You’ve seen the lattes, baked goods and skin care products, but why is matcha green tea such a hot topic lately? Well, aside from its ancient Japanese roots, matcha has proven itself to be a modern century miracle. From lower cholesterol to improved focus, this earthy green powder provides a number of health benefits!
To paint a clearer picture of how matcha green tea can improve your health and wellness, here are seven science-backed health benefits of matcha green tea:
Hello Heart Health!
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States, but what if you could reduce your risk by adding matcha green tea into your daily routine? Studies have shown that those who drink at least three cups of matcha per day may experience a 21% lower risk of stroke in their lifetime than those who consume less than one cup per day. The cardioprotective benefits of matcha also apply to blood pressure! One meta-analysis found that drinking matcha green tea significantly lowered overall blood pressure when compared to those that did not. [1][2]
Say Sayonara to Afternoon Slumps
Do you struggle to stay focused and energized in the afternoon? If so, matcha may be the perfect solution for you! Studies have shown that a specific amino acid found in matcha called L-theanine boosts your energy while preventing that oh so familiar caffeine crash. Matcha also provides a higher caffeine level with around 68 mg when compared to regular green tea, which contains about 30 mg of caffeine. Beat brain fog by drinking a hot matcha mixture (mix hot water and matcha) in the morning or afternoon! [3]
Accelerate Weight Loss
At the root of any successful weight loss plan is a combination of consistent physical activity and healthy eating. But as it turns out, matcha may help enhance weight loss efforts when combined with those core solutions. One study found that women who drank matcha before a workout were more likely to experience positive metabolic effects when compared to women who did not drink matcha before exercising. Drinking a cup of matcha before any meal or snack is also a great way to leave you feeling full to avoid any overindulging! [4]
Lower Your Cholesterol
The polyphenols specific to green tea are called catechins. One catechin found in matcha green tea leaves, called epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (a.k.a. “bad cholesterol”) in your blood. Having lower LDL cholesterol also lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke! One systematic review of seventeen studies found that consuming EGCG will cause a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol. [5][6]
Get an Antioxidant Boost
Antioxidants are all the rage these days, as everyone seems to be buying foods with anti-inflammatory effects. As it so happens, matcha is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants! Drinking matcha can help prevent damage to your cells by free radicals and protect you from chronic diseases. Studies have shown that because matcha comes from a ground tea leaf, it contains up to 137 times more antioxidants than other teas! Whether you drink it as tea or bake it into a treat, matcha is an excellent anti-inflammatory addition to your diet. [7]
Make Your Skin Shimmer!
The antioxidants in matcha also help keep your skin healthy and glowing! The polyphenols, or antioxidants, within matcha have shown to help reduce skin wrinkles, inflammation and redness. Several studies have demonstrated that these powerful polyphenols can reverse the signs of photoaging within the skin caused by UV irradiation. They work to reduce free radical activity on the skin and inhibit damage caused to your DNA by UVB rays. So treat yourself to a matcha latte for healthy, shimmering skin! [8]
Support Your Liver
Your liver is one of two organs that helps your body detox and filter out unwanted substances. It also assists with protein synthesis and helps store macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. Matcha can help keep your liver healthy and functioning! One randomized control trial examining matcha green tea in those with liver disease found that it helped improve their liver enzymes, which in turn improved their overall liver function. Another meta-analysis revealed that matcha drinkers had a significantly lower risk of developing liver disease and other liver conditions when compared to non-matcha drinkers. [9][10]
Ready to reap the benefits of matcha? Luckily, it’s super easy to work into any daily routine as a tea, latte, smoothie, ice cream, or as an ingredient in pancakes, granola bars and so much more. Just whisk it to break up any clumps and blend it into your drink or batter!
Sources:
[1] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
[2] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
[3] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
[4] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29345213
[5] www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/
[6] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23780706
[7] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
[8] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
[9] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
[10] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
