Matcha tea is a popular ingredient with multiple health benefits. Matcha green tea mimics green tea benefits, while chamomile tea benefits weight loss.

Matcha tea : Magical or Mythical?

Matcha Tea - Magical Or Mythical?

Introduction

Legend has it that in the 9th century, an Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi noticed his goats acting a little too excited after eating red berries from a tree<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. The goats became so energized that they could not even sleep that night. Curious, Kaldi decided to collect the berries and take them to a monastery nearby. The monks, apprehensive of this strange discovery, immediately threw them into the fire. However, the aroma of the roasted beans was so strong and pleasant that they quickly recovered the beans. They then crushed and brewed them to make the world&rsquo;s first brewed coffee.&nbsp;

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By the 15th century, coffee was widely used across Arabia for its ability to help people stay awake. Its effects were so largely sought that soon coffee beans and plants began to be smuggled out of Yemen to as far as Europe. Today, people across the world heavily rely on the aromatic liquid for its various beneficial properties, to the extent that it has now become the most popular beverage worldwide with more than 2 billion cups consumed every day<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.

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However, coffee consumption has been linked to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. Thus, it&#39;s no surprise that people have begun searching for &lsquo;healthier&rsquo; alternatives to coffee. In recent years, the word matcha has become widely popular among celebrities, Instagram influencers, and even the common man. Its health benefits have made many ditch black coffee and stick to the green liquid. But, what even is matcha? And is it really as magical as it sounds or is it just another mythical find? 
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Understanding the Effects of Matcha Tea

Originating from Japan, matcha green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike green tea, it&rsquo;s cultivated differently using a shading technique to increase the leaves&rsquo; chlorophyll and amino acid levels<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. Moreover, it is not prepared by steeping the leaves in hot water, as is expected for black or green tea. Rather, matcha is prepared by whisking its powdered form with water.&nbsp; 
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Matcha tea has shown to contain high levels of antioxidants and caffeine compared to all other types of tea<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. Therefore, researchers believe that its high antioxidant potential makes it a good candidate for the treatment of diseases characterized by oxidative stress.&nbsp;

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Furthermore, matcha&rsquo;s high levels of catechins and caffeine are known to affect an individual&rsquo;s metabolic and physiological health. A 2017 study assessed the effect of matcha tea on fat oxidation in females during brisk walking<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. The beverage was seen to enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation in females. Thus, potentially aiding weight loss.

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A study conducted on daily matcha green tea consumption found it to improve cognition among female subjects<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. This is likely due to the high content of catechins and vitamins C and K in the leaves. The results suggested daily matcha tea supplementation to be beneficial for elderly women facing cognitive decline.

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Besides, animal studies have shown matcha to lower blood glucose and liver cholesterol levels<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>. It not only protects against hepatic and renal damage, but also helps prevent liver damage in people with fatty liver disease.&nbsp; 
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Both matcha and coffee have a bitter taste. However, matcha is described to have more earthy tones, while coffee&rsquo;s notes range from nutty to chocolate like depending on the roast.&nbsp;

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Although matcha contains a high caffeine content, it also contains polyphenols that slow down the release of caffeine. Thus, drinking matcha would give the same energizing effect as coffee, minus the palpitations and jitteriness. However, this results in a slower energy kick. Comparatively, coffee provides instant relief from fatigue and sleepiness, with blood caffeine concentration reaching peak levels within 15 minutes of consumption<a href="#accordion">[8]</a>.

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Similar to matcha, coffee evidently has several health benefits, such as preventing type 2 diabetes and liver disease, and improving cardiovascular health<a href="#accordion">[9]</a>.&nbsp; 
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Conclusion

Matcha tea has been shown to improve brain function, aid weight loss, prevent oxidative stress, and have several other health benefits. However, limited research has been done on the tea&rsquo;s effects on the general population. Most studies have focused on green tea rather than matcha tea. Moreover, there is no scientific evidence of coffee faring worse than matcha in people.&nbsp;

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At the end of the day, whether it&rsquo;s coffee, green tea, matcha tea, chamomile tea, or black tea, it is important to stick to moderation. Anything in excess will cause some form of harmful effect or another. So, when it comes to what is best, the answer is the individual&rsquo;s personal preference and whatever helps them function best. However, to be fair, it&#39;s best to give them all a try and see what works before forming an opinion. 
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Key Points

<ul><li>Originating from Japan, matcha green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.&nbsp;</li><li>Matcha green tea is seen to contain high levels of polyphenols, vitamin C and K, and other antioxidants.&nbsp;</li><li>Matcha tea has been shown to improve brain function, aid weight loss, prevent oxidative stress, and have several other health benefits.&nbsp;</li><li>Although matcha contains a high caffeine content, similar to coffee, the presence of polyphenols slows the release of caffeine. Thus, one feels the energizing effects but without the palpitations and jitteriness.&nbsp;</li><li>Both coffee and matcha contain caffeine and antioxidants, and have several health benefits. However, there is limited medical literature comparing the two caffeinated drinks.&nbsp;</li></ul>

[1] Fredholm BB. Notes on the history of caffeine use. Methylxanthines. 2010:1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-13443-2_1

[2] Poole R, Ewings S, Parkes J, Fallowfield JA, Roderick P. Misclassification of coffee consumption data and the development of a standardised coffee unit measure. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. 2019;2(1):11-19. doi:10.1136/bmjnph-2018-000013

[3] Nehlig A. Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients?. Pract Neurol. 2016;16(2):89-95. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2015-001162

[4] Jakubczyk K, Kochman J, Kwiatkowska A, et al. Antioxidant Properties and Nutritional Composition of Matcha Green Tea. Foods. 2020;9(4):483. Published 2020 Apr 12. doi:10.3390/foods9040483

[5] Sakurai K, Shen C, Ezaki Y, et al. Effects of Matcha Green Tea Powder on Cognitive Functions of Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3639. Published 2020 Nov 26. doi:10.3390/nu12123639

[6] Willems MET, Şahin MA, Cook MD. Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(5):536-541. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0237

[7] Yamabe N, Kang KS, Hur JM, Yokozawa T. Matcha, a powdered green tea, ameliorates the progression of renal and hepatic damage in type 2 diabetic OLETF rats. J Med Food. 2009;12(4):714-721. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.1282

[8] Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 2, Pharmacology of Caffeine.

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