Content Of Phenolic Acids
Phenolic acids are secondary plant metabolites, characterised by high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, in addition to neuroprotective and hypoglycemic effects . They have also been reported to inhibit cancer cell growth and prevent metastasis . Some phenolic acids, through modulating lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, may support the regulation of metabolic disorders . One of the most common compounds from this group found in foodstuffs is chlorogenic acid .
In a study by Koláková et al. , the total content of phenolics in alcoholic extracts was determined to reach up to 273 mg GAE/g. Detailed analysis revealed the following maximum levels of phenolic acids in matcha tea samples, differing in terms of various criteria, including origin: gallic acid423 g/g, p-hydroxybenzoic acid243 g/g, chlorogenic acid4800 g/g, caffeic acid223 g/g, ferulic acid289 g/g and ellagic acid371 g/g .
Matcha May Give Your Immune System A Boost
EGCG doesn’t just help you lose weight and clear your skin studies show that its antioxidants may help boost the immune system as well. EGCG may help destroy toxic free radicals in the blood that result in inflammation and cell damage.
When free radicals overwhelm the body, it results in what’s called oxidative stress, which has been linked to inflammatory diseases like arthritis, ischemic diseases like stroke, and even neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Although there is no evidence that matcha can cure or prevent these diseases directly, green tea has some of the highest antioxidant amounts of any food, according to a 2010 study in Nutrition Journal. While the benefits of drinking matcha have been well-documented, consult a physician or dietitian before using matcha to treat a medical condition.
Boosts Energy Minus The Jitters
Like your favorite cup of joe, matcha also contains caffeine. This means you can get the same energy boost from matcha as your coffee.
However, unlike coffee or energy drinks, matcha contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which has a calming and relaxing effect. This amino acid also slows the release of caffeine, so you wonât feel the jitters like when you drink coffee.
With matcha, you only get a clean caffeine hit, making it an excellent alternative to coffee.
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Potential For Regulating Carbohydrate Metabolism
The effects of catechins and other polyphenolics on the parameters of carbohydrate metabolism show their hypoglycemic action . Matcha may help lower blood glucose levels , and its EGCG content may inhibit starch digestion, thus minimising the sudden release of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract . EGCG may present capacity for inhibiting gluconeogenesis and the absorption of lipids and glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improving insulin sensitivity .
It May Help Lower Cholesterol
High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and strokes. But there are certain foods and drinks can help reduce diet-induced high cholesterol and matcha is one of them.
One study found that daily matcha tea extract lowers of LDL cholesterol, and a review of the available research concluded that drinking green tea beverages including matcha reduced both LDL and total cholesterol in the subjects studied.22,23
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Hair Benefits Of Matcha Tea:
15. Improve Hair Growth:
Matcha tea offers exceptional benefits for hair as it has high amounts of antioxidants. It helps faster hair growth by stimulating dermal papilla cells and hair follicle growth with the help of the antioxidant EGCG . In addition, using Matcha tea reduces the compound responsible for hair loss as it has a good amount of catechins, thereby promoting hair growth significantly.
It also decreases the number of split-ends with its polyphenol content that helps fortify hair roots and follicles.
16. Helps Improve Blood Circulation to the Scalp:
Matcha tea helps promote hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp as it has high amounts of vitamin E. This antioxidant supports new hair growth by protecting, strengthening ad nourishing your scalp and hair thoroughly. In addition, matcha tea gives your scalp an added protection with its anti-inflammatory properties .
It Could Help You Relax
Matcha green tea powder benefits include an anxiolytic effect, as demonstrated in studies.11
This is thought to be down to the amino acid l-theanine present in matcha green tea lowering the stress response in our bodies.12
Further, matcha tea is thought to activate both the serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain hormones responsible for wellbeing and relaxation.13
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Where Does Matcha Come From
It may seem as though Matcha appeared all of a sudden, finding its way into lattes, protein balls and smoothie bowls everywhere, but Matcha green tea powder has actually been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years – and theres a lot more to it than its vivid green colour.
It is thought that Matchas origins can be traced all the way back to the Tang Dynasty in China, an empire which ruled over 1000 years ago. This is when the first Matcha powder was made and enjoyed by locals for its healing properties.
Matcha was enjoyed by Monks in China for hundreds of years before being introduced to Japan sometime around 1911 by a Buddhist Monk named Eisai. Here it was an important item in Zen monasteries and eventually became popular with locals as its availability increased.
Since this time Matchas popularity in Japan has outgrown that of China and it has been part of Japanese culture for over 800 years. Today, Matcha is exported and enjoyed globally thanks to its superfood status and incredible nutritional profile.
Can Help Prevent Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, the catechins in matcha green tea may help prevent cancer. This is possible because the chemicals in green tea, especially EGCG and ECG, protect cells from DNA damage caused by oxidization. Research using lab animals also shows that tea polyphenols can inhibit the development of tumor cells and destroy cancer cells. Furthermore, the catechins in green tea have been shown to improve how the immune system works.
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It Might Boost Your Skin’s Glow
Miyashita recommends trying matcha instead of coffee for a week if you have skin concerns, because of its sky-high vitamin levels.Vitamin C stimulates collagen production when ingested according to this study in the journal Nutrients. And vitamin B can help to promote healthy skin cell turnover, according to a study from the Advances in Skin & Wound Care journal.
Why Is Japanese Matcha Superior To Matcha Grown In Other Regions
The story of matcha is centuries old. Japanese Zen monks first learned its value when they drank matcha before long hours of meditation. Once they discovered that drinking matcha enhanced their focus and kept them awake during long sessions of mental focus, it wasn’t long before the Samurai adopted it as a ritual which optimized physical and cognitive performance during training and battle.
With strong roots in Japanese culture, the growing and harvesting of matcha has developed as a labor-intensive agricultural technique. Perfected over the past millennium, today the best of Japanese matcha tea is produced in Uji, a region known for its superior quality and the careful attention each tea plant receives matcha from this area represents the most brilliant of green color, smooth flavor, and it’s amazing benefits on mood and health.
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Why Does Matcha Green Tea Powder Help Prevent And Fight Cancer
Matcha green tea powder contains the highest levels of cancer fighting EGCg antioxidants only found in green tea. Researchers believe that the EGCg in matcha:
- Prevents free radicals from damaging cells which can lead to cancer
- Helps inhibit the growth of tumors
- Kill cancerous cells and suppresses their progression
A daily matcha green tea powder habit can deliver a powerful level of cancer fighting antioxidants to keep your body healthy and in balance.
Rich In Vitamins And Nutrients
Just 8 ounces of matcha tea contains the equivalent nutritional value of ten times as much standard green tea. One reason for the concentrated vitamin and nutrient value is that matcha tea employs the entire leaf during the harvest and brewing processes. In addition, match contains vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, K and various trace minerals. Other components of this natural, fiber-rich superfood include polyphenols, chlorophyll, catechins, and the amino acids L-theanine and theophylline.
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Where You Can Find Matchaand How To Make Your Own
Matcha is probably best known as a warm beverage but its actually an adaptable ingredient in the kitchen and beyond. Its powdered form has allowed it to take on many iterations in the modern age, according to Danson.
Many people might be familiar with the matcha latte, Kit Kat, or ice cream, but since then, creativity with matcha uses has gone wild, Danson adds. We enjoy everything from matcha pancakes, matcha sodas, matcha cocktails, to cakes and cookies and even matcha noodles or matcha face masks. Even the simple application of sprinkling matcha on your yogurt or oatmeal goes far for a fun little burst of delicious flavor for breakfast.
It Can Help Boost Energy
One of the main reasons why Matcha Maiden fell in love with matcha is because of its performance as a healthier caffeine alternative. During a bout of adrenal fatigue causing a total coffee ban, we discovered the beautiful matcha green tea powder and its gentler delivery of caffeine to the body. It contains about one third to half the amount of caffeine as a coffee, but it works differently to the caffeine found in coffee beans. Due to the unique amino acid in green tea called L-theanine, the caffeine releases much more slowly into the body and produces a calmer, alert energy boost as opposed to the spike but subsequent crash and jitters that coffee consumption can result in.
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May Help Prevent Cancer
Matcha is jam-packed with health-promoting compounds, including some that have been linked to cancer prevention in test tube and animal studies.
In one study, green tea extract decreased tumor size and slowed the growth of breast cancer cells in rats .
Matcha is especially high in epigallocatechin-3-gallate , a type of catechin that has been shown to have powerful anti-cancer properties.
One test tube study found that the EGCG in matcha helped kill off prostate cancer cells (
24 ).
When combined with a well-rounded diet and healthy lifestyle, drinking matcha may help keep your heart healthy and protect against disease.
SUMMARY
May Aid In Cancer Prevention
Some of the health promoting compounds in matcha may help prevent cancer, according to Healthline. This is especially the case withepigallocatechin-3-gallate , a catechin that has been shown to have anti-cancer properties according to a 2008study that suggested that this compound in matcha helped kill offprostate cancer cells. Other test-tube and animal studies have also shown promising results for other cancers.
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Matcha’s Antioxidant Level Vs Other Foods
Many foods have been given the label of super over time, but how many have truly earned it? Many of these so-called superfoods do contain nutrients that are good for you Nuts, dark-chocolate, berries, fruits, and vegetables all provide health benefits. All part of a healthy diet, but in this case matcha tea truly earns the title of superfood when it comes to antioxidants.
Each food has been measured for their antioxidant capacities, in a unit called ORAC Goji berries, for example, contain 253 ORAC units per gram. Dark chocolate contains 227. Pecans have 180 walnuts, 135. Pomegranates have 105, and wild berries, acai berries, broccoli and spinach all have less than 100. Where does matcha stand? Matcha green tea has a whopping 1,348 ORAC units per cup.
Matcha is not just a feel-good tea, Its thus a real superfood that boosts your physical health, improves concentration, and delivers health benefits you don’t get from other foods or beverages.
Fionas Michaels Health Issues
In terms of health benefits, Fiona Michaels was brave in admitting that she suffered from a mild peptic ulcer. She says that this tea never bothered her stomach. In fact, she was able to stop taking the medication that was prescribed to her three times a day. Bodybuilding.com claims that another benefit is muscle recovery.
Michaels is an avid hiker and distance walker. She says, I often walk and hike for hours, and I almost never got tired or felt sore when I consumed the tea in the morning. Unlike coffee, I only drank one cup, usually with milk or water and a sugar substitute. I also drank it brewed and iced in the hot weather.
She argues that it is also great for weight loss and maintaining a svelt waistline when accompanied by a healthy diet. Foods like apples and kale pack enough fiber to regulate the digestive system. This tea also has enough fiber to keep you regular and reduce bloating.
Michaels agrees with Ms. Quinns opinions about the sugary snacks that contain the tea. She loves green tea ice cream, and some cakes and chocolates cooked with the tea or with its flavor. Her determination was that they did not have the same effects as drinking a single brewed cup of the tea in the morning.
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Matcha Green Tea Powder Helps Prevent Alzheimers And Dementia
The main antioxidant in matcha green tea powder is EGCG. Studies on matcha green tea powder health benefits have shown that EGCG aids in counteracting memory loss caused by plaque deposits in people with Alzheimers. Unlike tea bags that involve whole tea leaves steeped in water, matcha tea is comprised of the entire tea leaf that is ground up into a fine powder the key source of many matcha health benefits. The powder is dissolved in warm water and the entire leaf is ingested. For this reason, matcha drinkers are able to consume much higher levels of EGCG.
What Is The Difference Between Matcha Green Tea And Regular Green Tea
Both matcha and green tea are derived from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. While green tea leaves usually come in the form of a tea bag, matcha is in powder form. Matcha is actually 100% green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. However, matcha has a much richer, more buttery flavour. Read about tea infuser.
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Why Is Matcha So Expensive
The growing and production requirements to produce high-quality matcha tea are hugely expensive and time-consuming in themselves. Creating high-quality matcha is a fine art. Of course, there are lower quality versions of matcha out there usually just ground green tea leaves. More reading: orange pekoe tea.
It May Improve Cardiovascular Health
Micronutrients are abundant in matcha, especially one known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate , a plant compound that can have positive health effects. Research gathered on EGCG and its impact on cardiovascular and metabolic health shows it can exhibit a wide range of therapeutic properties including anti-atherosclerosis, anti-cardiac hypertrophy, anti-myocardial infarction, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, according to a study published in the Journal of EthnopharmacologyEng Q, Thanikachalam PV, Ramamurthy S.. Molecular understanding of Epigallocatechin gallate in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 :296-310. . Matcha helps support the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular systempreventing plaque build-up, thickening of heart tissue, as well as other conditions such as heart attacks.
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Enhances Memory And Concentration
Serotonin and dopamine are a natural byproduct of the high levels of L-theanine in matcha green tea. Studies have shown that both dopamine and serotonin are able to increase concentration, assist the human memory, bring on a happier disposition, and generally make people feel emotionally better off.
Is Matcha Basically Green Tea
Matcha is essentially processed green tea leaves that have been stone-ground into a delicate powder. The powder is then sifted and whisked with hot water. If the leaves are rolled out they become a premium green tea named Gyokuro, while the leaves that are laid out to dry become Tencha. Dig more about tea leaf reading called.
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It Works Really Well As A Natural Food Dye
There’s some older research suggesting that artificial food dyes may be carcinogenic . This is why when there’s an opportunity to color food using natural sources, you should take advantage.
Quality matcha powder is grown in the shade versus instead of under the sun in order to force the leaves to overproduce chlorophyll, according to Japanese matcha brand BeMatcha. The OTT chlorophyll content is what gives matcha powder its rich green colorand that color will take over pretty much anything it’s mixed with.
So for baking, cooking, and even cocktail-mixing needs, add a little matcha powder for a naturally green treat. Something to remember whenever you want to impress people at your next dinner party.
Assists The Immune System
Matcha teas ability to boost the human immune system is due to the catechins that are a natural part of its leaf. Other immunity enhancers are potassium, iron, calcium, protein and vitamins C and A. Recently, clinical studies have shown that matcha tea may even be able to fight HIV infections and their ravaging effects.
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Benefits Of Drinking Matcha
One of the secrets of the Zen monks was drinking matcha green tea. It helped them stay calm and alert during long stints of meditation. Because you are consuming the entire tea leaf, you benefit from higher antioxidants, most notably EGCG, higher caffeine, and higher theanine levels.
The nutritional goodness of matcha green tea is plentiful:
- EGCG: or Epigallocatechin gallate is a catechin, a form of antioxidant. Many scientific studies have been done to determine the effect of EGCG on human health. Some studies show the positive health benefits of EGCG against cancer while others are inconclusive.
- Promote Immunity: Polyphenols of many types are abundant in tea and help promote immunity to foreign pathogens.
- Cancer Prevention: Where tea does help in cancer prevention is by mitigating free radicals, giving rise to the development of abnormal cell growth. The abnormal cells can turn cancerous. Tea alone will not prevent cancer, but combining it with a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating may certainly help. Source
- Matcha Green Tea: Provides 30 times more Vitamin C than an infusion of whole leaf green tea. The protein and calcium levels are also higher in matcha green tea.
- Weight Loss: Studies have shown that tea does increase your metabolic rate of burning calories. The catechins in tea help turn fat into energy by increasing your energy expenditure.