Matcha Tea Benefits: 10 Amazing Science-Supported Facts

Delve into the fascinating history of matcha tea, a beverage that has its roots in ancient Japanese tea ceremonies.

Explore how this vibrant green powder is made, and why it holds such a revered spot in the pantheon of teas. Following that, we’ll explore the diverse matcha tea benefits, also touching on how to best enjoy matcha tea, its potential side effects, and the importance of sourcing high-quality matcha.

So, steep yourself a comforting cup and join us for an informative and enjoyable time learning about matcha tea benefits!

What is Matcha Tea and How is it Made?

Matcha tea is a type of powdered green tea originating from Japan. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are infused and then removed, matcha involves the consumption of the whole tea leaf in a powdered form. This method of preparation lends matcha a more concentrated flavor and higher nutrient content.

Matcha tea types can be categorized into ceremonial-grade, premium-grade, and culinary-grade matcha.

• Ceremonial-grade matcha: This is the highest quality matcha tea, primarily used in tea ceremonies and Buddhist temples. It’s the most expensive and boasts a fresh, subtle flavor.
• Premium-grade matcha: A high-quality tea that’s slightly less expensive than ceremonial grade. Ideal for daily consumption.
• Culinary-grade matcha: This grade is best used for cooking and baking. While it’s more affordable, it’s also less delicate in flavor.

Interested in exploring more about these unique tea types? Discover further details in our comprehensive guide on matcha tea.

How to Prepare Matcha Tea

Preparing matcha tea is an art in itself. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Scoop the matcha: Measure out 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder.
2. Heat the water: Warm water to around 80 degrees Celsius. Boiling water may burn the matcha and result in a bitter taste.
3. Mix the matcha: Add a small amount of water to the matcha powder and whisk to make a paste. Then, add the remaining water.
4. Whisk the matcha: Using a bamboo whisk, whisk the matcha and water in a W-motion until frothy.
5. Drink it and reap all the matcha tea benefits!

Matcha tea does contain caffeine. However, due to the presence of an amino acid called L-theanine, the effects of caffeine are released slowly, providing a sustained energy boost without the usual crash.

Let’s now delve into the multitude of matcha tea health benefits that make it such a superstar.

List of Matcha Tea Benefits

Matcha tea benefits have been scientifically proven. There are very similar to health benefits of green tea, as they come from the same plant’s leaves (it’s the whole tea leaf in a powdered form). Let’s explore each of these in more detail:

1. Reduction in the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases, often stemming from obesity, hypertension, and high LDL cholesterol, are a global concern. Regular consumption of matcha tea could assist in curtailing these risk factors, thus potentially lowering your odds of developing cardiovascular diseases. This implies healthier arteries, a stronger heart, and an overall improvement in your cardiovascular system’s functioning (Cabrera et al., 2006).

2. Potential Anti-obesity Influence

Matcha tea’s high catechin content is linked to its anti-obesity effects. By regularly incorporating matcha tea into your diet, you could see a significant decrease in body fat and weight. In the long term, this leads to better overall health, improved physical stamina, and a reduced risk of obesity-related diseases (Nagao et al., 2007).

3. Weight Management Assistance

Green teas, like matcha, are renowned for promoting weight loss. Meta-analyses suggest that consuming matcha tea may significantly reduce body weight and fat. This aids in maintaining an optimal weight, reducing the risk of weight-related ailments, and promoting a healthier, more balanced lifestyle (Hursel et al., 2009).

4. Abundant Antioxidant Properties

Matcha tea benefits greatly from being rich in antioxidants, especially catechins. These antioxidants work relentlessly to safeguard your body from oxidative stress and damage inflicted by free radicals. The upshot of this is potentially healthier skin, a strengthened immune system, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases (Herrera et al., 2022).

5. Effective Anti-inflammatory Attributes

Matcha tea’s bioactive compounds, such as catechins and chlorophylls, are reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. This can result in reduced inflammation in the body, which is beneficial in alleviating symptoms of certain chronic diseases, improving skin health, and supporting overall wellness (Herrera et al., 2022).

6. Advancement of Oral Health

Consuming matcha tea could greatly elevate your oral health. The beverage’s inherent antibacterial and antiviral properties work actively to thwart oral infections and enhance hygiene. Improved oral health encompasses benefits such as fresh breath, strong teeth, and healthy gums, which not only contribute to your overall well-being but also significantly increase your confidence (Cabrera et al., 2006).

7. Fortification of Gut Microbiota

By regularly sipping matcha tea, you may enhance the diversity of bacterial genera in your gut. A healthy gut microbiota is essential as it aids digestion, contributes to a healthy immune system, and could even affect your mood. Therefore, by cultivating a more varied and robust gut flora, matcha tea could provide far-reaching health benefits (Morishima et al., 2023).

8. Potential Anti-cancer Attributes

One of the fascinating benefits of matcha tea lies in its content of bioactive compounds like catechins and polyphenols. These compounds have been found to demonstrate anti-neoplastic effects, suggesting they might provide protection against certain types of cancer. The potential of these compounds extends to minimizing the risk of cancer development and aiding in the maintenance of overall cellular health (Kochman et al., 2020).

9. Promoting Mental Health

Enjoying matcha tea has been linked to improving mental health, as it appears to have an antidepressant-like effect and is also associated with reductions in anxiety states. By alleviating depressive symptoms and anxiety, matcha tea can contribute to an overall improved mood, increased motivation, and better overall mental clarity (Kurauchi et al., 2023).

10. Regulating Blood Glucose Levels

Matcha tea may be instrumental in managing blood glucose levels. Regular consumption can lead to a decrease in blood glucose levels and an improvement in insulin sensitivity. The significance of these effects includes better energy levels, reduced risk of diabetes, and improved weight management, contributing to an overall healthier lifestyle (El-Elimat et al., 2022; El-Kholie et al., 2021).

Each sip brings with it an impressive list of matcha tea benefits! Considering that the effects are similar to green tea, you could be interested in discovering the specific health benefits of green tea for men or the health benefits of green tea for women!

To explore more about the benefits of various teas, don’t miss our comprehensive article on the “health benefits of drinking tea“.

What’s the Best Way to Take Matcha Tea?

There are various ways to enjoy the health benefits of matcha tea and matcha green tea. You can sip it plain, add it to smoothies, or incorporate it into baked goods. As for when to enjoy it, matcha is a perfect pick-me-up for the morning or a calming beverage in the afternoon.

Many delectable recipes incorporate matcha, like matcha pancakes, matcha latte, or matcha energy balls. At our place, we incorporate matcha in many of our recipes. You can take a peek at them here.

For a fun and flavorful way to sip it while benefiting from other herbs, you should absolutely try the matcha tea blends from Art of Tea!

Potential matcha tea side effects and Considerations

While matcha tea benefits are numerous, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. These may include upset stomach and insomnia, particularly in those sensitive to caffeine. Always source your matcha from reliable suppliers to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product.

Conclusion

The health benefits of matcha tea are expansive, from cardiovascular support to mental health enhancement, weight management, oral health improvement, and much more.

So why not make a cup of matcha part of your daily routine and experience its benefits for yourself? Don’t forget to share your experience with us!

For more about matcha, do check out our review post about the best matcha tea.

References

• Cabrera, C., Artacho, R., Giménez, R. (2006). Beneficial Effects Of Green Tea—a Review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2(25), 79-99. Link Here
• El-Elimat, T., Qasem, W., Al-Sawalha, N., AbuAlSamen, M., Munaiem, R., Al‐Qiam, R., … & Sharie, A. (2022). A Prospective Non-randomized Open-label Comparative Study Of the Effects Of Matcha Tea On Overweight And Obese Individuals: A Pilot Observational Study. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 3(77), 447-454. Link Here
• El-Kholie, E., Afifi, T., Afifi, T. (2022). Potential Anti-Obesity Effects of Matcha Tea in Rats Fed on a High Fat Diet. Journal of Home Economics, 32(1): pp 94-108. Link Here
• Herrera, M., Viera, I., Roca, M. (2022). Hplc–ms2 Analysis Of Chlorophylls In Green Teas Establishes Differences Among Varieties. Molecules, 19(27), 6171. Link Here
• Hursel, R., Viechtbauer, W., Westerterp-Plantenga, M. (2009). The Effects Of Green Tea On Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance: A Meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity, 9(33), 956-961. Link Here
• Kochman, J., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., Mruk, H., Janda, K. (2020). Health Benefits and Chemical Composition Of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules, 1(26), 85. Link Here
• Kurauchi, Y., Ohta, Y., Matsuda, K., Sanematsu, W., Devkota, H., Katsuki, H. (2023). Matcha Tea Powder’s Antidepressant-like Effect Through the Activation Of The Dopaminergic System In Mice Is Dependent On Social Isolation Stress. Nutrients, 3(15), 581. Link Here
• Morishima, S., Kawada, Y., Takagi, T., Naito, Y., Inoue, R. (2023). A Randomized, Double-blinded Study Evaluating Effect Of Matcha Green Tea On Human Fecal Microbiota. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 2(72), 165-170. Link Here
• Nagao, T., Hase, T., Tokimitsu, I. (2007). A Green Tea Extract High In Catechins Reduces Body Fat and Cardiovascular Risks In Humans*. Obesity, 6(15), 1473-1483. Link Here