Matcha green tea is more than just a trendy drink; it is a powerful superfood that has been used by the Japanese for centuries because of its health benefits. Unlike regular green tea, the whole leaf is utilized in the tea-making process. Because the entire leaf is used, you get the maximum amount of possible benefits by drinking this tea.
Matcha is also produced differently than traditional green tea. It is covered with a cloth before it is harvested, which helps to increase the amount of chlorophyll produced by it. This process also increases the amino acid content, all while giving the tea a better flavor. It is then picked by hand, aged, and then ground down into powdered form.
Just like green tea, matcha green tea is full of nutrients, but because of the way that it is produced, harvested and prepared, its healing qualities are maximized. Below are some of the top health benefits of matcha green tea.
Full of Antioxidants
ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and is a way of measuring antioxidant levels and how much a substance absorbs free radicals. Berries are known by many to be high in antioxidants; For example, a cultivated blueberry’s ORAC value is 24. The ORAC value of matcha green tea is 57 times higher than a blueberry’s – reaching an ORAC value of 1384! To say that it is a superfood is an understatement.
Research has shown that a person’s ORAC value should be between 3,000 and 5,000 per day. Most people are well below these numbers, however, and typically only reach around 1,200. By adding matcha green tea to your diet, you can certainly increase your chances of reaching those numbers.
Matcha green tea contains special kinds of antioxidants known as catechins, which are especially powerful at defending against free radicals in the body. They can also help to protect cells and tissue from damage. Research has shown that these powerful antioxidants have cancer-fighting properties, as well.
Produces a Calming Effect
L-Theanine is an amino acid found commonly in tea leaves. It can produce a relaxed state of being, but without a feeling of drowsiness. Because of the high levels of L-Theanine in matcha green tea, it can be quite a soothing drink.
While stress brings about beta waves in the brain, L-Theanine produces alpha waves, which bring about a state of relaxation. Even better, matcha green tea has up to five times more L-Theanine than both green and black teas.
Matcha green tea is an excellent remedy for anxiety and nervousness as it helps to increase dopamine, serotonin, and GABA levels in the brain. Each of these chemicals work to regulate emotions, mood, alertness, and cognitive skills. Drinking this powerful tea can help to produce more calm in your everyday life as well as mental sharpness.
Excellent Substitute for Coffee
Many people have chosen to replace their daily dosages of coffee for matcha green tea, and for good reason. Typically, when you consume coffee, it brings you into alertness, but it is a temporary fix. The alertness and awake feelings eventually wear off, and you feel the urge to either drink more caffeine or take a rest.
You also may experience jitteriness when drinking coffee, which can be an unpleasant feeling. Matcha green tea has become such an excellent substitute for coffee because it produces an alert feeling, but without all the side effects of coffee.
Because the caffeine is paired with the L-Theanine, it produces that awake yet calm effect. Centuries ago, monks would use matcha green tea when meditating because of this benefit. Also, since the caffeine is coupled with the L-Theanine, it can be stored longer in the body and then slowly released. Instead of a sudden jolt like from coffee, you get a more spread out alertness that lasts longer.
Contributes to Weight Loss
Another benefit of matcha green tea is that it can be an excellent weight loss aid. Because of the catechins found in the tea, it has been known to stop the growth of fat cells, therefore, reducing your fat mass, BMI, and body weight.
Research has also found that the catechins in the tea can also help to speed up your metabolism and help contribute to prolonged weight loss maintenance. It can help to increase thermogenesis as well, which is the body’s rate of burning calories.
It has also been discovered that working out immediately after drinking matcha green tea can produce a 25% increase in fat burning. You may notice that on many weight loss products, green tea extract is typically found on the label because of its ability to burn calories four times faster than the normal rate.
Detoxification of the Body and Increased Health
Matcha green tea has a number of beneficial nutrients. Iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and potassium are just some of those. When all these nutrients work together, they provide a powerful immune booster for the body.
Also, because of the high levels of chlorophyll in the tea, it helps to rid the body of impurities. In this day and age, there are toxins everywhere you look. From plastics to cleaning products to shampoos and conditioners to the air you breathe, they are almost anywhere you go. Thanks to the healing properties of matcha green tea, you can be proactive in protecting yourself from these toxins.
With the combination of the powerful antioxidants, catechins, and numerous nutrients found in the tea, matcha has been known to help heal the body from multiple diseases and ailments, such as cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also has been shown to promote heart health because it helps reduce the LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
The benefits of matcha green tea could go on even further than this. Matcha has also been shown to improve the skin, remedy bad breath, and help prevent eye disorders. With all these health benefits, it’s no wonder that it is one of the top superfoods available. Your body will be thanking you over and over again for making the switch to this magic elixir.
