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Matcha Green Tea
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea is prolific in several Asian countries, and its consumption goes back nearly 4000 years. There is even evidence suggesting it was the first herbal beverage.
Matcha green tea is a bit different from normal green tea. First, the tea plants are covered with shade cloths the last few weeks prior to harvesting. This slows the growth, and stimulates an increase in chlorophyll and amino acid production. Second, the tea buds are hand-picked, and the stems and veins are usually removed.
And third, with matcha green tea, you’re consuming everything, rather than simply steeping and discarding the tea leaves. And for those accustomed to more caffeinated beverages like coffee, you’ll be happy to know that matcha green tea contains around three times the caffeine as normal green tea.
Another substance you get more of with matcha green tea (compared to normal green tea) is the amino acid L-theanine. Studies show that when this amino acid is combined with caffeine, levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA increase in the brain, which leads to improved cognitive function, a boost in mood, and a reduction in mental and physical stress.
Matcha Green Tea Benefits
You can tell just by looking at the intense color of matcha green tea that it has significantly greater benefits than normal green tea, especially the typical store bought packets most of us know as green tea. And what exactly is responsible for that deep color? A little something called chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants and nearly identical to the molecular structure of our hemoglobin. Besides being a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier, it helps the body process more oxygen, aids in the growth and repair of tissues and cells, and alkalizes the body, all of which greatly improve our chances of preventing and treating disease.
Chlorophyll’s role in benefiting health cannot be overstated, and it’s the oxygen component that is most beneficial. Healthy cells equal a healthy body. And cells with more oxygen are healthier. While cells with less oxygen decay and die, or even worse, mutate.
In terms of pH, anything that alkalizes the body is beneficial. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Our ideal pH is around 7.4, so slightly alkaline. However, most of us find ourselves on the wrong side of 7, which is to say way too acidic. The problems with this are numerous and include digestive disorders, heart disease, poor immune function, and respiratory problems where oxygen transport is limited.
So by consuming matcha green tea, you get loads of health promoting chlorophyll, and you balance your pH levels. Both of which aid in providing oxygen to tissues and cells. Both of which are responsible for creating an environment where disease is far less likely to occur. It has even been surmised that cancer cannot live in an alkaline, oxygen rich environment.[59] How’s that for beneficial?
There are numerous benefits of consuming matcha green tea, which include …
- Lower blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Stress reduction
- Normalization of cholesterol
- Stronger immune system
- Detoxification
- Metabolism stimulation
- Increase in energy and stamina
- Improved mood
- Anti-cancer effects
- Cardiovascular benefits
- High levels of antioxidants
- Improved cognitive function
Matcha green tea contains numerous other antioxidants besides chlorophyll. Polyphenol compounds called catechins are prolific in green tea in general, but even more so in matcha. And the most abundant of all the catechins is epigallocatechin gallate, which is all but impossible to pronounce without sounding drunk.
However, it is extremely beneficial, and responsible for around 60% of the catechin content in matcha green tea. EGCG, as it’s also thankfully known, is a potent cancer fighter, and one that has been studied relentlessly over the years.
This very recent 2015 study found that the EGCG in green tea induced cancer cell death in bile duct cancer cell lines.[60] This powerful catechin significantly reduced the number of cancer cells, and showed a variety of other anti-cancer effects.
In some studies, matcha was shown to possess 100 times more EGCGs than other kinds of tea. But that’s just one of many antioxidants in this special type of green tea. ORAC testing has shown that matcha green tea contains 60 times the antioxidants found in spinach, and 7 times the antioxidants found in raw cacao, another powerful superfood I’ve included in this book.
The amino acid L-theanine, briefly mentioned above, has antioxidant properties as well. It can also improve memory and concentration, induce relaxation, and increase alpha wave activity in the brain. And for some reason, it has a potent synergistic effect when combined with caffeine.
This 2008 study examined the combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance.[61] Patients were divided into two groups – one getting caffeine only, and the other getting caffeine and L-theanine. Those receiving both showed more improved speed, accuracy, and memory when completing assigned tasks, and reduced levels of distraction.
Another study involving 91 subjects age 47 to 67 with mild cognitive impairment discovered similar results.[62] The treatment group received a combination of green tea extract and L-theanine for 16 weeks. The results, compared to the placebo group, were an improvement in memory, attention, and an increase in theta brain waves.
Matcha green tea can also benefit your physical appearance, by stimulating metabolism, burning stored body fat, and promoting more fat burning during exercise. All without an uncomfortable and dangerous increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
This 2013 study looked at the effects of green tea consumption and resistance training on body composition.[63] Subjects were divided into four groups: Group 1 consumed green tea, Group 2 consumed a placebo, Group 3 consumed green tea plus resistance training, and Group 4 consumed a placebo plus resistance training. And the results?
Group 2 showed no changes. Group 1 showed pretty good improvements. As did Group 4. However, Group 3 (the green tea plus resistance training group) showed significant improvements in weight loss, body mass index, muscle strength, and waist circumference. Which leaves me with an important point to make …
Superfoods are not magic pills. Beneficial, yes! But not miracle workers on their own. Optimal health is about ALL your diet choices, along with strenuous exercise, a reduction in stress, and minimizing environmental toxins. It’s a four-pronged approach.
Matcha Green Tea Uses
Since matcha green tea is a fine powder, you can use it in all sort of recipes. Check out this Pinterest page for numerous matcha green tea recipes. You’ll find a wild assortment, including matcha green tea popsicles, smoothies, lattes, ice cream, frappuccino, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and even matcha green tea pudding.
For a super simple matcha green tea latte recipe, check out this video by Namiko Chen. And remember that matcha contains about the same amount of caffeine as coffee, so it works nicely as a substitute. Though I really love my morning coffee, and couldn’t dream of any worthy substitutes. If only coffee was a superfood.
I just started drinking green tea again, after really getting burned out on it after living in East Asia for years. And the reason I’m back on the bandwagon, is all the health benefits of matcha you read about above. My source is Body Ecology, who I also use for fermented products and culture starters. And if you’re not eating fermented foods, you really should be.