Matcha Green Tea – What’s the hype all about?
Matcha green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is native to China. Matcha is grown differently than regular green tea as the bushes are shielded from sunlight for 20–30 days before harvest. The shade triggers an increase in chlorophyll levels, which turns the leaves a darker shade of green and increases the production of amino acids.
Matcha green tea is often consumed for its many health benefits:
- Rich in antioxidants – Dietary antioxidants counteract free radicals in your body, protecting cells and tissues from damage. One of the most powerful antioxidants is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been extensively studied, and it has been found that it may reduce inflammation in the body, help maintain healthy arteries and promote cell repair [1].
- Boosts brain function – Some research suggests that several of the components in matcha green tea could help enhance brain function. Researchers in a 2017 study found that matcha caused improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory, compared to the placebo [2]. Another small study showed that consuming 2 grams of green tea powder daily for 2 months helped improve brain function in older people [3].
- May reduce the risk of heart disease – Studies show that people who consume matcha green tea have up to a 31% lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t [4]. It is suggested that this is mainly attributed to the antioxidants and plant compounds in matcha green tea.
- Liver Protection – Some studies have found that drinking matcha green tea can help prevent kidney and liver damage. One study gave 80 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease either a placebo or 500 mg of green tea extract daily for 90 days. After 12 weeks, green tea extract significantly reduced liver enzyme levels. Elevated levels of these enzymes are a marker of liver damage [5].
- Weight loss – Green tea is well known for its ability to enhance weight loss and studies show that it may help speed up metabolism to increase energy expenditure and boost fat burning. One small study showed that taking green tea extract during moderate exercise increased fat burning by 17% [6].
Epigenetics Matcha Green Tea comes in a pack of 90 capsules making it super easy to get your daily dose on the go.
Research Links
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X21003594
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28784536/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25268837/