Introduction
Matcha is a unique Japanese green tea powder meticulously crafted from finely dried tea leaves, renowned for its strikingly vibrant green hue and subtle, pleasantly bitter taste. This vibrant green color owes its brilliance to the tea's elevated chlorophyll content. An integral part of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, Matcha tea has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. Nutritionists attribute its wellness properties to its exceptional antioxidant potency.
Why Matcha Tea Is A Promising Health Drink?
Matcha tea has been an extremely popular drink over the last few decades. Along with Matcha teas, lattes, and currently even matcha-flavored desserts making their way into coffee shops or stores. Though more research is needed to investigate the health benefits of matcha, preliminary research does indicate that it can be capable of boosting brain functions and possibly even preventing certain cancers.
What Makes the Nutrition of Matcha Tea Unique?
Matcha tea is derived from the same Camellia sinensis plant family as green tea. It has a distinct nutritional profile due to its unique cultivation process. Before harvest, matcha farmers employ an ingenious technique, covering the tea plants for a span of 20 to 30 days, protecting them from direct sunlight and excess heat. This meticulous approach stimulates the production of crucial amino acids, which, in turn, contribute to matcha's impressive macronutrient content and rich protein profile. This practice also imparts a slightly deeper green hue to the leaves compared to their unsheltered counterparts. Post-harvest, both stems and leaves undergo a meticulous grinding process, resulting in the finely powdered form of matcha available commercially. It is to be noted that matcha tea delivers a higher caffeine punch and a greater concentration of antioxidants when compared to traditional green tea, making it a truly distinctive nutritional powerhouse.
What Is the Nutritional Content of Matcha Tea?
The nutrition information enlisted for approximately two teaspoons of powdered matcha green tea as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is given below as follows:
Carbohydrates: 0.105822 ounces
Fiber: 0.035274 ounces
Total Calories: 10 kilocalories
Matcha tea, when prepared solely with water, typically contains zero fat. If looking for a commercially available matcha latte, often crafted with milk, the fat content and composition of the beverage naturally increase.
In its pure form, matcha offers no protein per serving. If blending matcha with milk, introduces a protein component to the drink.
While matcha tea is not a substantial source of micronutrients, nutrition experts often recommend enhancing its nutritional value by adding a scoop of greens powder and enriching it with essential vitamins.
It is important to note that the caloric, carbohydrate, and fat content of the matcha tea can vary based on the chosen preparation method. A matcha latte will contain fat and carbohydrates due to the addition of milk and sugars to the blend.
What Are the Promising Health Benefits of Consuming Matcha Tea?
Immunity Enhancement:
Current nutritional research highlights Matcha's richness in catechin compounds. It is a potent antioxidant known for bolstering cellular health and immunity. Compared to green tea, Matcha boasts an astonishing 137 times more catechins, making it an antioxidant powerhouse.
Anti-Cancer Potential:
Matcha stands out for its high content of specific catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), renowned in nutritional studies for its potential anti-cancer properties. studies have demonstrated EGCG's effectiveness in reducing skin, liver, and lung cancers. But, more extensive research on human models is essential to establish these compounds' systemic health effects and anti-cancer benefits.
Heart Health:
Emerging research suggests that Matcha consumption could be cardioprotective and reduce the risk of heart disease. Preliminary studies indicate a positive impact on cholesterol levels, reducing total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglyceride levels. Here matcha is a beneficial addition to global heart-healthy diets.
Liver Support:
Nutritional research underscores Matcha's role in maintaining liver health, a vital organ responsible for detoxification and drug metabolism. Consumption of matcha has been associated with decreased enzyme markers indicating liver damage in preliminary studies. A notable study involving 80 individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrated significant reductions in liver damage markers after 12 weeks of Matcha extract consumption, holding promise for liver health.
Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Benefits:
Nutrition experts suggest that Matcha may have a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on irritated skin or membranes. Early research indicates that tannin compounds in matcha might help regulate sebum production, benefiting individuals with oily skin.
While these findings are promising, further research, particularly in human trials, is necessary to fully validate these health benefits associated with Matcha.
What Are the Allergies and Contraindications Associated with Matcha Tea?
While enjoying matcha tea, latte, or desserts, individuals need to be aware of potential allergies. If experience any matcha-related allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, swelling, inflammation, or itching, it's essential to consult with a physician for guidance.
Individuals who are taking stimulant medications, often prescribed for conditions like ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), should exercise caution with matcha due to its caffeine content. Combining caffeine from matcha with stimulant medications can lead to unwanted side effects or interactions.
Matcha may interact with certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as atorvastatin, potentially reducing their efficacy in the body. In people with any medication allergy, it is advisable to consult with the healthcare provider to ensure there are no contraindications between matcha and the specific medications.
What Are the Varieties of Matcha?
When it comes to matcha varieties, ceremonial grade matcha is best enjoyed on its own by whisking it with a sifter into 175-degree water. If aiming to incorporate matcha into lattes, smoothies, desserts, or other culinary creations, culinary-grade matcha is the preferred choice due to its flavor profile and versatility.
After purchasing and opening a packet of matcha, the key to preserving its freshness is storing it in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. When stored this way, matcha can maintain its quality for several months until it is time to use it.
Conclusion
When compared to caffeinated beverages and even traditional green tea, matcha tea or lattes are known for their higher antioxidant potential, courtesy of their rich catechin compounds. Beyond antioxidants, matcha offers cardioprotective and hepatoprotective benefits, making it a valuable addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle. By incorporating matcha into a balanced diet and regular exercise routine, individuals can certainly pave the way to better heart health.
