Matcha is one of the most talked about health trends to be introduced in western societies in recent years. Japanese people have been drinking it for over a millennia and claim that it has an array of health benefits. Today we know why. There are many health benefits to Matcha and this article is going to highlight some of them and the reasons why. It’s important for us to look at a bit of the science behind why Matcha has so many health benefits and why so many people throughout history have waxed lyrical about its health benefits to both mind and body.
Antioxidants
The first reason is that Matcha is the king of antioxidants, more than any other ‘superfood’. There’s no other food that even comes close in its high levels of antioxidants. Matcha tea also contains an uncommon group of antioxidants known as catechins. These cannot be found in other foods making it truly specialised unmatched. Matcha also contains catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) which provides potent cancer-fighting properties. Antioxidants are also widely known to prevent ageing, cellular damage, and some chronic diseases.
Focus
Matcha contains the wonder amino acid L-Theanine which has been shown to produce alpha waves in the brain which induces a state of relaxation and without drowsiness. You wouldn’t want that as part of their daily routine! Japanese Zen Buddhist monks used Matcha Green Tea whilst meditating to reach what they regarded as a higher state of consciousness, something we can now somewhat explain through its chemical composition. L-Theanine also has other benefits and promotes the production of other useful chemicals including serotonin and dopamine which have both been proven to improve memory and concentration. Possibly the perfect combination for anyone studying for exams or needing extra focus at work.
Metabolism
Drinking Matcha Green Tea as part of a healthy regular diet has also shown to increase the body’s natural metabolism. We all know that as we get older our bodies natural metabolism tends to slow down, especially as some people become less physically active in older age. Some studies have shown that the effects of this increased metabolism can be up to four times faster at burning fat than the average. Great for us wanting to start the new on a health regime with specific goals.
Detox
The leaves used to make Green Tea Matcha are grown in such a way so that they dramatically increase their chlorophyll production in the last few weeks before they’re harvested. This gives the tea its vibrant green colour and the chlorophyll acts as an incredible detoxifier in the human body, capable of removing both heavy metals and toxins. This is possibly a bonus benefit for those of us that enjoy a drink or two at the weekend.
Immune System Support
We all now that to support a healthy immune system we need to top up on all of our vitamins and minerals. Matcha Green Tea also contains Potassium, Iron, Protein, Calcium and Vitamins A & C not to mention the catechins that are also known to have antibiotic properties.
If you’d like to try our award-winning Organic Green Tea Matcha, made in Kyoto by our Matcha maker Koyamaen, go to the online store here and tell us about your experiences drinking Matcha.
