What are the health benefits of matcha tea?
Matcha tea has become increasingly popular, especially with the growing consumer demand for healthy food and drink. This green powder is a superfood and every cup of matcha tea is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regular green tea. The health benefits of matcha tea are endless; every serving is full of health gains including:
- Antioxidant rich & includes catechins
- Detoxification
- Rich in nutrients
- Source of vitamins, fibre, minerals & amino acids
- Chlorophyll
- Boosts metabolism & burn calories
- Reduces stress
- Relaxation
- Improves mood
- Focus & concentration
- Prevents disease
- Lower cholesterol & blood sugar
- Improve energy
- Boost immune system
- Gut health
- Cancer prevention properties
The many health benefits of matcha tea…
When you drink matcha tea you are consuming the entire leaf and all of the nutrients from that leaf. The matcha production process is designed to lock in all of the natural goodness. This is different to other loose-leaf green teas where water extracts a fraction of the natural benefits.
If you compare matcha to other regular green teas, there are 137 times more antioxidants in every cup of matcha. Antioxidants are famous for preventing ageing, disease and infections. Research by the Tuffs University even goes as far to say that matcha green tea is packed with more antioxidants than any other superfood.
Matcha tea is unique in that it contains vast amounts of the antioxidant catechins. In particular the catechin EGCg which is known for its cancer fighting properties. But that’s not the only benefit, they are also known for countering the adverse effects of pollution, UV rays, radiation and chemicals which can lead to cell damage.
By drinking matcha as part of your everyday diet, you will begin to reap the health benefits of matcha tea. There is no comparison to a cup of the mighty green tea.
How does matcha help with weight loss?
Matcha powder contains only 3 calories per 1g serving, so drinking matcha is not going to add on the pounds. More importantly, studies have shown that one cup of matcha can boost calorie burning by four times and this will help you lose weight.
Many consumers are drinking matcha before workouts, because of its high EGCg content, it’s great for boosting the metabolic rate and therefore improves weight loss results.
Other studies have shown that matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis. This is the process of heat production in organisms, which boosts the body’s own rate of calorie burning.
Another key health benefit of matcha is that is doesn’t have any negative effects on the body. For example, it does not raise blood pressure or heart rate. This is very different to some of the energy drinks available and their side effects.
How does matcha improve focus and concentration?
Matcha has high content of amino acids, in particular it is rich in L-Theanine and this has a calming effect on the brain and promotes relaxation.
If we are stressed, angry or feeling similar emotions the brain is distracted and cannot focus well. What L-Theanine does is create a state of relaxed awareness and improves the brains concentration. L-Theanine content in matcha green tea can be up to five times more than other loose-leaf teas.
Other studies have shown that L-Theanine may help improve memory and learning. All of these health benefits are very different to a cup of coffee where there can be possible side effects from caffeine.
There is no comparison to a cup of matcha tea to help you focus throughout the day.
How does matcha help you detox?
Chlorophyll is another magic ingredient of matcha powder. This is the green pigment of the tea plant which gives matcha its lush green colour. The benefit of chlorophyll is it acts as a powerful detoxifier, cleansing the body from harmful elements.
Matcha tea can improve the liver function which will help flush out toxins. The chlorophyll content will detoxify the body from heavy metals, chemicals and dioxins. Because matcha tea leaves are carefully shade-grown, they are significantly richer in chlorophyll than other green teas.
Does matcha increase energy?
Matcha tea contains naturally occurring caffeine, this means it does not have the same negative impact as drinking coffee for example. The various side effects from caffeine such as heart palpitation, high blood pressure, sweats and the jitters does not affect matcha tea drinkers.
L-Theanine content in matcha, along with caffeine is broken down gradually into the blood stream. As a result, this gives the body a sustained energy hit of up to 6 hours. When compared with a cup of coffee, the levels of caffeine peak in the blood within the first 15-45 minutes of consumption.
Many matcha drinkers consume a tea pre-work out to give an energy boost. Some studies have also identified that matcha tea can improve physical endurance by up to 25%.
Try a cup of matcha to start your day and notice the better energy in you. Feel the great health benefits of matcha tea on your body and live life to the fullest!