Matcha Green Tea Benefits

Matcha is packed with greater health benefits than regular green teas, as the whole leaf is consumed. It contains caffeine and several antioxidants, including EGCG, which is known for its properties that help improve metabolism and aging, and L-theanine which helps to calm the mind and improve memory and concentration.

Primary Key Points

Rich in Antioxidants: Matcha has an incredibly high concentration of antioxidants, mainly catechins like EGCG, which help fight free radicals, reduce cancer risks, and improve health.

Improves Cognitive Function: Matcha's combination of L-theanine and caffeine boosts cognitive performance, enhancing attention, memory, and mental clarity without causing jitters.

Cardioprotective Effect: Matcha helps balance cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and raising HDL (good cholesterol), reducing the risk of heart disease.

Antiviral Properties: Matcha's EGCG content has antiviral properties, boosting the immune system and protecting against infections.

What is Matcha

Matcha tea has become popular in the past two decades and is recognized as a superfood. It’s made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, also known as tea. While green tea is cultivated under the sun, Matcha tea is shade-grown. The leaves are dried and ground into an excellent powder. Matcha means “powdered tea” in Japanese.

This tea dates back to the Tang dynasty of China and was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks. It became an integral part of Japanese tea culture and the Chanoyu tea ceremony. The best Matcha is grown in the Uji region of Japan.

Matcha has more significant health benefits than regular green teas, as the whole leaf is consumed. It contains caffeine and several antioxidants, including EGCG, which is known for its properties that help fight cancer and improve metabolism and aging, and L-theanine, which helps calm the mind and improve memory and concentration. (1)

Matcha vs Green Tea

Although Matcha is derived from the same Camellia sinensis plant as regular green tea, it is cultivated and processed differently. (2)

During the cultivation, green tea is grown in the sun, while Matcha is grown under shade during the final few weeks before harvest.

This way of cultivation leads to a higher amount of tea theanine in Matcha, which gives a unique taste called “Umami” that may balance the usual bitter taste derived from catechin and improve the palatability of the tea. (3)

What’s more, when processing green tea, the procedure usually includes sun-drying, tumbling, and steaming, while matcha tea leaves are destemmed and deveined and only steamed shortly after harvest.

Due to this special processing, Matcha has a bright green color, and nutrients are not lost during the steaming process as in regular green tea.

With green tea, you drink the brew resulting from steeping leaves in hot water. With Matcha, you drink the leaves themselves, leading to a higher antioxidant count and richer flavor.

4 Proven Benefits Of Matcha Tea

Matcha is one of the most nutritious drinks out there. Its health benefits make it a true super drink. Let’s dive into some of them.

1. Matcha is Rich in Antioxidants

Matcha is a significant superfood compared to other teas and has the highest antioxidant concentration. Using the test method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity), experts discovered that matcha has an astonishing antioxidant capacity, 15 times more than pomegranates or blueberries. Matcha’s ORAC rating is 1573 units per gram, compared to 105 units per gram for pomegranates or 93 units per gram for blueberries.

Why is this important? Because antioxidants are the body's defense agents. They help the body fight disease better, reduce the chance of developing cancerous cells (4), lower insulin resistance, and help regulate blood pressure, among other things. (5)

The antioxidants contained in Matcha are called catechins. In particular, Catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) has potent anticancer properties. (6)

EGCG and other catechins reduce the effects of free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays, radiation, and chemicals, which can damage cells and DNA. Since more than 60% of the catechins in Matcha are EGCG, a daily intake can help preserve the well-being of your body.

2. Matcha Improves Cognitive Function

Consuming Matcha is an effective dietary intervention to promote clarity of mind and cognitive function. Again, these health benefits are attributed mainly to EGEG and Matcha’s caffeine content. While it has a small amount of caffeine, how it bonds with L-theanine makes all the difference.

L-theanine is a rare amino acid found in high concentrations in Matcha. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and promotes relaxation while reducing mental and physical stress. L-theanine works with caffeine to provide a stable and prolonged energy boost without caffeine's usual restless side effects.

One study showed that in a series of cognitive tests assessing attention, information processing, working memory, and episodic memory, participants who consumed 4 grams of Matcha performed better than those who didn’t. Scientists found that Matcha improved attention, reaction time, and memory. (7)

Another study showed that consuming 2 grams of Matcha daily for two months helped improve brain function in the elderly. (8)

3. Matcha Has a Cardioprotective Effect

It has been proven that people who regularly drink Matcha tea have lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) while having higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) (9). HDL removes bad cholesterol from the arteries, preventing atherosclerosis. Obstruction of the arteries resulting from atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

In other words, Matcha helps balance cholesterol levels, which leads to better heart function.

4. Matcha Has Antiviral Properties

Matcha tea strengthens the immune system and limits the invasion and growth of viruses and bacteria in the body.

The unique antioxidant called EGCG effectively protects the body and fights various bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19 (10).

EGCG binds to the body’s cells and inhibits the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms, including influenza A virus, hepatitis virus, and angina bacteria.

Conclusion

Matcha tea is an excellent daily drink because it contains high amounts of antioxidants and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

It has promising potential health benefits, mainly due to its high concentration of catechins. Regular consumption maintains health and helps prevent diseases.

FAQ

How is Matcha different from regular green tea?

While both come from the same plant, Matcha is shade-grown, processed differently, and consumed as a powder. It provides higher antioxidant levels and a richer flavor than steeped green tea.

Does Matcha improve brain function?

Yes, Matcha contains L-theanine and caffeine, which work together to enhance cognitive function, improving attention, memory, and reaction times without the jittery effects of caffeine alone.

Can Matcha help with heart health?

Matcha helps balance cholesterol levels by reducing LDL and raising HDL, leading to better heart health and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Does Matcha have antiviral properties?

Yes, Matcha's high EGCG content helps boost the immune system and protect against viral infections, including influenza and possibly COVID-19.

Is Matcha safe to consume daily?

Yes, Matcha is safe to consume daily in moderate amounts. However, due to its caffeine content, those sensitive to caffeine should monitor their intake.