Matcha Green Tea Benefits
by Hannah Colley
Matcha powder and other green tea products are often called “superfoods” – nutritional powerhouses that are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other natural health boosters.
Drinking matcha is associated with enhanced mental function, disease protection, weight loss, and anxiety relief – but how can one green drink possibly provide all of these health benefits?
It’s easier to understand the powerful matcha green tea benefits when you break it down into its various compounds. Discover the ingredients that you’ll find in matcha powder and other green tea products, and learn the science behind their benefits to your long-term health.
Catechins
Catechins are phenols, aromatic organic compounds that provide green tea with its unmistakable flavor. Catechins are also natural antioxidants, with strong antibacterial qualities as well. These phytochemicals offer a fine balance of what you need to stay healthy and battle off the bad stuff.
Caffeine
Matcha tea powder contains caffeine, a stimulant that you are likely quite familiar with. Naturally found in teas, coffee, chocolate and other foods, caffeine helps improve alertness, reduce anxiety and decrease stress.
Vitamins
Most green tea products feature a variety of vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, C and E. Some also contain vitamin B6, a nutrient that improves metabolism, digestion, oxidation, immune system function, and cell repair (aka anti-aging). These vitamins are crucial components for a healthy functioning system, and consuming green tea products is an easy, enjoyable way to get them.
Theanine
Theanine (also called L-theanine) is an incredibly powerful amino acid, which provides you with the same benefits of caffeine – without the crash that follows. Higher quality matcha powders and green teas contain higher levels of theanine.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll gives green tea, and all other green plants, their verdant green color. It’s a biomolecule that is essential for the process of photosynthesis, or the conversion of light to energy. Chlorophyll is loaded with antioxidants that can help improve your general health, and strengthen your immune system.
Fluorine
Fluorine is a naturally occurring element. Remember the periodic table from high school science class? Fluorine is situated at atomic number nine on the chart. It’s important for healthy kidney function, and green tea products provide more fluorine than any other drink in the world.
Alkaline
Green tea is also an alkaline food, which helps to balance your pH levels and allows your body to absorb more calcium, potassium, zinc and nickel.