Matcha has gained increasing popularity today. Matcha teas, lattes, shots, and even desserts can be found everywhere, whether that be in coffee shops or health stores.

Matcha and green tea both come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis plant. However, matcha has a unique nutrient profile since it is grown differently: their tea plants are covered 20–30 days before harvest to avoid direct sunlight.

This gives the plant a darker hue, increases its amino acid content, and boosts chlorophyll production.

The tea leaves are then harvested and ground into a fine powder known as matcha.  Containing all the nutrients from the entire tea leaf, matcha has more caffeine and antioxidant contents than green tea.

Studies have shown that matcha can aid in weight loss, promote heart health, and help protect the liver.  Here are 8 interesting matcha benefits

8 Interesting Matcha Benefits

1. Matcha Benefits: It is loaded with antioxidants

Matcha is jam-packed with catechins, which are natural antioxidants that help reduce the formation of harmful free radicals in the body, preventing cell and molecule damage.

Matcha tea tends to carry more catechins and antioxidants than green tea.  In fact, the amount of catechins in matcha is estimated to be 137 times higher than that in green tea.

Giving mice matcha supplements has been shown in one study to enhance antioxidant activity and reduce cell damage caused by free radicals.

Incorporating matcha in your diet may help boost your antioxidant intake, which may be beneficial for your overall health.

2. Matcha Benefits: It can aid in weight loss

Known for its weight loss-promoting ability, green tea is a typical ingredient in any weight loss supplement.

It has been shown in several studies to help speed up metabolism to rev up energy expenditure and fat burning.

For instance, taking green tea extract during moderate exercise has been shown in one small study to increase fat burning by 17%.

In addition, taking a supplement containing green tea extract has also been found in another study in 14 people to significantly increase 24-hour energy expenditure.

What’s more, green tea has also been shown in a review of 11 studies to help reduce body weight and keep it off.

Although these are mainly green tea extract studies, matcha comes from the same plant and should produce similar results.

3. Matcha Benefits: May promote heart health

Heart disease accounts for about one-third of all deaths in people over 35 years worldwide.

Drinking green tea, which also comes from the Camellia sinensis plant like matcha, has been shown in some studies to potentially help protect against heart disease.

It has been found to reduce triglyceride and total and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which may in turn help protect against heart health.

Drinking green tea has been shown in observational studies to be associated with reduced heart disease and stroke risks.

Thus, drinking matcha tea, combined with healthy eating and regular exercise, may help keep your heart healthy and protect against other diseases.

4. Matcha Benefits: May help protect the liver

Located on the right side of your abdomen under your rib cage, the liver is a very vital organ that is responsible for processing nutrients, flushing out toxins, and metabolizing drugs.

Matcha has been found in some studies to help promote liver health.

In fact, diabetic rats that consumed matcha for 16 weeks have been found in one study to help prevent liver and kidney damage.

Moreover, drinking green tea has been found in an analysis of 15 studies to be associated with reduced liver disease risk.  It is however important to note that there might also be other causes for this association.

Since most studies examining the effects of green tea extract in animals is limited, further research is necessary before making any recommendation.

5. Matcha Benefits: May help prevent cancer

Matcha is rich in health-promoting compounds, such as those that have been shown in test tube and animal studies to help prevent cancer.

Green tea extract has been shown in one study in rats to reduce tumor size and slow breast cancer cell growth.

Matcha, on the other hand, is particularly loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a type of catechin that has been proven to have potent anti-cancer properties.

In addition, the EGCG in matcha has also been found in one test-tube study to help fight against prostate cancer cells. It has also been shown in other test-tube studies to be effective against liver, lung, and skin cancer.

Further human studies are however necessary to determine whether these results also translate to humans.

6. Matcha Benefits: May help boost brain function

Interestingly, several components in matcha have been shown in research to help enhance brain function.

For instance, people who consumed matcha tea have been found in one study in 23 people to experience improvements in reaction time, attention, and memory, as compared to the placebo.

Also, consuming 2 grams of green tea powder daily for 2 months has been shown in another small study to help enhance brain function in older people.

How much caffeine in matcha? A 1-gram matcha powder contains 35 mg of caffeine, which has been shown in multiple studies to be linked to improvements in brain function. Caffeine intake may lead to enhanced memory, increased attention, and faster reaction times.

L-theanine is another compound that can be found in matcha. It may alter the effects of caffeine and may also increase alpha wave activity in the brain, which may lead to reduced stress levels and better relaxation.

7. Matcha Benefits: It helps boost energy

Considering the significant dosage of caffeine in matcha, it may also help boost energy levels. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, which can undoubtedly help increase alertness and make you feel more energized.

8. Matcha Benefits: It is very easy to prepare

Preparing matcha tea is very simple.

You can simply drop 1–2 teaspoons of matcha powder into your cup and add 2 oz of water, then stir. That’s it! Plus, you can adjust the matcha powder to water ratio depending on your preferred consistency.

Make sure to consume matcha tea in moderation and choose certified organic varieties. You may want to avoid any side effects that may come with excess matcha intake.

The Takeaway

Both matcha and green tea come from the same plant - the Camellia sinensis plant, but since the former is grown differently, it carries a more concentrated amount of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds than the latter.

Several studies have revealed various health benefits that may come with consuming matcha, and these include weight loss, improved brain function, and reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.

What’s more, preparing matcha tea is very simple, and you can effortlessly incorporate it into your diet.