Compiled & Medically reviewed by
Dr.Sanjana.V.B. Bhms. Dbrm.Cdn

 Matcha tea & health benefits

           It’s a type of green tea that’s been used in China and Japan for hundreds of years. The leaves are made into a powder and the matcha tea is much stronger than regular tea. Why should you include this tea in your routine? Why this tea is so potent to regulate many of your health risk factors? Does the tea improve your thinking, impaired memory & creative imagination? What does the science state about its composition and potentials? Let us go through a few evidence based reports on matcha tea.

Japanese matcha is a type of powdered green tea, grown in a traditional way. Shading of the plants during the growth period enhances the processes of synthesis and accumulation of its biologically active compounds, theanine, caffeine, chlorophyll and various types of catechins.

This green tea contains four main catechins

·        epicatechin (EC)

·        epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG)

·        epigallocatechin (EGC)

·        epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)

How does matcha tea help to prevent cardiovascular diseases like heart attack & stroke?

Among all catechins epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is the most active and abundant and matcha is their best condensed source. It helps in preventing many non-communicable diseases like heart attacks, stroke by reducing LDL bad cholesterol and improves cognitive function, memory, thinking capacity etc[2].

 Regular consumption of matcha tea has a positive effect on both physical and mental health.

It contains natural antioxidants such as polyphenols. High polyphenolic content has a greater potential for scavenging free radicals than vitamin C as an antioxidant has.

The antioxidant catechins EGCG may have a protective effect on the heart muscle as it reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory states.

 Caffeine is an essential component of tea beverages and is responsible for their distinctive and desirable taste.  It is a powerful antioxidant also. Its level may be associated with the time of harvest and age of leaves—the older the leaves, the lower the caffeine content. Caffeine content also depends on tea variety, weather conditions during vegetation, as well as the brewing method.

DO catechins of matcha tea help in regulating blood glucose levels?

The catechins and other polyphenols of matcha tea have some action on carbohydrate metabolism and help in reducing blood glucose levels. Its EGCG content may inhibit starch digestion also, thus slow down the sudden release of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract [ 3 ].

 EGCG may present capacity for inhibiting gluconeogenesis in liver and the absorption of lipids and glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improving insulin sensitivity .Altogether, matcha tea helps to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes patients and maintains the glucose level within limits of normalcy in people with normal or borderline blood sugar levels.

Do catechins of matcha green tea help to improve your memory and cognitive functions of brain?

Catechins help to increase clarity of mind and cognitive function. These health benefits are attributed mainly to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG ][4].

Oxidative stress occuring from various sources can cause neuronal damage& may lead to memory impairment gradually. Caffeine supplementation, with its anti-inflammatory effects, chiefly in the hippocampus, may prevent the development of this disorder.

The positive effects of caffeine on the nervous system and preventing neurodegenerative diseases are closely related to the decreased deposition of amyloid-β in the brain [5]

Anticarcinogenic effects of matcha tea

Research findings regarding EGCG supplementation also include inhibition of growth and proliferation of gallbladder and bile duct cancer cells, as well as a decreased risk of biliary duct cancer[6,7].

Consuming large amounts of EGCG may contribute to reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer, partly due to inhibiting tumour growth factors. What is more, EGCG is capable of inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.[8]

How does matcha tea protect your nervous system and heart from oxidative damage by free radicals?

Rutin is a polyphenolic compound in matcha tea, which is a potent antioxidant.

Rutin prevents the oxidative stress and inflammations consequent to it. Chronic inflammation is one of the root causes of many diseases. Similarly free radicals are the major cause many degenerative diseases of organs of your body.

Rutin helps preventing conditions of free-radical or inflammatory origin, including neurodegenerative conditions due to its antioxidant potential[10].

Quercetin is a phytochemical with antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. It prevents damages to your nervous system[9].

Antidiabetic potential of quercetin& its efficacy in diabetic human subjects is yet to be explored.

Infusions of matcha tea contain from 32.12 to 44.8 mg/L of vitamin C, depending on the temperature of water used to prepare the infusion and the type of tea. Remember that vitamin C is heat sensitive. Hence excessive heating may lose its vitamin C content.

The relatively high theanine content in matcha tea is responsible for its unique non- bitter taste, and the combination of l-theanine and caffeine may enhance concentration, vigilance and efficiency to a great extent .These compounds also help in alleviating stress.

How to prepare Matcha tea?

Making matcha in a cup

STEP 1: Heat filtered water

STEP 2: Add a few drops of hot water to matcha powder and mix into paste with a spoon

STEP 3: Add more hot water to paste mixture and stir. Try 1 teaspoon to 6 ounces of water. Adjust measurement to suit taste.

STEP 4: Matcha is ready to drink

Medically reviewed by Dr.Sanjana.V.B BHMS DBRM cdn

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References[research studies]

1.     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796401/#B27-molecules-26-00085

2.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21633901/

3.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31378691/

4.      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31462168/

5.      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17679672/

6.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24038588/

7.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26530716/

8.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18990744/

9.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27633685/

10.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26898570/

11.   https://matchasource.com/how-to-prepare-matcha-green-tea/