Why Matcha Tea is So Hot Right Now?

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Matcha is very much the tea of the moment, let’s take a look at what it is and what natural health benefits it provides.

 

What is Matcha?

A long-standing tradition of Japanese culture, Matcha is a nutrient-dense, powdered green tea. Usually mixed using a whisk and hot water, with Matcha the whole leaf is consumed instead of just the brewed water.

Research is suggesting, because the whole leaf is consumed, Matcha has more nutritional benefits than regular Green tea. [1]

Matcha is packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, B-complex, C, E and K as well as trace minerals and a family of phytonutrients called catechin polyphenols. [2]

 

Matcha’s Natural Health Benefits?

Catechin polyphenols, found in green and black tea, are rich in antioxidants and may help to protect cells against free-radical damage that could lead to aging, cancer and heart disease.

Matcha, contains a specific catechin, EGCG (Epigallo-catechin gallate). A study by Kao et al. (2000), reported that EGCG, found in Matcha Green Tea, significantly reduced food intake and body weight. Highlighting how Matcha Green Tea works to suppress appetite by regulating hormones which tell the brain we are satisfied and full. [3]

There is also evidence from clinical studies that suggests drinking Japanese green teas such as Matcha, may help to reduce or moderate stress. [4]

 

What’s the difference between Matcha tea and Green tea?

While Matcha is a type of green tea, the leaves tend to be of a higher quality and therefore may contain more antioxidants and greater beneficial nutrients. Additionally, consuming Matcha tea involves drinking the entire leaf, crushed and mixed into the tea, further increasing potential nutrient absorption.

Matcha usually comes as a rich green powder which can be mixed in hot water as a tea, however it’s also very popular in juices, baked goods and other beverages.

 

What about Matcha Pills?

Matcha is also being packaged in pill-form with marketing promoting the antioxidant value and EGCG benefits. As always, do your research on the manufacturer’s ingredients, production process and quality standards, ensuring ingredients are derived from organic real foods and be sure to check with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your health plan.

 

 

Have You Tried Matcha? What do you think?

 

 

For Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Life; visit: www.organichealth.co.za 

 

 

Article Sources:

 

[1] Weiss, David J.; Anderton, Christopher R. (2003). “Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetic chromatography”. Journal of Chromatography A 1011 (1–2): 173–80. doi:10.1016/S0021-9673(03)01133-6.PMID 14518774.

[2] Weiss, DJ; Anderton, CR (2003). “Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetic chromatography”. Journal of chromatography. A 1011(1–2): 173–80. doi:10.1016/S0021-9673(03)01133-6. PMID 14518774.

[3] The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Kao et al. (2000), URL: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/72/5/1232.short

[4] Kimura, Kenta; Ozeki, Makoto; Juneja, Lekh Raj; Ohira, Hideki (2007). “L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses”. Biological Psychology 74 (1): 39–45. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.006.PMID 16930802.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Drummond
For Simple Ways To Live A Healthy Life, Visit: www.organichealth.co.za