The Benefits of Matcha Green Tea For Your Health
There have been several studies that confirm the benefits of Matcha green tea to your overall health. Being nutrient rich with 10 times more antioxidants than regular cup of green tea. Some more specific studies have supported it’s benefit in areas of :-
Anti-aging
In the Okinawan region of Japan. The locals in this region live the longest. Their longevity has been partly attribute to the regular consumption of matcha green tea, which is the most popular green tea drunk in Japan. It is quickly gaining popularly around the world due to it’s capability to combat inflammation, oxidation and therefore contributing to excellent ageing benefits.
Lowers LDL “Bad “ Cholesterol
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition featured an article in 2011. Demonstrated that consumption of matcha green tea or extract significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations.
Assisting Weight Loss
In 1999 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, featured an article relating to a study that demonstrated that Match green tea rich in catechins and has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that could be explained by the tea’s caffeine content. The consumption of Match green tea increased thermogenesis ( the body’s rate of burning calories) from 8-10% to 35- 43% of daily energy expenditure.
Another study showed that exercising immediately after drinking matcha green tea resulted in a 25% increase in fat burning during the exercise.
Detoxifier and Blood cleansing Chlorophyll
Traditional matcha green tea is grown in the shade for several weeks prior to harvesting. This increases it’s chlorophyll concentration. Chlorophyll is alleged to detoxify the body. (currently no proven scientific research to support this). This is why wheatgrass is considered to be so healthy. But it is supposed to have the ability to clear the body of toxins, heavy metals, dioxins, hormone disrupters and poisons. Chlorophyll is an amazing nutrient. It is high in alkaline and known to assist in balancing the pH levels in the blood. Chlorophyll is a powerful detoxifier with anti-bacterial and even antioxidant properties
Increased Focus
L-theanine is a amino acid with psychoactive properties, capable of inducing alpha wave activity in the brain. An increase of alpha wave activity can relieve stress, encourage relaxation and even lower blood pressure. Match green tea contains up to five times more L-theanine than conventional green tea.
Even though Matcha green tea contains caffeine, the L -theanine relaxing properties offset the “jittery” effects of the caffeine. Consequently, a cup matcha green tea helps concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy coffee can produce.
Enhanced Energy
Owing to the rich antioxidant benefits, research has confirmed matcha green tea positive stimulating benefits in improving both alertness and energy levels.
Dietary Fibre
The benefits of dietary fibre are the ability to assist in stabilising blood sugar levels and lessen constipation.
Cancer Prevention Properties
As discussed previously, Matcha green tea contains potent antioxidants called catechins, which hunt down the dangerous free radicals in the body. It is believed that the most powerful anti-carcinogen is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG ) is found in green tea. A study in 2003 by the University of Colorado confirmed that drinking a cup od Match green tea has 137 times the amount of catechins (antioxidants) EGCG compared to conventional green tea.
Comparing Matcha Tea anti-oxidant levels
- 6.2 times that of Goji Berries
- 60.5 times that of spinach
- 7 times that of Dark Chocolate
- 17 times that of Wild Blueberries
- 137 times that of conventional green tea.
Benefits verses the cost.
Surprisingly enough the cost of a small pack of matcha green tea is as little as $10, for organic is about $20 -$30. If we bear in mind the matcha tea powder is very concentrated so a little goes a long way. The health benefits are more than well worth looking into.
May be serving a cup of matcha green tea to your staff at lunch time will aid in perking them up by increasing their energy levels and improve performance. Isn’t that alone a good reason to look in the benefits of Matcha tea.
How many cups of Matcha green tea should you drink a day ?
Drinking three to five cups of matcha tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits and reduce the risk of several diseases mentioned earlier.
Ways to add Matcha Tea to your diet.
As Matcha Tea is a powder, it can be added to almost anything. These are just a few examples you can try.
- Fruit Juice
- Pancakes
- Muffins, Cakes & Biscuits
- Salad
- The morning smoothie
- Soup
- Match Tea Latte
- Yoghurt
- Even make a face mask
Check out our other blogs for Matcha Green Tea recipes….. Enjoy !
Healthy Living
Liz
Reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC256614/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305289.php
https://kumikomatcha.fr/a/l/en/blogs/essais-et.../recherche-scientifique-the-matcha