Why matcha

Matcha, on the other hand, contains around mg of caffeine per cup. While the difference in caffeine is minimal, the type of caffeine in tea makes all the difference. Because the body metabolizes it differently. Unlike the caffeine in coffee, which is quickly released into the bloodstream, the caffeine in matcha is slowly released.

This is because the caffeine molecules in matcha and green tea bind to the catechins. As the catechins break down, caffeine enters the bloodstream slowly over a hour period. This process also prevents adrenaline and insulin spikes, which prevents the dreaded caffeine crash and drop in blood sugar. Good things come in small packages — and tea leaves are no exception! Matcha green tea has one of the highest antioxidant ratings. Studies have shown the high antioxidant content in matcha tea can prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

Matcha green tea also contains a class of antioxidants known as catechins. Speaking of EGCG, multiple studies have shown this catechin is protective against many types of cancers. Want to feel more zen? Drink matcha! Matcha green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that puts you in a calm and meditative state.

No wonder Buddhist monks have been drinking matcha for centuries! Because matcha is shade grown, the L-theanine content in matcha green tea is 5 times the amount than other green teas 20 mg vs 4 mg. The L-theanine and caffeine combo can also increase your focus. In , researchers tested the effects of cognition with and without caffeine. Participants were tested on word recognition, rapid visual information processing, critical flicker fusion threshold and attention switching.

Other studies have shown matcha is beneficial in sustained attention as well as memory. Green tea is one of the best drinks for heart health — and matcha, which is a kind of green tea, is no exception! Are you looking to lose weight? Matcha may help. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants who consumed catechin-rich green tea extract showed significantly lower body fat mass, BMI, and body weight than those who consumed less.

Thanks for signing up! Your Cart. Leave a note with your order. Continue Shopping. Your cart is currently empty. Click here to continue shopping. One study in 23 people looked at how people performed on a series of tasks designed to measure brain performance.

Some participants consumed either matcha tea or a bar containing 4 grams of matcha, while the control group consumed a placebo tea or bar. The researchers found that matcha caused improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory, compared to the placebo 7. Another small study showed that consuming 2 grams of green tea powder daily for 2 months helped improve brain function in older people 8.

Additionally, matcha contains a more concentrated amount of caffeine than green tea, packing in 35 mg of caffeine per half teaspoon about 1 gram of matcha powder. Multiple studies have linked caffeine consumption to improvements in brain function, citing faster reaction times, increased attention, and enhanced memory 9 , 10 , Matcha also contains a compound called L-theanine , which alters the effects of caffeine, promoting alertness and helping avoid the crash in energy levels that can follow caffeine consumption L-theanine has also been shown to increase alpha wave activity in the brain, which may help induce relaxation and decrease stress levels Matcha has been shown to improve attention, memory, and reaction time.

It also contains caffeine and L-theanine, which can improve several aspects of brain function. Matcha is jam-packed with health-promoting compounds, including some that have been linked to cancer prevention in test tube and animal studies. In one study, green tea extract decreased tumor size and slowed the growth of breast cancer cells in rats Matcha is especially high in epigallocatechingallate EGCG , a type of catechin that has been shown to have powerful anti-cancer properties.

One test tube study found that the EGCG in matcha helped kill off prostate cancer cells Other test tube studies have shown that EGCG is effective against skin, lung, and liver cancer 16 , 17 , Keep in mind that these were test tube and animal studies looking at specific compounds found in matcha. Further research is needed to determine how these results may translate to humans.

Test tube and animal studies have found that the compounds in matcha may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated one-third of all deaths in people over the age of 35 Some studies have shown that drinking green tea, which has a similar nutrient profile to matcha, may help protect against heart disease.

It may also help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, another factor that may protect against heart disease Observational studies have also shown that drinking green tea is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke 23 , When combined with a well-rounded diet and healthy lifestyle, drinking matcha may help keep your heart healthy and protect against disease. Green tea is well known for its ability to enhance weight loss.

In fact, studies show that it may help speed up metabolism to increase energy expenditure and boost fat burning. Another study in 14 people found that taking a supplement containing green tea extract significantly boosted hour energy expenditure, compared to a placebo A review of 11 studies also showed that green tea reduced body weight and helped maintain weight loss Although most of these studies focused on green tea extract, matcha comes from the same plant and should have the same effect.

Some studies show that green tea extract helps increase metabolism and fat burning, both of which may aid weight loss. 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. For a thinner tea, reduce the powder to a half teaspoon 1 gram and mix with 3—4 ounces 89— ml of hot water.