Matcha tea is a very beneficial drink for the human organism, since it contains chemical and nutritional properties superior to other types of tea.
In the following article, we give you all the information about the properties and health benefits of matcha tea and also how to prepare it.
What is matcha tea?
Matcha tea is a type of tea that comes from China, which is used in Japan as a popular drink. It is made with the leaves of camellia sinensis ( green tea plant ), but its preparation goes through a refining process until it becomes matcha.
Fun fact: The word matcha literally means powdered green tea , and it is the powder that comes from pulverizing the tea leaves, not the leaves of the tea plant.
In this sense, drinking matcha tea provides an appreciable amount of nutrients and has great antioxidant properties.
Note: The main particularity in the preparation of this powdered tea is that weeks before its collection, the plant is protected from direct sunlight during the previous weeks, producing certain modifications in its chemical composition, increasing the amount of amino acids. and chlorophyll from its leaves and favoring the concentration of aromas.
What are the health benefits of matcha tea?
Matcha green tea, thanks to its components, provides great therapeutic benefits to the human body. Here we mention the most relevant:
1. Boosts the immune system
Matcha green tea has important polyphenols such as catechins , powerful antioxidants of plant origin, which help prevent oxidative damage, avoiding free radical damage to cells, and thereby prevents their aging .
In this sense, the human organism through its defense mechanisms creates free radicals in order to combat pathogenic microorganisms that can cause diseases.
When these molecules are produced in excess, they cause damage to healthy cells, promoting their premature aging and that is where the catechins in green tea intervene, eliminating this excess of free radicals and protecting healthy cells.
To highlight: Matcha green tea contains several micronutrients with antioxidant action , which also boost the immune system to combat premature cellular aging.
2. Helps control hypertension
Another of the benefits of matcha green tea is that it contains chlorophyll , a pigment with important micronutrients that perform an antioxidant function in addition to the intervention of catechins.
This pigment acts as a vasodilator of veins and arteries , favoring the flow of blood through the circulatory system. (1)
In this sense, some studies establish that antioxidants have a decisive intervention in the balance of this disease. (two)
Important: If you are taking medication to control high blood pressure, it is advisable to consult your doctor before consuming matcha green tea.
3. Lowers blood sugar
Thanks to its antioxidant content, matcha green tea manages to reduce resistance to the hormone insulin, a disorder that is more frequently observed in type 2 diabetics.
In addition, it is known that as fat cells grow, they secrete a substance that makes the body’s cells resistant to insulin, so the body increases blood sugar levels . (3)
Note: Matcha tea helps reduce those adipose cells with its antioxidant power.
4. Lowers cholesterol
Matcha tea and its high concentration of catechins help reduce the absorption of cholesterol through the intestines.
Various studies indicate that the consumption of antioxidants, such as the catechins present in green tea, help to inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol. (4)
To highlight: It has also been associated, although the mechanism is unknown, that the consumption of green tea produces hypocholesterolemia. (5)
5. Fight free radicals
As we have previously mentioned, the main virtue of matcha tea is its significant content of antioxidant compounds.
These antioxidant compounds in matcha tea prevent cell damage caused by the oxidative process, which prematurely ages organ tissues.
6. Stimulates intestinal transit
The dietary fiber content of matcha tea is estimated to be approximately 34g per 100g edible serving. This favors the transit of food through the intestines.
Note: It has also been associated with an astringent property, and depending on the amount consumed, it can become a drink with a mild laxative effect.
7. Eliminate fluid retention
It has been described that matcha tea encourages kidney function, preventing fluid retention in the body.
Additionally, matcha tea contains caffeine, an alkaloid compound whose diuretic effect has been proven, helping to eliminate excess fluid in the body. (6)
8. Contributes to weight loss
Thanks to the regulation of cholesterol and the promotion of kidney function, matcha tea is an ideal ally for people in periods of weight loss.
Therefore, the periodic consumption of a cup of matcha tea throughout the day favors the loss of adipose tissue, in addition to being a thermogenic food, it stimulates metabolism and helps burn body fat.
Important: The intake of matcha tea should be avoided in those with heart disease, kidney disease or stomach ulcers, as well as in pregnant or lactating women.
9. Increases physical energy
Another of the benefits of matcha tea is that it has the property of improving the body’s energy , through the combination of L-theanine and caffeine that help give vitality to the body as well as favoring mental concentration.
Tip: A cup of matcha tea on an empty stomach will help you get the necessary energy to face your daily activities.
10. Improves skin and nail health
Another of the beneficial properties of matcha tea is that thanks to the fact that it prevents premature aging of cells , especially the skin, thanks to vitamin C, chlorophyll and catechins, it helps to provide greater health to the skin. .
It has also been described that the vitamins present in matcha tea help in the preservation and production of collagen, an important protein for hair and nails.
11. Helps reduce stress
Matcha tea has L theanine, a non-essential amino acid in the body , but which plays an important role in the brain.
L theanine favors the production of dopamine and serotonin, on the other hand it also neutralizes the action of L-glutamic acid and thereby reduces stress and helps to relax.
Note: The amino acid L theanine has been described as stimulating Alpha waves in the brain, helping with concentration, and inducing a state of calm and relaxation.
12. Prevents cancer
Matcha green tea has a type of polyphenols that prevent the reproduction of certain types of cancer cells, thanks to the fact that it eliminates free radicals that cause cell damage and with it, the appearance of cancer.
What does matcha tea contain?
Matcha tea has interesting chemical and nutritional compounds that give it interesting medicinal properties that we describe below:
1. Vitamins
Matcha tea has beneficial vitamins such as: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, and vitamin B9 or folic acid.
2. Minerals
Matcha tea also has important minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and is additionally rich in chlorophyll.
3. Antioxidants
Matcha tea is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant that helps fight cell degenerative processes.
How to prepare and consume matcha tea?
Here is a simple way to prepare and consume matcha tea at home:
Ingredients
- powdered matcha tea
- Skim or vegetable milk
- Water
Preparation
- In a cup, place hot water that is not boiling and pour the contents of a teaspoon and a half of matcha tea.
- Then you beat the mixture until the matcha dissolves.
- Then heat the milk without letting it boil and add it little by little to the tea with water.
- And finally you add the sugar to taste.
Key Findings
- Matcha tea is a drink with a high concentration of antioxidants.
- Helps in the prevention against cancer.
- Matcha green tea is a therapeutic aid of natural medicine, which helps in the prevention of various common pathologies.
- Care must be taken in its consumption , since it is not recommended for certain people with special conditions.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.