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Made from the powdered leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, matcha is a form of green tea. Originally served during Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha tea is currently widely accessible and utilised in both cookery and the food business.
Matcha is grown differently from green tea, but it comes from the same plant, therefore it has a different nutrient profile. For most of the growing season, the plants are covered with bamboo mats, which raises the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves and gives them their distinctive bright green colour.
The leaves, which are the youngest and freshest part of the plant, are dried with a specialised tencha-ro machine after being steam-steamed to retain their colour and nutrition. The remaining "tencha" is stripped of its stems and veins, and its leaves are pulverised into a fine powder.
Here are 10 health benefits of Matcha Tea
1. Anti-Aging Properties
Matcha is essentially just a type of green tea, so its health advantages are largely similar. The longest lifespans have been reported in Okinawa, Japan. Regular drinking of Japanese Matcha Green Tea has been partly credited with the long life of the Okinawan people. The most popular green tea in Japan is matcha, but due to its remarkable anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is quickly becoming more and more well-liked worldwide.
2. Strong Anti-Cancer Properties
Massive amounts of catechins, a particularly advantageous class of powerful antioxidants that scavenge harmful free radicals in the body, are present in matcha. Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is the most potent catechin in matcha and is thought to have strong anti-carcinogenic properties. It has been demonstrated that a single cup of Matcha green tea contains over 137 times the quantity of the antioxidant EGCG than a typical cup of green tea!
3. Increases Immunity
According to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, consuming matcha tea every day significantly improved the immune system's overall response. Matcha's extraordinarily high antioxidant content manifests as flavonoids, polyphenols, and catechins, all of which support the body's defence against free radicals, which are a byproduct of pollution in your food, air, and water. Practically speaking, this can equate to fewer colds and fewer days missed from work due to illness.
4. Improves Cholesterol
Research conducted on various populations has demonstrated that individuals who regularly consume Matcha Green Tea exhibit reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly referred to as the bad cholesterol, and elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as the good cholesterol. And a lower risk of stroke and blood pressure were linked to this. Isn't that wonderful news now?
5. Encourages Focus
Compared to ordinary green tea, matcha green tea has up to five times the amount of L-theanine. The hallucinogenic amino acid L-theanine can induce alpha-wave activity in the brain. Although Matcha includes some caffeine, the "edgy" effects of caffeine are offset by the calming effects of L-theanine. As a result, drinking a cup of Matcha green tea helps focus and maintain mental clarity without giving off any of the jittery energy associated with coffee.
6. Combats Fatigue
A potent ally in the battle against exhaustion is matcha. Small doses of caffeine combined with naturally existing amino acids tend to provide an immediate energy increase. A cup of matcha tea usually has stimulant effects that continue for at least two hours, but sometimes they linger up to six hours.
7. Improves Blood Sugar
Matcha is perfect for diabetics because it helps to stabilise blood sugar levels. It seems that hypoglycemic activity and antioxidant activity are directly related. The naturally occurring sugars in matcha, known as polysaccharides, contribute to blood sugar stabilisation by preventing insulin spikes.
8. Helps With Weight Loss
The advantages of matcha tea extend to aiding with weight loss. High levels of EGCG, which have been demonstrated to speed up the body's process of burning fat stores for energy and slow down the growth of new fat cells, are present in matcha. According to supplementary research, the catechins in Matcha green tea powder provide an extra boost to the body's daily calorie-burning rate as well as an advantage for burning fat when exercising.
9. Enhances Probiotic
Massive amounts of polyphenols, which are present in the tea plant naturally and are thought to be responsible for some of the health benefits associated with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, may be found in matcha. The gut microbes convert these polyphenols into beneficial compounds called polyphenol-derived metabolites. Put simply, it promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms while suppressing harmful ones.
10. Gives you Better Breath
Actually helps you breathe better! This isn't even created. Matcha's catechin blast functions as a sort of steriliser. After a meal, a cup of matcha green tea slows the growth of bacteria that cause halitosis, or foul breath, and periodontal disease. Additionally, it shields the tooth enamel. Dentists adore matcha.
Matcha, formerly thought to be an unusual beverage essential to Japanese tea rituals, is now widely available at coffee shops and cafés worldwide. However, matcha's vivid green colour isn't simply eye candy for social media accounts. Older Americans' health may also benefit from this green supplement.
