Health Benefits of Matcha

We all know a person that has a deep appreciation for matcha. And there’s no questioning it, as it has a multitude of benefits compared to coffee or an energy drink.

Even though it is a green tea, it is a certain type of green tea where you consume all of its benefits in a very concentrated form; therefore amplifying its benefits to your health.

A number of studies have shown that naturally occurring chemical compounds in matcha are anti-carcinogenic by inducing cancer cell death and inhibiting cancer cell growth. It is also rich in antioxidants and promotes your body’s natural detoxification systems.

Some of it’s other benefits are:

1. May Help Prevent Cancer

Research has shown that consuming matcha can reduce the risk of several types of cancer.

Bladder cancer: A study of 882 women showed that the risk of urinary bladder cancer was significantly reduced in women who consumed matcha.

Breast cancer: A meta-analysis of multiple observational studies found that women who drank the most green tea had a 22 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Colon and rectal cancers: A study of 69,710 Chinese women aged 40 to 70 years showed a 57 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer amongst those who regularly consumed green tea.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also states that the catechins in matcha green tea (EGCG, EGC, ECG and EC) could potentially make matcha one of the top natural cancer treatment options.

2. Enhances Performance During Workouts.

Matcha green tea has proven to help people involved in high intensity workouts recover faster. It’s also been shown to reverse cellular damage caused by oxidative-nitrosative stress (an imbalance which could damage the repairing of cells and cause diseases).

3. Best Food Source of Disease-Fighting Catechins

According to Harvard research, matcha green tea is the best food source of catechins. This group of antioxidants have proven to be more effective than vitamins C and E in stopping oxidative damage to cells and also contain disease-fighting abilities.

4. Helps Stay Calm and Focused

Matcha brings a feeling of an alertness and calmness, attributed to its mix of L-theanine and caffeine. Drinking matcha can increase your levels of L-theanine, which leads to a state of relaxed alertness and helps focus and keep you calm. It also does not result in a crash in energy levels that many experience from consumption of other forms of caffeine. L-theanine has been shown to benefit patients diagnosed with anxiety by increasing levels of dopamine and GABA in the brain.

5. Can Help Protect the Liver

Another great benefit of consuming matcha green tea is that it may help protect your liver. An analysis of 15 studies found that drinking green tea was associated with a decreased risk of liver disease.

Another study gave 80 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease either a placebo or 500 mg of green tea extract daily for 90 days. The green tea extract had shown a significant reduction in liver enzyme levels; thus reducing the damage to the liver.

6. Can Reduce Cholesterol

Green tea has also shown to reduce levels of total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. It may also help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, another factor that may increase the risk of heart disease.

All in all, matcha does have significant overall benefits. However, choosing unsweetened matcha over sweetened drinks more regularly; along with a plant-based diet can give you the most benefit.