5 Ways Matcha Can Improve Your Health

They've got good reasons. Matcha green tea has many physical and mental health benefits like improved focus and a boosted immune system.

First, what is matcha? Then, why should you give matcha a try?

What Is Matcha?

Matcha comes from finely ground green tea leaves. Green tea plants used for matcha are shade-grown for three to four weeks before they're harvested. This process makes the plant's caffeine and theanine levels higher than average green tea.

Once the green tea plant reaches maturity, the leaves are ground up into a thin powder with a recognizable bright green color. The tea is traditionally served as the matcha powder mixed with hot water.

In modern times, we use matcha powder for matcha lattes, as a green coloring agent, and even as a flavor for cooking. People are always finding new uses for matcha powder. 

Five Benefits of Matcha Tea

Matcha not only creates delicious teas and foods, but it's also a great supplement that has many health advantages. Because of the way it's ground up, you get all the great qualities of green tea but in an even more concentrated form.

1. Increased Focus and Energy

Matcha has a more concentrated form of caffeine than regular green tea. Studies found that people who use matcha regularly saw improved focus, memory, and reaction time. 

Unlike coffee, matcha contains theanine, which helps to prevent the energy crash that many people experience with caffeine. Other studies also showed that matcha may help to improve cognitive function in older people.

Many people prefer matcha to coffee because they don't experience the same afternoon crash or jittery, anxious feelings.

2. Helps You Lose Weight and Burn Fat

Green tea extract is a popular ingredient in weight loss supplements, and matcha has the same benefits.

Green tea helps to lose weight by speeding up your metabolism and increasing the amount of energy you use (resulting in more calories burned). One study conducted found that people who took green tea extract while working doing a light workout burned 17% more fat.

You don't have to work out to lose weight with green tea. Even if you're not actively trying to burn fat, drinking matcha during the day helps boost your metabolism and energy levels without leaving you feeling burnt out at the end of the day. It also helps you to maintain a healthy weight. 

3. Promotes Mental Wellbeing

The component, theanine, promotes relaxation and calmness. That's why, despite a high caffeine content, matcha green tea doesn't cause anxiety or jitters. 

On the contrary, Asian cultures often use matcha for meditation rituals. The process of brewing and pouring matcha tea is a sacred act in some cultures. And you'll often find a cup of matcha tea alongside some meditation practices.

The increased focus and energy without anxiety makes for a deep calmness and general state of mental well-being. People who suffer from chronic anxiety find that switching from coffee to matcha is very beneficial.

4. May Prevent Some Diseases

Green tea is high in antioxidants, which help to fight off free radicals that cause diseases. Green tea has the highest levels of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) out of any teas.

Scientists think EGCG may have anti-inflammatory properties and also help prevent some cancers from growing and heart disease.

Heart disease is one leading cause of death in America. Green tea, and matcha, have properties that reduce LDL cholesterol and its oxidation in the body, which could help prevent heart disease.

People who combine matcha tea with regular exercise and a balanced diet have a lower chance of heart disease and stroke.

5. Detoxifies and Improve Skin

Since green tea is so high in antioxidants, it also acts as a detoxifier. Matcha helps your body with fighting off toxins and pollutants that can cause acne and other conditions. 

No matter what, our bodies come in contact with pollutants in foods, clothes, and even the air sometimes. Making sure to get a healthy dose of antioxidants is a natural way to assist your liver in flushing out those impurities.

The EGCG in matcha tea also helps as an anti-aging ingredient. You can either drink green tea or apply it directly onto your skin.

Matcha green tea face masks are popular because the antibacterial properties of green tea clear out clogged pores, reduce redness, and moisturize the skin.

Matcha also has helpful minerals and vitamins in it like green tea, which helps new skin cells to grow. Vitamin E is a component of green tea, and it helps to fight against aging and restore damaged skin.

The caffeine in matcha powder works wonders for restoring dark under-eye circles and puffiness.

Green tea extract is a common ingredient in skincare products, and you can find it at just about any beauty supply store.

Experience the Advantages of Matcha

It's easy to make matcha a regular part of your diet. Making a matcha tea is simple. All it takes is 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder and hot water for a delicious green tea.

If you're feeling more creative, you can combine the matcha powder with steamed milk to create a beautiful green latte. Or, use it in a protein smoothie to boost its nutritional value.

While matcha is delicious and easy to prepare, make sure to enjoy it in moderation. One to two cups of matcha a day is plenty enough to give you the benefits of matcha without risking overdoing it.

Staying Healthy Is Easy!

Matcha tea is one great health supplement that supports cognitive function and general health. If you're interested in other supplements that support good health and mental well-being, Supplement Relief supplies people with trusted supplement brands and relevant health information on our blog.