Matcha also contains a compound called L-theanine, which alters the effects of caffeine, promoting alertness and helping avoid the crash in energy levels that can follow caffeine consumption ( 8). The Beaumont blog: Health Benefits of Matcha Tea [http://blog.beaumont.edu/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/] Adults over 65: Older adults participated in matcha-related clinical trials, but more extensive research with higher quality, larger, and longer-term studies is still necessary. Some older adults may have a higher likelihood of medication side effects. For this reason, use caution with matcha. For a more concentrated version, combine 2 teaspoons (4 g) of powder with just 1 ounce (30 ml) of water. Green tea and matcha show some promise in reducing your risk of liver disease. A meta-analysis found that drinking green tea could lower your chances of liver cancer.

For a thinner tea, reduce the powder to a half teaspoon (1 g) and mix with 3–4 ounces (89–118 ml) of hot water. The consumption of Matcha green tea powder has been reported in a pilot study to improve cognitive performance and function in the elderly as they age [11]. As Matcha contains caffeine and L-theanine it is also likely to support greater attention, task performance, memory performance, and mental alertness. It's also incredibly potent, and you can definitely have too much of a good thing. A cup of matcha contains about three times more antioxidants than regular green tea. If you're mainlining the stuff, it can cause nausea and even symptoms of liver or kidney toxicity, so go easy – up to two cups a day should be fine for most people. Abe SK, Inoue M. Green tea and cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a review of the current epidemiological evidence. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021;75:865-876. doi: 10.1038/s41430-020-00710-7 Wu et al. Effect of green tea supplementation on insulin sensitivity in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 11;52(3):643-8.After harvesting, the leaf stems and veins are removed and the remaining parts of the plant are steamed, dried and stone-ground into a fine powder. Summary To find out more, we asked registered nutritionist Jenna Hope to reveal what matcha's made of, explain what it tastes like, and share tips on safe consumption: What is matcha? When scientists at the University of Toyama gave diabetic rats matcha for 16 weeks, it prevented damage to their kidneys and liver. However, consuming too much matcha may actually cause symptoms of liver or kidney toxicity – so enjoy the drink in moderation. 4. Matcha enhances brain function SouthWest Institute of Healing Arts: An Experiment With Green Tea & Matcha [http://www.blog.swiha.edu/experiment-green-tea-steps-make-tasty-green-tea-matcha/] Those that consumed matcha showed improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory compared with those consuming the placebo ( 6).

Esophageal cancer: Hot tea might raise your risk of esophageal cancer. A healthcare provider may suggest avoiding hot tea if you already have multiple risk factors for this cancer. High blood pressure: Green tea might raise your blood pressure. A healthcare provider may want to monitor you closely if you already have high blood pressure.Always consult your GP before taking Food Supplements, especially if you are taking medication, have an existing medical condition or are due to undergo surgery. Some participants consumed either matcha tea or a bar containing 4 grams of matcha, while the control group consumed a placebo tea or bar. Catechins in matcha, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), may protect cells from DNA damage and slow tumor growth. Some studies on animals show that EGCG might prevent some types of cancers, but we need more research to know for sure.

Drinking matcha may also increase your exposure to contaminants like pesticides, chemicals, and even arsenic found in the soil where the tea plants are grown ( 15, 16). The finely powdered green tea, Japanese matcha, is sourced from specially grown and processed leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Research from the journal Molecules suggests that this colorful beverage is high in antioxidants and offers other powerful health-promoting properties, including increased memory and cognition, reduced stress and inflammation and antiviral compounds that strengthen the body’s immune system. What’s more, catechins in matcha green tea—substances that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals—may also help prevent and even stop the growth of some forms of cancer [1] Kochman J, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Mruk H, Janda K. Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules. 2020;26(1):85. . Drinking matcha tea can reduce anxiety, a rodent study by Kumamoto University concluded. The reason? Plant compounds in the matcha activate dopamine (D1) and serotonin (5-HT) receptors, which are closely related to anxious behaviour. 2. Matcha boosts fat-burning There are some potential side effects associated with over-consuming matcha. 'Matcha is a source of caffeine, which can impair sleep quality and quantity,' says Hope. 'Excess caffeine is not recommended for individuals who are prone to stress and anxiety. Caffeine consumption should be moderated in pregnancy – no more than 200mg per day.' Rutin is a powerful antioxidant that works along with vitamin C to enhance the body’s cardiovascular system and strengthen blood vessels. It has anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Takeaway

Esophageal cancer: Hot tea may raise your risk for cancer of the esophagus (tube in the throat that connects to your stomach). Symptoms may include problems with swallowing, coughing, heartburn, and hoarseness.