This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.
While matcha has been at the center of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for hundreds of years, it’s now gaining traction in the U.S., thanks to its purported health benefits.
Matcha is undoubtedly having a moment. But why? Are matcha benefits really that great?
From social media posts featuring the vibrant green powder being whisked into hot water to cafes offering frothy green lattes and home cooks incorporating it into cakes and cookies, matcha is everywhere.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of matcha, as well as ways to incorporate it into your diet, so you can find out what all the hype is about.
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What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a fine, green tea powder made by grinding down the leaves of Japan’s native tea plant, Camellia sinensis. It gets its characteristic vibrant green color from the high levels of chlorophyll in the leaves.
The chlorophyll in matcha also contributes to a taste that some describe as earthy or grassy, with a hint of umami. And unlike regular tea leaves, which are usually steeped in tea bags and then discarded, matcha leaves are consumed in their entirety.
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How to Make Matcha
Traditionally, one teaspoon of matcha green tea powder is whisked into eight ounces of hot water or milk to create a creamy drink.
But it can also be used for baking and cooking. Think matcha smoothies, cookies, cupcakes, bread, lattes, you name it. The possibilities are endless for this versatile ingredient.
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What Are the Health Benefits of Matcha Tea?
Is matcha good for you? It can be!
Now that you know what matcha is, let’s look into its potential health benefits and overall effect on wellness. And there are many perks, as this mighty green powder is rich in antioxidants and other nutrients.
Here are a handful of enticing matcha benefits and matcha nutrition facts to consider:
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Matcha has about three times more antioxidants than loose-leaf green tea.
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It has a high concentration of catechins (polyphenols with antioxidant properties), which may lower blood pressure and improve heart health by reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Catechins are also known to lower “bad” (LDL, low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
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Matcha contains polyphenols, which may reduce the risk of cancer and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, although more research is needed. Polyphenols can also help reduce inflammation, helping those with arthritis and joint pain.
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Other Benefits
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Matcha can keep your mouth’s acid levels balanced, which can support good dental health.
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Does matcha have caffeine? Yes! It can energize and calm you at the same time — even though matcha has less caffeine content per serving than a cup of coffee. Additionally, matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote calm and focus without the side effects usually associated with high levels of caffeine.
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The caffeine and EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an antioxidant) in matcha can help support weight loss, metabolism function, and gut health.
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The polyphenols, caffeine, and L-theanine in matcha green tea leaves may help support brain health. Studies show matcha may increase attention span and reaction times.
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Matcha has twice as much vitamin C as other types of green tea.
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How to Add More Matcha to Your Diet to Reap Matcha Health Benefits
Want to add more matcha to your diet to enjoy the many matcha benefits? Drinking matcha is the easiest way to get daily matcha powder nutrition, but the sky’s the limit.
A simple internet search will garner tons of ideas for using matcha powder, but here are just a few to test out in the meantime:
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Drink it as a traditional tea by mixing matcha with hot water.
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Top your yogurt with a sprinkle of matcha powder.
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Add matcha powder to a smoothie.
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Sprinkle matcha powder onto granola or oatmeal.
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Try it in a matcha latte with an added protein boost.
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Add it into your ice cream maker for a unique, new flavor and pretty verdant hue.
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Consumed it as a daily matcha supplement in pill form.
Image Credit: samael334/Istockphoto.
Ready-Made Matcha Tips
If you’re buying ready-made matcha products, try to steer clear of artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Instead, opt for vanilla extract, raw honey, stevia, or monk fruit extract for a touch of natural sweetness to complement matcha’s delicate flavor profile.
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This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock.
