentioned L-theanine stabilizes the effect of caffeine, due to which the energy floods the body slowly, without leaving any unpleasant sensations or phenomena.
This is the biggest difference between coffee and Matcha, which usually impresses new Mactha tea tasters the most. Coffee acts quickly and sometimes too stimulatingly, and when its effect ends, you feel a sudden drop in energy. Matcha charges the body with subtle and balanced energy that dissipates just as gradually and doesn't leave you feeling like you're completely powerless.
Learn more about the caffeine content of Matcha tea compared to coffee and regular green tea.
5. Matcha may play a small role in cancer prevention
Although research in this area is not yet complete, there are indications that green tea consumption may be associated with a lower risk of several forms of cancer. The reason for this is that Matcha contains EGCG, a catechin that has been shown by research to reduce the risk of cancer.
6. Matcha may help improve heart health in the long run
Some studies have shown that green tea, which has a similar nutrient profile to matcha, may help protect against heart disease. Studies show that there is a link between regular consumption of green tea and reduced levels of total and bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also help prevent cholesterol oxidation, another factor that causes heart disease.
7. May help you lose weight
Look at the ingredients list of any weight loss supplement and you'll probably come across green tea extract. Green tea is well known for its ability to improve weight loss. In fact, studies show that it can help speed up your metabolism.
However, other studies have suggested that the real reason green and matcha teas may be associated with weight management is simply because they are more nutritious than other options, such as fizzy or sugary energy drinks.
8. May help protect the liver
The liver is vital to health and plays a key role in flushing out toxins, metabolizing drugs and processing nutrients. Some studies have found that Matcha is associated with a lower risk of liver disease.
9. Regular consumption of Matcha tea is associated with healthy and glowing skin
Vitamin C has long been associated with good skin health, and the high levels of vitamin C in Matcha tea can directly stimulate the production of collagen, a key component of firm and vibrant skin.
A recent review of research suggests that green tea can improve skin conditions affected by photoaging or sun damage. Green tea consumption has been shown to have potential anti-wrinkle and collagen-boosting properties.
The polyphenols in green tea, when applied to the skin before UV exposure, have been shown to reduce sunburn cells and prevent any redness or DNA damage, and other health experts conclude that consuming it may have the same effect.