Green tea has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. It is a natural source of antioxidants and has many health benefits. Recently, a new type of green tea has become popular – matcha tea.
Matcha is made from ground-up green tea leaves, which means you consume the whole leaf. This provides a host of additional nutrients and health benefits that you can’t get from other types of green tea. In this article, we will discuss seven ways that matcha tea can improve your health!
#1 – High in Antioxidants
Matcha tea is loaded with antioxidants. In fact, it has been shown to have 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea! These powerful nutrients help protect your cells from damage and may reduce your risk of chronic diseases like cancer.
When you add matcha powder to hot water to make tea, the tea contains all the nutrients from the entire leaf. This provides a host of additional nutrients and health benefits that you can’t get from other types of green tea.
#2 – May Help Protect the Liver
Your liver is responsible for filtering toxins out of your blood. However, it can become overloaded with harmful substances like alcohol and fat. This can lead to liver damage and disease.
Matcha tea may help protect your liver from these damaging effects. In a study in rats, matcha was shown to decrease liver fat and inflammation. These effects were attributed to the antioxidant EGCG, which is found in high levels in matcha tea.
EGCG has also been shown to protect against alcoholic liver disease in rats. In a study, rats that were given EGCG had less liver damage and inflammation than those that didn’t receive it.
It’s not just rats that benefit from the liver-protecting effects of matcha tea. In a study on humans, those who drank matcha tea had less fat in their livers than those who didn’t.
#3 – Boosts Brain Function
Matcha tea has been shown to improve brain function in several ways.
One way it does this is by improving memory and attention. In a study of young adults, those who consumed matcha tea had better working memory than those who didn’t.
Matcha tea has also been shown to improve attention and focus. In a study of young adults, those who consumed matcha tea were better able to pay attention and had more focus than those who didn’t.
Matcha tea has also been shown to improve reaction time. In a study of young adults, those who consumed matcha tea had faster reaction times than those who didn’t.
It’s not just young adults who benefit from matcha tea. A study of older adults found that those who consumed matcha tea had better cognitive function than those who didn’t.
Matcha tea may also improve mood. In a study of young adults, those who consumed matcha tea were more likely to report feeling happy and energetic than those who didn’t.
#4 – May Help Prevent Cancer
Matcha tea is high in antioxidants, which are substances that protect cells from damage.
One type of antioxidant in matcha tea is catechins. Catechins are thought to have cancer-fighting properties.
In fact, one study found that people who consumed the greenest tea had a lower risk of death from any cause, including cancer.
Matcha tea may also help protect against other types of cancer, such as ovarian and breast cancer.
While more research is needed, matcha tea’s potential role in cancer prevention is promising.
#5 – May Promote Heart Health
Matcha tea may also benefit heart health. Green tea has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
One large study found that people who drank the greenest tea had a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who didn’t drink green tea.
Matcha tea contains even more catechins than regular green tea. Catechins are antioxidants that are believed to promote heart health by helping prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Plaque buildup can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. In one study, rats that were fed matcha green tea had reduced plaque buildup in their arteries.
Another study found that people who consumed matcha had lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
Matcha may also help prevent the formation of blood clots. Blood clots can lead to heart attacks and strokes, so it’s important to keep them from forming.
Matcha contains a type of antioxidant called catechins. Catechins are believed to help prevent the formation of blood clots.
In one study, people who consumed matcha had a lower risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot that can occur in the legs.
#6 – Helps You Lose Weight
Matcha may also help you lose weight. One study showed that people who consumed matcha lost more weight than those who didn’t.
The researchers believe that the catechins in matcha may be responsible for weight loss. Catechins are known to boost metabolism and increase fat burning.
Another study found that matcha improved fat burning during moderate-intensity exercise.
#7 – Matcha Tea is Very Easy to Prepare
Matcha is very easy to prepare. You simply add the powder to water or milk and mix it until it’s dissolved.
You can make traditional matcha tea by sifting 1–2 teaspoons (2–4 grams) of matcha powder into your cup, adding 2 ounces (59 ml) of hot water, and mixing it together with a bamboo whisk.
And you can also add matcha to smoothies, baking recipes, and other dishes.
The maximum tolerable intake of matcha powder is unclear and depends on the individual. To be safe, make sure to consume matcha in moderation.
Conclusion
Matcha tea is a powerful tool to improve your health. It’s no wonder this drink has been enjoyed for centuries by the Japanese. From boosting your metabolism and energy levels, to fighting off diseases and helping you lose weight, there are plenty of reasons to add matcha tea to your daily routine. Have you tried it yet?
