While drinking matcha tea may be a new ritual for some, matcha has actually been around for centuries. Matcha dates as far back as the Tang Dynasty (600-900 AD) where it was one of the most common teas consumed. But what makes this tea so special? And exactly how good is drinking matcha for you? Here, we’ll explore six health benefits of drinking matcha tea.
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Shop HereWhat is Matcha?
Matcha is powdered green tea. In fact, the word “matcha” literally means “powdered tea.” Although matcha comes from the same plant as green, white, and black tea (the Camellia sinensis bush), the difference is in the way the leaves are grown, harvested, and processed.
The best matcha is produced in Japan where the tea leaves are shade-grown for two to four weeks before harvest. Shading forces the tea plant to boost its natural production of chlorophyll, which gives matcha its bright green color. It also increases the content of amino acids, especially L-theanine, giving the tea a smoother, more satisfying matcha taste. Once the leaves are harvested, they’re lightly steamed, air-dried, deveined, and ground into an ultra-fine powder.
Rich in Antioxidants
Not all teas are created equally! For instance, when you make tea with a teabag, the dissolvable elements are infused into the water and many important nutrients that the leaves contain are thrown into the trash.
With matcha tea, you drink the entire tea leaf in the form of powder, because it’s whisked directly into the water. Drinking the entire tea leaf provides you with more nutrients, like antioxidants. In fact, one cup of matcha has three times more antioxidants than regular green tea.
Matcha tea is particularly rich in a class of antioxidants known as catechins, including the most powerful catechin of them all: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies have found that EGCG not only fights inflammation but also promotes cell repair.
Serves as an Immune Booster
The EGCG in matcha tea is more than just a powerful antioxidant — it’s also a powerful immune booster. EGCG plays an important role in the absorption of zinc, a nutrient that works with T-cells (immune cells) to target, neutralize, block the growth of, and stop the replication of viral infections. Overall, zinc is crucial for boosting your immune system and fighting off viruses.
EGCG is considered a Zinc Ionophore. The purpose of Zinc Ionophores is to carry zinc across a cell’s lipid membrane so that it can provide these outstanding immune system benefits. What’s more, matcha’s EGCG is one of the most effective Zinc Ionophores that researchers have discovered! If you’re looking to give your immune system a boost, drinking a daily cup of matcha can certainly help.
Offers Calming Effects
Have you ever noticed how coffee leaves you feeling jittery? Ditch your cup of joe and whisk yourself a cup of zen with matcha. Even though matcha tea also contains caffeine, it works in harmony with the amino acid L-theanine which helps to reduce feelings of stress and makes you feel calmer. Interestingly, matcha was the drink of choice for Japanese monks because it would help them stay calm and focused during long meditation sessions.
Improves Focus and Concentration
With all of the distractions we face on a daily basis, who couldn’t use a little more focus? In various studies, matcha has been shown to improve brain performance, including attention and memory. And thanks to the powerful amino acid L-theanine, matcha also promotes alertness and prevents the dreaded crash that usually comes after drinking coffee.
Promotes Weight Loss
Green tea extract is a popular ingredient in many weight-loss supplements. Although it takes more than drinking matcha to drop those extra pounds, research shows that this popular green tea may help burn fat and increase metabolism. In a 2005 study, researchers concluded that drinking green tea high in catechins, like matcha tea, reduced body fat over a 12-week period. A more recent study published in “Human Kinetics” found that consuming one cup of matcha before a brisk, 30-minute walk enhanced fat burning in women.
Order from My Matcha Life® Today!
We hope you enjoyed learning about these six health benefits of drinking matcha tea. If you’re ready to experience the power of matcha, order from My Matcha Life® today! We offer a wide variety of premium matcha tea products that you’ll love including in your daily routine.
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