With its photo-worthy green hue and buzzy caffeine content, matcha is the trendy tea that’s popping up on your favorite coffee shop menu. Many claim that the vibrant green tea is not only pretty to look at, but it’s also really good for you. Matcha enthusiasts call it a superfood that can reduce stress, boost metabolism and prevent cancer, but are these claims actually true?
Learn more about the green tea that is becoming a latte staple, including whether or not it’s really good for you and if it’s OK to drink it everyday.Â
What is matcha?
Matcha is a Japanese green tea that has a unique growing process. The matcha leaf grows primarily in the shade, which increases chlorophyll production and creates a bright green color. Matcha naturally contains caffeine, and it has an earthy grassy flavor. Unlike other varieties of tea, matcha leaves are steamed and ground into a powder.
Making a cup of matcha tea is more work than simply steeping a tea bag. First, you pour boiling water over the green matcha powder. Next, whisk vigorously until the powder is absorbed into the liquid. In most coffee shops, matcha is served with steamed milk as a matcha latte.Â
Health benefits of matcha
Matcha is rich in antioxidants, primarily vitamins C and E as well as polyphenols. It has a considerable amount of catechins, a type of plant compound with health benefits. There are four types of catechins in matcha, but a plant compound called EGCG is the most abundant and notable one. There is research linking EGCG to cancer protection, heart health and possibly even blood sugar control.
Specifically, research in the Japanese population suggests there is a link between drinking more than 120 milliliters (4 ounces) of green tea and a decreased risk of gallbladder and bile duct cancer. Other research in animals demonstrates that green tea consumption may increase cancer cell death and may inhibit tumor formation, but more human research is needed.
The antioxidants in green tea have also been…
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