Matcha tea: Anti-cancer, weight loss and more
If you think the benefits of green tea make it worth drinking a cup or two daily, you might want to take your tea game…
Matcha tea packs the antioxidant punch of 10 cups of regular green tea combined. (Shutterstock)
If you think the benefits of green tea make it worth drinking a cup or two daily, you might want to take your tea game up to the next level–with Matcha tea. According to experts, this latest green tea craze to hit the U.S. packs some powerful health benefits with less caffeine than a traditional espresso.
Matcha isn’t new; it has been used for centuries in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, and like many ancient remedies, it is finding solid footing in the modern health community. Matcha is a powdered form of steamed, dried green tea leaves, described as having a grassier, “brighter” flavor compared to regular green tea. Quality Matcha products have a bright emerald color, and the richer the green, the better the Matcha is for you.
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According to research, one cup of Matcha has 137 times more disease-fighting polyphenols, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), than 10 cups of regular green tea combined. EGCG belongs to a broader spectrum of substances unique to plants known as phytochemicals. Though not much is yet known about these substances and the roles they play in regards to health, research is slowly uncovering some of their mysteries. EGCG is one of the better-known phytochemicals because it has been identified as the most significant polyphenol in green tea.
SF Gate explains EGCG has potent antioxidant properties in the human body, and data suggests it can inhibit some cancerous tumor growth; can promote neuron creation in the brain; can assist in weight loss; and can promote heart health.
But EGCG is only one reason Matcha is becoming so popular. In addition to all the benefits of antioxidants, this powdered tea has been shown to offer some renal system protection in patients with diabetes. Research logged in The National Library of Medicine notes “[Matcha] treatment significantly lowered the glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels in the serum and liver, renal AGE levels, and the serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels.” In other words, just a daily dose of Matcha was enough to lower levels of substances in the body known to damage the kidneys and livers of diabetic patients.
You don’t have to drink Matcha to enjoy its benefits. (Shutterstock)
For people who want to incorporate Matcha into a fitness program, evidence suggests it could provide a healthy energy boost in a pre-workout meal. The rich green color of Matcha has to do with its high chlorophyll content. Materials from Vanderbilt University explain chlorophyll gives the body an energy boost using the same mechanism it was created for in plants. While exposed to sunlight in a plant, chlorophyll stores energy, and it carries that energy with it through the harvesting and tea-making process. Research also suggests chlorophyll helps stimulate red blood cell production, another reason why people who consume it feel more energetic.
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For people who aren’t fans of the flavor of green teas, because Matcha is powdered it can be consumed in other ways. Some people add Matcha to energy smoothies, baked goods, coffee, soups, and dressings. It doesn’t have to be mixed with hot water to pas on its benefits. Next time you are looking for a healthy alternative drink, give Matcha a try–you might never go back!
