(nimon / Shutterstock.com)
Go into any tea shop or coffee café and matcha is sure to be on the menu. It’s found in lattes, smoothies, and even ice cream! This healthy beverage made from matcha powder is becoming a very popular trend.
But matcha is hardly new, this green tea has been consumed in Japan and China for hundreds of years, according to WebMD. The leaves are ground into a powder after they are harvested so matcha is stronger than regular green tea. A little of this green treasure can go a long way.
So whether you enjoy it hot or cold, matcha comes with a host of health benefits that range from helping to reduce the symptoms of arthritis to heart health. Check out these five benefits of adding matcha to your daily diet.
Loaded With Antioxidants
Matcha is rich in undefined, an antioxidant that helps to stabilize free radicals that can damage cells and cause inflammation in people with arthritis or suffering from an injury. Antioxidants can also help to protect you from chronic diseases, according to Healthline. Matcha actually contains 137 times the catechins than any other type of green tea. That’s a lot of health in just one cup.
(Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com)
May Boost Brain Function
Some of the components – L-theanine and caffeine – of matcha could enhance brain function. A controlled clinical trial looked at the role matcha played on the brain and included cognitive tests that assessed attention, information processing, and memory. While other studies have studied the effects of green tea, this was the first one to test matcha. The study suggested that consumption of matcha improved attention, reaction time and memory.
(Anna_Pustynnikova / Shutterstock.com)
Could Contribute to Heart Health
The same catechins may also help you lower your blood pressure, your LDL (bad cholesterol), and total cholesterol levels, according to WebMD. These factors could lead to heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.Drinking matcha tea could help.
(grafvision / Shutterstock.com)
Aids Dental Health
A cup of matcha a day, may help keep the dentist away. Matcha really is good for your teeth, said a blog from Enjoy Green Tea. A study in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research suggested that the polyphenols and catechins found in matcha may protect against acid and bacteria damaging your teeth. This can also help protect your gums. So take care of your dental health and have a cup today.
(Zamrznuti tonovi / Shutterstock.com)
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 with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a catechin that has been shown to have anti-cancer properties according to a 2008 study that suggested that this compound in matcha helped kill off prostate cancer cells. Other test-tube and animal studies have also shown promising results for other cancers.
(Sveta Y / Shutterstock.com)
