While matcha has existed and been used for centuries in certain parts of the world, it has recently become a worldwide trend and is now everywhere: in food, in drinks, even in skincare products. The fine green powder has garnered widespread popularity for multiple reasons, chief among which are the health-related benefits of matcha, as foods and beverages that include matcha have been proven to have significant effects on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Note: Much of the information in this article is based on research regarding the benefits of matcha, much of which is still in its relatively early stages. Many other benefits than the ones listed in this article are attributed to matcha, but, according to Harvard Medical School, more research still needs to be done to support those theories.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground, bright green powder that can be added to various types of foods and beverages in various ways. Matcha shares the same source as green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), but, while green tea leaves are allowed to grow in the sun, the plants used for matcha are shaded for most of the growth period. The lack of direct sunlight increases chlorophyll production and boosts the amino acid content, making matcha a natural source of nutrients and giving it its signature vibrant green color.
5 Benefits of Matcha That Prove It Deserves the Hype
Benefit #1: High in Antioxidants
One of the main benefits of matcha is that it is rich in natural antioxidants, or substances that protect your body’s cells from being damaged by free radicals (molecules that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body). An example of antioxidants found in matcha is catechins, a type of natural antioxidant that gives matcha many of its beneficial qualities. More specifically, a catechin called EGCg makes up most of the total catechins found in matcha and is responsible for many of the benefits discussed in this article, such as weight loss and boosted brain function.
Benefit #2: Boosts energy while lowering stress
Matcha contains high amounts of caffeine (higher than green tea but lower than coffee), making it a reliable source of energy on par with coffee. However, matcha also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which, when combined with caffeine, provides an energy boost without the “coffee jitters” that usually accompany caffeine consumption and without the “caffeine crash” that usually arrives after the caffeine’s effects subside. This natural combination makes this one of the most favorable benefits of matcha, as “coffee jitters” and the “caffeine crash” often have major effects on people’s moods and behaviors throughout the day.
Benefit #3: Boosts brain function
In addition to eliminating some of the negative side effects of caffeine consumption, matcha also provides an energy boost accompanied by increased mental clarity and a more alert state of mind. Some studies have even proven that matcha tea improves brain performance. One study has shown that a group of participants that consumed matcha tea showed significant improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory compared to another group that consumed a placebo tea.
Benefit #4: Helps with weight loss
Another example of the benefits of matcha is that it can help with losing weight. Similarly to green tea, the catechins and caffeine in matcha boost your body’s metabolism. Additionally, EGCg increases the hormone responsible for making you feel full, making you less likely to eat or snack unnecessarily.
Benefit #5: Improves skin health
Lastly, matcha can be used to improve your skin’s health in many ways. The catechins in a matcha face mask can trap and deactivate free radicals in the skin, which can slow down signs of aging and help with acne. Matcha also contains anti-inflammatory properties that diminishes redness associated with chronic skin conditions, and it exfoliates and eliminates dead skin cells to improve your complexion. This all goes to show that the benefits of matcha are not limited to health-related benefits; matcha can also help you look better!
No one can deny that matcha has taken the world by storm, and it has done so for good reason. A natural source of nutrients, antioxidants, and mental and emotional wellbeing, it is no surprise that the benefits of matcha have helped it outlast the trend and continue to have a prominent presence in various aspects of daily life all over the world.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-matcha-tea
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antioxidants-explained
https://tenzotea.co/pages/21-health-benefits-matcha-green-tea
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28784536/
https://grind.co.uk/blogs/features/health-benefits-of-matcha
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