Health benefits of matcha tea - 9 reasons why you should drink matcha
Matcha is having a golden time lately, we can see it everywhere: in coffee shops, cocktails, refined latte drinks, 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 they are grown and prepared differently. In the production of matcha, only young tea leaves from the first harvest are used, which have grown in the shade for the last weeks, thus preserving more nutrients, especially the important 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 tea help protect the liver, improve brain function, heart function and generally act against various inflammations in 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. Studies show that the antioxidants in matcha tea are the richest in their properties, making its daily consumption extremely beneficial for health. Matcha tea contains antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols. Antioxidants of this group have a very important effect in achieving beautiful skin and a smoothly functioning system of the whole body.
2. Pure matcha tea is rich in essential vitamins
Matcha powder nutritional studies are shocking for its vitamin abundance. Green tea leaves contain many nutrients, especially vitamins A and C, which are even twice as much as in regular green tea. Vitamins A and C are among the most important vitamins for the skin and immunity, which is why matcha can be said to be 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 because of the important substance L-theanine. It increases alpha wave activity in the brain, which helps to relax and reduce stress levels. In addition, 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 hands start to shake.
The L-theanine mentioned in matcha tea 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 tea, and it is often the one that most excites new matcha tea tasters. Coffee acts quickly and sometimes overstimulates, and when its effects wear off, there is a sudden drop in energy. Matcha charges the body with a 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 make a small contribution to cancer prevention
Although there are not yet enough detailed studies in this area, 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 tea contains EGCG, a catechin that research suggests may contribute to a lower 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. Research has shown that there is a link between regular green tea drinking and reduced levels of total and bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also help prevent cholesterol oxidation, another factor that causes heart disease.
7. Matcha can help you lose weight
Look at the ingredients list of any weight loss supplement and you'll probably notice green tea extract in there. Green tea is well known for its weight loss effects. In fact, studies show that it can help speed up your metabolism.
Still, other research suggests that the real reason green and matcha teas may be linked to weight management is simply that they're nutritionally superior compared to other choices like soda or sugary energy drinks.
8. May help protect the liver
The liver is vital to health and plays a key role in clearing 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 condition, and the high levels of this vitamin 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 the condition of skin 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 the amount of sunburned cells and prevent any redness or DNA damage, and other health experts conclude that consuming this tea may have the same effect.
