Home/ Blog/ Diet & Nutrition/

Do the health benefits of matcha match the hype?

Aug 30, 2018 By Robyn Hoke
Aerial view of green tea drink

Matcha, matcha, matcha. This gorgeously green tea seems to be getting a whole lot of attention these days. But does it live up to the healthy hype? Check out our FAQs to find out.

What is matcha?

Matcha is a powder made from green tea leaves. While matcha comes from the same plant as typical green and black tea (Camellia sinensis), the growing and processing is a bit different. The first difference is that the tea plants are covered to prevent direct sunlight several weeks before harvest, which causes them to produce more L-theanine (an amino acid) and caffeine. The finest buds are handpicked, steamed to stop fermentation, and laid flat to dry. Unlike typical tea, the dried leaves are then de-veined and de-stemmed before being stoneground into a fine powder.

The preparation is different from regular tea as well. Rather than steeping tea leaves in hot water then removing them, matcha powder gets whisked into hot water or milk. So when you drink matcha, you’re drinking the tea leaves themselves.

Matcha has also been popping up in a variety of foods — from pastries and ice cream to soup and soba noodles.

How much caffeine is in matcha?

Matcha has more caffeine than regular green tea but less than coffee or espresso — about 34 mg of caffeine for a tea made with ½ teaspoon of matcha compared to about 30 mg for an 8 oz traditional green tea, 63 mg for one espresso shot, and 95 to 125 mg for an 8 oz coffee.

Some people report that matcha creates a calmer buzz than they get from coffee and they don’t experience the jitteriness, spikes, and crashes associated with caffeine when they drink matcha. One theory people have for this is that it may be due to the L-theanine in matcha, which some find to have a calming effect. If you’re sensitive to the caffeine in coffee, matcha may be a better alternative for you.

What are the health benefits?

Like regular green tea, matcha is packed with antioxidants known as polyphenols, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). While more research is needed, some smaller studies and observational research have suggested the polyphenols in green tea may play a role in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, protecting against cancer, lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and dementia, and more.

Because you ingest the leaves when you drink matcha, you’ll likely get more of these healthy compounds than you would with steeped green tea. For instance, research suggests you’ll get at least three times more EGCG from matcha than other green teas.

The L-theanine in matcha may also have health benefits beyond the anecdotal reports of reducing the negative effects of caffeine. Some research suggests this amino acid may help improve brain function and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha may provide additional benefits. This dynamic duo may improve attention, alertness, and memory.

Are there any concerns about matcha?

Some green teas have been found to be contaminated with lead and other heavy metals absorbed from the soil it’s grown in. However, ConsumerLab.com, an independent testing group, tested six popular matcha brands and found no lead in them. Tea from China may be more likely to contain lead due to industrial pollution.

And while the antioxidants in green tea possibly offer a number of health benefits, too much of a good thing has the potential to be dangerous. There have been a small number of cases of liver toxicity which may be linked to green tea extracts in supplements.

You may also want to avoid drinking matcha in the afternoon or evening due to the caffeine. Even if it doesn’t cause jitteriness, it can still impact your sleep. Caffeine can also be an addictive substance and may not be for everyone.

————————————————-

While the research is far from definitive at this point, the early evidence suggests that matcha may offer some health benefits. But as with most things, we recommend drinking matcha in moderation. A cup or two a day is a great way to reap any potential benefits of matcha while limiting risks.

Here to keep you healthy. And informed.
Get 24/7 care over video chat from the comfort of home or wherever you go. Join today and experience primary care designed for real life, in-office and in-app.
Join Today
Robyn Hoke

Robyn Hoke is a senior copywriter at One Medical, writing everything from marketing campaigns to member emails to blog content. She’s had an interest in health and wellness from a young age and is particularly interested in food as medicine.

The One Medical blog is published by One Medical, a national, modern primary care practice pairing 24/7 virtual care services with inviting and convenient in-person care at over 100 locations across the U.S. One Medical is on a mission to transform health care for all through a human-centered, technology-powered approach to caring for people at every stage of life.

Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. 1Life Healthcare, Inc. and the One Medical entities make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered or provided within or through the blog, website, or app. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.