Matcha tea is a variation of green tea. Like green tea, it comes from the "Camellia sinensis" plant. However, due to the difference in cultivation, the nutrient profile also differs. The benefits of matcha tea are due to its rich antioxidant content. The benefits of matcha tea include improving liver health, improving cognitive performance, preventing cancer, and protecting the heart.
Farmers cover the tea leaves 20-30 days before harvest to avoid direct sunlight. This increases the production of chlorophyll, increasing the amino acid content and giving the plant a darker green color. After the tea leaves are harvested, the stems and veins are removed and the leaves are ground into a fine powder known as matcha.
Matcha tea contains the nutrients of these tea leaves; in greater amounts than those found in green tea in generalkafein veantioxidant It contains.
What is Matcha Tea?
Green tea and matcha come from the Camellia sinensis plant native to China. But matcha tea is grown differently from green tea. This tea contains higher levels of certain substances such as caffeine and antioxidants than green tea. One cup (4 ml) of standard matcha, made from 237 teaspoons of powder, contains approximately 280 mg of caffeine. This is much higher than a cup (35 ml) of regular green tea, providing 237 mg of caffeine.
Most people do not drink a full cup (237 ml) of matcha tea at a time due to its high caffeine content. The caffeine content also varies depending on the amount of powder you add. Matcha tea tastes bitter. That's why it's usually served with a sweetener or milk.
Benefits of Matcha Tea
Benefits of matcha tea
Contains high levels of antioxidants
Matcha tea is rich in catechins, a type of plant compound found in tea that acts as a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants help balance harmful free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells and cause chronic disease.
According to estimates, some types of catechins in this tea are 137 times higher than in other types of green tea. Those who use matcha tea increase their intake of antioxidants, which can help prevent cell damage and even lower the risk of developing certain chronic diseases.
The liver is vital to health and plays an important role in flushing out toxins, metabolizing drugs and processing nutrients. Some studies say that matcha tea can help maintain liver health.
Improves cognitive performance
Some research shows that certain ingredients in matcha tea may help improve cognitive function. This type of teagreen teaIt contains more caffeine than. Multiple studies link caffeine consumption to an increase in cognitive performance.
Matcha tea ingredient also contains a compound called L-theanine, which modifies the effects of caffeine, increasing alertness and helping to prevent drops in energy levels. L-theanine increases the alpha wave activity of the brain, which helps to relax and reduce stress levels.
It is effective in preventing cancer
Matcha tea has been found to contain compounds linked to cancer prevention in test-tube and animal studies. It is especially high in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is stated to have strong anti-cancer properties.
Protects from heart diseases
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about a third of all deaths over the age of 35. Matcha tea eliminates some heart disease risk factors. It lowers bad cholesterol and reduces blood levels of triglycerides. It also reduces the risk of stroke.
Does Matcha Tea Make You Weak?
Products sold as slimming pills contain green tea extract. Green tea is known to aid weight loss. Studies have determined that by accelerating metabolism, it increases energy consumption and fat burning.
Green tea and matcha are made from the same plant and contain a comparable nutrient profile. Therefore, it is possible to lose weight with matcha tea. However, those who lose weight with matcha tea should consume it as part of a healthy diet.
How Does Matcha Tea Weaken?
Low in calories
Matcha tea is low in calories – 1 g contains about 3 calories. The fewer calories you consume, the less chance there is for fat to be stored in the body.
Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants prevent weight gain and accelerate weight loss by helping to flush out toxins, boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
If you are trying to lose weight, you should pay attention to your metabolic rate. If your metabolism is slow, you won't be able to burn fat no matter how little you eat. Matcha tea speeds up metabolism. The catechins present in tea help improve metabolic rate during and after exercise.
Burns fat
Fat burning is a biochemical process of breaking large fat molecules into smaller triglycerides, and these triglycerides must be consumed or excreted. Matcha tea is rich in catechins, which increase the body's thermogenesis from 8-10% to 35-43%. Moreover, drinking this tea increases exercise endurance, helps to burn fat and mobilize.
Balances blood sugar
A sustained rise in blood sugar levels can put you at risk of becoming insulin resistant and diabetic. Matcha tea helps regulate blood sugar levels as it contains a good amount of fiber that keeps you full for a long time and prevents overeating. When you do not overeat, glucose levels will not rise. This will also prevent you from being prone to type 2 diabetes.
It reduces stress
Stress triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. When cortisol levels are constantly rising, the body goes into a state of inflammation. You start to feel tired and restless at the same time. The worst side effect of being stressed is weight gain, especially in the belly area. Matcha tea is loaded with antioxidants that help scavenge harmful oxygen radicals, reduce inflammation and prevent weight gain.
Provides energy
Matcha tea increases alertness by energizing. The more energetic you feel, the more active you will be. This prevents laziness, increases stamina and aids weight loss.
Helps cleanse the body
Poor diet and lifestyle habits can cause toxic buildup in the body. Toxic accumulation is one of the causes of weight gain. So you need to cleanse your body. What could be better than matcha tea, which is loaded with antioxidants that help scavenge harmful free oxygen radicals? Cleansing the body with matcha tea helps to lose weight, prevent constipation, improve digestion, build immunity and improve overall health.
Matcha Tea Harms
It is generally not recommended to drink more than 2 cups (474 ml) of matcha tea per day, as it concentrates both beneficial and harmful substances. Matcha tea has some side effects that should be known;
By consuming matcha tea powder, you get all kinds of nutrients and contaminants from the tea leaf from which it is produced. Matcha leaves contain heavy metals, pesticides and pesticides that the plant takes from the soil it grows.fluoride includes pollutants. This includes pesticides. Therefore, it is necessary to use organic ones. However, there is a small risk of contaminants in those sold organically.
Liver and kidney toxicity
Matcha tea contains three times more antioxidants than green tea. Although it varies from person to person, the high levels of plant compounds found in this tea can cause nausea and symptoms of liver or kidney toxicity. Some individuals have shown signs of liver toxicity after consuming 4 cups of green tea daily for 6 months – the equivalent of about 2 cups of matcha tea per day.
How to Make Matcha Tea?
This tea is prepared in the traditional Japanese style. Tea is whipped with a bamboo spoon or with a special bamboo whisk. Matcha tea is made as follows;
You can prepare matcha tea by putting 1-2 teaspoons (2-4 grams) of matcha powder in a glass, adding about 60 ml of hot water and mixing it with a small whisk.
Depending on your preferred consistency, you can adjust the water ratio.
For a less dense tea, mix half a teaspoon (1 gram) of matcha powder with 90-120 ml of hot water.
If you prefer a more concentrated version, add 2 ml of water to 4 teaspoons (30 grams) of matcha powder.
