HomeThere are 10 matcha benefits you should know about, and we’re going to cover all of them in this video. Weight loss and mood improvement are just two, but there are so many more benefits you can get from drinking matcha tea. There are also a few side effects you’ll want to watch out for, but we’ll save those for the end. This video is an excerpt from our book, Macha Masterclass, a 140-page guide on all things matcha, from the history of matcha to how it’s made. You can get the full book for free when you sign up using the link below. Brain function. Although matcha is extremely high in caffeine, it’s also very high in elthianine. Elthianine slows the absorption of caffeine, so instead of getting a sudden jolt of energy all at once and then a crash later on in the day, you get this long-lasting, calm alert sensation that lasts throughout the day. This is why you don’t feel as jittery when you drink matcha compared to coffee. Heart health. Matcha delivers a cocktail of cardio friendly compounds, catechins, which are a powerful antioxidant, elthianine, a mild dose of caffeine, and heart essential minerals like potassium and magnesium.
In a large Japanese cohort that tracked more than 40,000 adults for 11 years, people who drank more than 3 to 5 cups of green tea daily had roughly a 10 to 20% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who seldom drank tea. This study did not isolate matcha, but because matcha is a whole leaf form of green tea, and often richer in catechins, researchers expect the protection to be at least comparable. In short, a daily bowl of matcha can be a healthy part of your routine, along with regular movement, balanced eating, and the usual healthy living basics. We’ll We’ll talk about weight loss in a second, but before we get to it, if you’re enjoying this video so far, it would really mean a lot to us if you could hit the like and subscribe button to see more matcha videos in the future. Now, let’s talk about weight loss. A few controlled trials have shown that taking green tea catechins before or during moderate exercise can modestly boost fat oxidation and daily energy expenditure. A 2009 meta-analysis found an average extra weight reduction of about one kilo or two pounds over 8 to 12 weeks compared with a placebo.
Although results vary and are smaller in regular caffeine drinkers. In other words, matcha may give you a gentle nudge in the right direction, but it works best alongside a balanced diet and consistent activity rather than a standalone weight loss tool. Lever protection. The liver is so important when it comes to flushing out toxins and metabolizing nutrients. That’s why it’s so important to maintain liver function as you get older. The high levels of chlorophyll in the matcha may help the liver serve its basic functions. One study gave 80 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, either a placebo or a green tea extract. At the end of the study, it was found that the green tea group had reduced liver enzyme levels compared to the placebo group. High liver enzyme levels would be a marker for liver damage, so this would seem to point to green tea having a positive impact when it comes to maintaining liver health. Reducing cognitive decline. Because of the high amount of polyphenols and amino acids in matcha, it may help protect against cognitive decline, warding off dementia and boosting memory. One study conducted with people over the age of 60 found that matcha significantly improved performance on recall and memory tests over the course of 12 weeks, as if you needed another reason to drink matcha tea.
But if you thought these matcha health benefits were impressive, we still have five more to go. Boosting mood. The L-theanine in matcha not only helps to buffer the negative side effects of caffeine, it is also thought to improve mood. L-theanine stimulates alpha brainwave activity, the same brainwave stimulated during meditation. This creates a calmer and more relaxed state during which the brain feels more creative and less anxious. This is why many tea drinkers choose to drink high theanine teas like matcha and gyokuro during long periods of work and study. But not all matcha is created equal. Lower-quality matcha will contain lower levels of L-theanine compared to high-quality matcha. This not only makes the taste bitter, but you don’t get the same calm alert energy. If you want to find some premium matcha tea, you can try all of our favorite matcha at neotees. Com. We even have a sampler so you can taste a few side by side and choose your favorite. Skin health. That’s right. Drinking a delicious bowl of matcha can be part of your skincare routine. The high concentration of antioxidants and other healthy compounds in matcha is thought to help contribute to a clear, smooth, and healthy complexion.
Matcha may also help protect your skin against UV rays and sun damage, and it may even fight off acne, promote blood flow to the skin, and alleviate redness. In addition to this, it may even help to slow down the signs of aging. Lowering Cholesterol. One of the key battles when it comes to improving your overall health is struggle to maintain healthy cholesterol. Luckily, matcha may be able to help you out. Studies have shown that individuals who drink matcha tea regularly have lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels, while at the same time having higher levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Boosting immune system. The catechins in green tea are responsible for so many of their health benefits. During one study, these compounds were given to health care workers in a green tea extract, and they were found to be three times less likely to succumb to the flu. This means that green has the potential to not only make you feel better when you’re sick, but also help prevent you from ever getting sick in the first place. Speaking of getting sick, if you’ve ever felt nauseous while drinking matcha, we’ll show you how to avoid that in the side effects section.
But we still have one more health benefit to get through, energy. Of course, in addition to all these health benefits, matcha also gives you a lot of energy in a similar way to coffee. This can have all sorts of secondary benefits like increased alertness during work or school, as well as increased performance during your workouts. Try swapping out that cup coffee for a cup of matcha and see how you feel. Matcha Side Effects. While there are so many benefits to matcha, it’s important to mention that there are also a few minor side effects if you drink too much. Here are a few you might want to be mindful of. Interaction with Medications. Matcha and green tea may interact with certain medications, affecting their absorption or efficacy. For example, green tea may decrease the absorption of statins like Lipitor, and it may enhance the effects of blood thinners. If you’re on either of these types of medications, it doesn’t hurt to ask your doctor if you’re able to drink green tea with them. Caffeine-related side effects. Macha contains high levels of caffeine, which can lead to a heightened nervousness and jitteriness in some individuals, particularly those who are sensitive to caffeine.
Drinking matcha close to bedtime may interfere with your sleep patterns due to the stimulating effects of caffeine. It’s important to be mindful of when you drink your matcha and avoid it later on in the day. Gastrointestinal side effects. Some people may experience stomach discomfort, nausea, or even mild pain after drinking large large amounts of matcha. This is because matcha is mildly acidic, less acidic than black tea, coffee, or red wine, but still slightly acidic. This might irritate the stomach lining in some cases, which can lead to nausea. To avoid these symptoms, it’s best to make sure that you don’t drink matcha on an empty stomach. So while there are a few minor matcha side effects, they can all be prevented if you avoid drinking matcha on an empty stomach, drinking matcha too late in the day, and drinking too much matcha. If you’re responsible with your matcha consumption, you will be able to take advantage of all the great benefits of matcha without the side effects. If you want to try some matcha tea for yourself, you can browse our selection at neotees. Com. After traveling around Japan for the past few years, we’ve met with dozens of tea farmers and sampled hundreds of different matcha teas. We’ve ultimately selected a small handful of our favorites, and we’re so happy to share them with all of you with free shipping options worldwide. In the next episode, we’re going to tell you all about the Bamboo Macha Whisk, everything from how it’s made to how to use it. If you don’t want to wait so long, you can get the full book for free today. You just need to sign up using the link in the description below. Until then, we’ll see you next time.
