When you walk into your favorite coffee shop for breakfast or a morning coffee, you'll probably see a matcha option on the menu, too.
Matcha has its origins in China and became extremely popular in Japan.
More recently, it has become a favorite drink in many other countries, including the United States.
COFFEE VS. MATCHA TEA: WHAT DOES YOUR CHOICE OF MORNING DRINK SAY ABOUT YOU?
Matcha, which is green, offers consumers earthy notes in every sip. It is a type of powdered green tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is similar to green tea.
What really makes matcha different is the way the plant is grown, which is shaded until it is harvested. When the plant is harvested, the stems and veins are removed and the entire leaf is ground into a fine powder.
Matcha is packed with health benefits that make it a popular beverage to drink before a busy day. (iStock)
Matcha can be consumed in a variety of ways, the most common being in the form of a drink. To make matcha tea, which can be enjoyed hot or iced, simply mix the powder with water. You can also combine matcha powder with milk for a drink more similar to latte.
Alternatively, you can include matcha powder in baked goods or sprinkle it over oatmeal or a healthy açai bowl.
Matcha is not only famous for its taste, it is also popular for its health benefits.
Matcha can be served hot or iced. You can buy it at a local coffee shop or make it yourself at home. (iStock)
Some of the health benefits believed to be derived from its consumption are as follows:
- Full of antioxidants
- Improved brain function
- Protects the liver
1. Full of antioxidants
Matcha is packed with antioxidants, including catechins, which are plant compounds found in green tea that act as natural antioxidants, according to Healthline.
The high amount of antioxidants in matcha can be attributed to the fact that the entire leaf is ground into a fine powder, which sets it apart from other green teas, which are typically brewed from the leaves.
The high level of antioxidants in matcha may help prevent cell damage and reduce the risk of certain diseases, according to WebMD.
2. Improves brain function
In a 2017 study published by PubMed for the National Library of Medicine, a group of 23 people were examined to determine how they performed different tasks intended to measure brain performance.
Some individuals were given four grams of matcha in tea or a bar, while the control group received a placebo.
Matcha is prepared differently than typical tea: it is stirred directly into water rather than strained. (iStock)
The study found that those who consumed four grams of matcha had improvements in attention, reaction time and memory compared to those who received a placebo.
More studies are needed to solidify the idea that matcha improves brain function, as scientists have noted that improved brain function could be a result of the caffeine contained in matcha, according to WebMD.
An average cup of matcha contains about 19 to 45 milligrams of caffeine per gram, which equates to about 38 to 176 milligrams of caffeine per cup on average, according to Healthline.
For comparison, a cup of coffee has about 70 to 140 milligrams per brewed cup, depending on the source.
Matcha contains caffeine: the average cup contains between 38 and 176 milligrams. (iStock)
3. Protect the liver
Matcha and green tea may reduce the risk of liver disease.
In 2015, PubMed Central published a review of 15 studies that found that drinking green tea was associated with a lower risk of liver disease.
In 2020, experts noted that matcha's liver-protective properties benefit those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — a condition in which fat builds up in the liver — by reducing liver enzymes, but may have the opposite impact on those without NAFLD, according to Heathline.
Before trying to incorporate anything new into your diet, including matcha, always start with small amounts so you know how your body will react.
