Matcha tea is delicious and is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s made from the grounds of green tea leaves that you add to heated water (about 70°C) and is loaded with antioxidants that protect the cells and tissues in your body from damage. One cup of matcha tea is known to contain as many nutritional benefits as multiple cups of green tea! Below are what I think are the top 5 health benefits. If you’re interested in trying matcha tea, you might want to try out my favorite brand or check out our 5 favorites from around the world.
#1. Memory Enhancer
Matcha tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine which studies have shown improves memory and learning. Research has demonstrated that when L-theanine is combined with caffeine – which matcha tea also contains – it increases mental alertness as well as the ability to learn quicker.
Its direct effect on the brain significantly increases activity in the alpha frequency band. These are the same brainwaves that are positively affected during meditation. The result is that it relaxes the mind without causing any kind of drowsiness.
If you’re going to be hitting the books, be sure to havea cup of matcha tea by your side!
#2. Weight Loss
One of the best benefits of matcha tea is its ability to increase weight loss. It was once believed that its fat burning properties came from caffeine alone, but it’s now known that the antioxidant Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is also responsible. When combined, caffeine and EGCG increase the amount of calories a person burns throughout the day through a process called thermogenesis. It’s been discovered that it can increase your metabolism from anywhere between 4%-10%.
Say goodbye to those extra pounds!
#3. Anti-Cancer
Research has shown matcha tea has the ability to prevent and kill cancerous cells. While some health elixirs will be beneficial against a few types of cancer, matcha tea has been the focus of studies that show its effectiveness versus many different types of cancer. Further studies are needed, but the superstar beverage, matcha tea has shown promise against bladder,breast, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and stomach cancer!
#4. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
Every year an estimated 17.5 million people in the world die from heart disease, and poor diet plays a large part. You can greatly reduce your risk thanks to the spread of heart health benefits found inside of matcha tea.
Drinking it not only lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels but also increases HDL (good) cholesterol. Some studies have suggested that it lowers blood pressure, and it’s been shown to reduce stroke by as much as 21% and heart attacks by as much 26%.
#5. Helpful Vs Autoimmune Disease
If you’re suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or countless others, you might consider adding matcha tea toyour diet. The powerful antioxidant EGCG found inside of the tea contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that have shown promise in reducing the pain and suffering that many autoimmune diseases cause.
Scientists were amazed when they discovered that EGCG also increases T cells in our body that directly suppress autoimmune diseases on a cellular level!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25761837
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v24/n2/full/0801101a.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10584049
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19228856
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/green-tea-may-lower-heart-disease-risk
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602143214.htm
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/green-tea