If you’re not already a fan of matcha green tea, it’s time to become one. Not only does it have a unique taste, but it also boasts a host of health benefits that make it a must-have addition to your daily routine. From its powerful antioxidant properties to its ability to help with weight loss and even prevent heart disease, there are plenty of reasons to start drinking matcha green tea today.
What makes matcha so special?
Matcha is different from regular green tea because it is made from the entire green tea leaf. When you drink matcha, you’re consuming the entire leaf, as opposed to merely steeping the leaves like you would with most other teas. This means that matcha contains all of the antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals found in the green tea leaf.
In fact, matcha has an impressive antioxidant ORAC score of 1573, which means that one cup of matcha green tea is equal to 10 cups of regular green tea. Keep in mind that the ORAC score measures the antioxidant power of a food, regardless of its nutritional content. However, it’s worth noting that the most nutritious foods, as well as many “superfoods,” often have the highest ORAC values.
One of the reasons why matcha’s ORAC score is so high is that it contains catechins, particularly a type of catechin known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCg. This potent antioxidant helps protect against and counteract free radical damage to our cells, which can cause DNA damage.
Catechins, body fat, and cholesterol
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the effects of catechins (the major component of green tea) on body fat reduction and LDL cholesterol reduction. In this 12-week, double-blind study, Japanese men with similar body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were divided into two groups. One group consumed a bottle of oolong tea infused with green tea extract containing a staggering 690mg of catechins, while the other group (the control group) consumed a bottle of regular oolong tea containing only 22mg of catechins.
The results of the study were significant. The green tea extract group experienced a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, and subcutaneous fat compared to the control group. These findings led the researchers to conclude that the consumption of catechins “might be useful in the prevention and improvement of lifestyle-related diseases, mainly obesity.”
Matcha’s many other benefits
Aside from its impressive effect on body fat and cholesterol levels, matcha green tea offers a wide range of other health benefits:
- Matcha contains fiber and catechins, which aid in weight loss and LDL cholesterol reduction.
- The chlorophyll in matcha is a natural odor eliminator and helps detox heavy metals and chemicals from the body.
- Matcha is a source of vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc, and magnesium.
- Matcha is high in the amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and wellbeing while boosting concentration, memory, and reducing stress.
- Matcha has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Conclusion
Given all of these incredible benefits, there’s no reason not to give matcha green tea a try. Incorporating matcha into your daily routine is an incredibly simple way to protect yourself from disease and help manage your weight. So, the next time you’re looking to switch up your morning routine or need an afternoon pick-me-up, reach for a cup of matcha green tea and enjoy the numerous health benefits it has to offer.
