Wondering if and why you should be drinking matcha tea? Discover more about the naturally active and proven health benefits of drinking matcha tea; including anti-ageing action, boosting energy, immunity and metabolism, below...
Matcha vs Regular Green Tea - The Difference
Matcha is also a type of green tea (Camelia sinensis), which has been used since the twelfth century, where it was already part of the traditional tea ceremonies of Japanese samurai.
However, unlike loose-leaf teas which are simply steeped in hot water and we drink the water, with matcha the finest, youngest leaves are ground into a powder which is whisked into hot water and we consume the whole tea leaves.
To get the same health benefits you would have to drink 10 cups of regular loose-leaf green tea to get the antioxidants, L-theanine, vitamin C, carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and overall nutritional value you get in one cup of matcha.
Matcha - A RariTEA
Four weeks before the youngest, newest leaves are hand harvested, the Japanese tea plantations are shaded with nets. This slows down the ripening time of the tea: with only 10% of the actual sunlight available to the tea plants, a particularly high amount of chlorophyll is produced in order to carry out the vital photosynthesis. The result is a bright green leaf which in addition to chlorophyll has many valuable amino acids.
In the world of tea, the production of matcha is by far the most elaborate: only around 300 tea farmers in Japan master the cultivation, with only about 20 percent of their harvest being exported, making matcha a rarity.
Proven Health Benefits of Matcha Tea
1. Anti-Ageing From The Inside Out - Due To Highest Levels Of Antioxidants
During digestion, our bodies naturally produce free radicals. Habits such as smoking, alcohol, a poor diet, or exposure to pollutants can produce excessive free radicals - which can lead to oxidative stress. This in turn leads to cell-ageing, and is believed to be the cause of conditions such as dementia, heart disease, and types of cancer in the long term. Antioxidants help stabilise these harmful free radicals - thus counteracting their "ageing" effect.
Matcha tea has been proven to have the highest antioxidant rating of all superfoods. According to The ORAC test (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity), which measures the antioxidant levels in foods, matcha green tea measures 1384 units per gram. For context, that’s:
- 13x the antioxidants of pomegranates,
- 15x the antioxidants of blueberries, and
- 125x that of spinach.
Furthermore, Matcha is very high in catechin antioxidants. Its most powerful catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), shown to reduce inflammation, fight free radicals, and prevent a whole range of chronic diseases.
2. Promotes Sustained, Calm Energy - Thanks To L-Theanin & Caffeine
Unlike the caffeine in coffee, which releases into the body very quickly - often leading to jitteriness, heart racing and the dreaded caffeine-crash - the caffeine in matcha is released slowly.
This is due to matcha’s high concentration of flavonoids and special amino-acid L-theanine, which increases the brain’s alpha frequency band and produces relaxing effects by raising serotonin and dopamine levels. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas.
Matcha has an appropriate amount of caffeine to keep you mentally alert and is absorbed by the body more effectively to give you four to six hours of energy instead of the one to three you get from coffee. And, if you need an extra mid-day boost, you can even drink matcha in the early evening without worrying about interfering with your sleep.
Unlike coffee, matcha also doesn’t irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Boosts Metabolism & Aids Weightloss - With Catechins
Matcha is not only almost calorie-free but also assists weight control from two sides:
- it helps burn fat
- and boosts the metabolism.
A study found that consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expenditure.
4. Supports Immunity - Laden With Essential Vitamins
Matcha tea is also packed with essential vitamins, most notably Vitamin C, also an antioxidant vitamin which eliminates free radicals from the body. It is also essential in the process of tissue repair and producing certain neurotransmitters. Furthermore, Vitamin C has antiviral and antibacterial properties which help support the body for a healthy immune system. In comparison, fermented teas (like oolong or black tea) contain far less Vitamin C because it is destroyed in the fermentation process.
In addition to high levels of Vitamin C which can help fend off colds & flu, matcha also contains:
- Vitamin A which also helps eliminate free radicals,
- Vitamin F is fabulous for teeth health, and
- Vitamin P supports bones & cartilage health.
Ready To Start Drinking Matcha Daily & Reap These Health Benefits?
Learn How To Prepare The Perfect Matcha
The key to enjoying the perfect matcha tea lies in its preparation, learn how with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Discover KOSHO Matcha Effective Cosmetics
The new KOSHO Matcha Effective Cosmetics are vegan, made in Switzerland and based on a unique active ingredient extracted from the finest, Japanese, organic matcha green tea. Learn more about the naturally active skin benefits & anti-ageing properties of KOSHO's unique Matcha Effective extract here.
Medical Disclaimer: While we have delved into the research available on the health benefits of matcha, this is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Those who have any health-related queries should reach out to a medical professional.
Products For The Perfect Matcha Ritual
KOSHO
Byuti Organic Matcha Tea
Chasen
Matcha Whisk
Japanese
Matcha Bowl
