Matcha tea: properties and benefits of more zen green tea

Matcha tea has been the center of japanese ceremonies for more than 900 years, and today it is still honored by Buddhist monks for its potential to stimulate concentration and speed up metabolism.

This elixir is nothing more than the ground green tea leaf that is dissolved in hot water. To obtain it, use a high quality tea called “tencha” that is grown in the shade, which slows down photosynthesis and gives rise to a darker color. This translates to more chlorophyll and amino acids.

Matcha tea can be taken as an infusion, dissolved in water, or incorporated into recipes. By ingesting the entire leaf and not just its infusion, it has a higher nutritional value.

The properties of matcha tea

Matcha tea provides vitamins A, E, K and group Bas well as trace minerals.

However, it is your rich in polyphenols and catechins What makes it above all an excellent antioxidant, six times more powerful than goji berries.

It also contains five times more chlorophyll than other teas.

Due to this composition, we can attribute the following benefits to matcha tea:

ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION

Matcha tea is the richest green tea in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant

with many benefits that protects against disorders or inflammation associated with oxidative stress.

STIMULUS OF THE DEFENSES

The antioxidants in matcha tea (polyphenols, EGCG and L-theanine) jointly contribute to increase defenses. One study suggested, for example, that EGCG inhibits the growth of pathogens such as hepatitis B and C, herpes, staphylococcus aureus, or candida.

Cardiovascular health

The EGCG in matcha tea helps regulate cholesterol levelsreduces lipid accumulation and protects blood vessels.

provides energy

Contains caffeine (or theine) together with theophylline which, together, exert a more gradual stimulating action than that of coffee and without adverse effects. It does not overload the adrenal glands and does not alter hormonal values.

help debug

The chlorophyll in matcha tea is a great blood detoxifier, helps maintain alkalinity and prevents harmful substances from adhering to the intestinal walls.

gives you clarity and calm

The amino acid L-theanine in matcha tea promotes alpha waves in the brain. These promote relaxation, mental clarity and better alertness, similar to when practicing yoga. This effect helped the monks in their meditations; hence it became popular.

Contributes to cancer prevention

Multiple studies have shown that the polyphenols present in matcha tea prevent the proliferation of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and help reduce the risk of developing cancers such as bladder, colon, breast, and prostate cancers.

How to drink matcha tea

You can drink it in its traditional form, as a tea, but you will also find it as a matcha latte, in smoothies and milkshakes, in chocolates, in ice creams and in other desserts. It is a very versatile ingredient that you can incorporate into many of your recipes.