Originated in Japan, matcha green tea, a particular variant of green tea, is the most potent across the world since the whole leaf is consumed in powder form. It is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant, just like regular green tea. However, it is grown differently in contrast with regular green tea.
The tea bushes are protected from sunlight, which triggers a rise in chlorophyll levels that turns the leaves darker and increases the production of amino acids, for nearly 20-30 days before harvest. Post harvesting, the veins, and stems are separated from the leaves. They are then grounded into a fine powder of green color known as matcha.
Matcha consists of the nutrients from the whole tea leaf, resulting in a larger content of caffeine and antioxidants than typically available in regular green tea. It offers a series of other benefits that can aid in promoting heart health and protecting the liver. Further, matcha green tea also helps in weight loss.
Elaborated below is a list of 5 proven health benefits of the matcha green tea:
- High in antioxidants
Matcha is rich in catechins that act as natural antioxidants. Antioxidants stabilize harmful free radicals that are compounds with the potential to damage cells and cause chronic diseases. Matcha powder has more antioxidants and catechins than regular green tea because the tea contains nutrients from the whole leaf. By one estimate, the number of a few catechins in matcha green tea is up to 137 times greater than in other kinds of green tea.
Studies revealed that including matcha green tea in your regular diet could raise your antioxidant intake. This, thereby, helps in preventing cell damage and even lowers the risk of several chronic diseases.
- Boosts brain function
Research reveals that there are several components present in the matcha green tea that helps in enhancing brain function. Another small study revealed that the intake of 2 grams of matcha green tea regularly for 2 months aided brain function enhancement in older people. Another study conducted on 23 people focused on how the people performed on a set of tasks specially designed to measure brain performance.
Some participants, out of the 23, consumed a bar or green tea containing nearly 4 grams of matcha, whereas, others were given to consume a placebo bar or tea. It was noticed that matcha, in contrast to the placebo enhanced reaction time and improved attention and memory.
Further, the content of caffeine is more in matcha green tea than in regular green tea. Several studies disclosed that caffeine consumption improves brain function, enhances attention and memory, and cites faster reaction times. Matcha further contains L-theanine, a compound that alters the impact of caffeine, which increases the alpha wave activity in your brain thereby help in decreasing stress levels and inducing relaxation.
- Promote heart health
Accounting for approximately one-third of the total deaths of people who are aged 35 and above, heart disease is one of the most leading causes of death across the world. The nutrient profile of matcha green tea is great when it comes to protecting against heart diseases.
Further, it has also been revealed that the green tea powder lowers the levels of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It also prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thereby providing another reason that helps protect against heart diseases.
The matcha green tea possesses the potential to keep your heart healthy and fit and also protect it against several diseases when combined with a healthy lifestyle and a well-rounded diet regularly.
- Helps you lose weight
Green teas are well known for being potential to aid and enhance weight loss. Matcha green tea is a potent weight loss supplement. Studies further reveal that it aids to boost up metabolism to raise energy expenditure and speed up fat burning.
Several studies have been conducted on the intake of matcha green tea. One study revealed that consuming green tea during any form of exercise increases fat burning almost by 17%. Another study conducted showed that consuming a green tea supplement boosts 24-hour energy expenditure. Further, a review of a total of 12 studies disclosed that the green tea powder aided maintain body loss by reducing body weight.
- Helps protect the liver
As the liver plays the crucial role of metabolizing drugs, processing nutrients, and essentially flushing out toxins, it is vital to the health. A study conducted on diabetic rats showed that their intake of the matcha green tea aided not only in preventing damage to the liver but also in the kidneys. Further, the green tea extract reduces liver enzyme levels.
Matcha green tea is highly packed with antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds. It has proven to offer all the aforementioned benefits and thus help in maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle.
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