Is Matcha Good For You? Everything You Need To Know

There has seemed to be an abundance of health gurus preaching about the benefits of matcha over the years. As with any health trend, you might be wondering, is it actually healthy?

And are there studies to back it up?

Absolutely. Studies on matcha and green tea are wide ranging and show many benefits associated with drinking the concentrated green tea powder known as matcha. To learn more about matcha's origins, how matcha's grown and differences between matcha and green tea, check out our matcha guide.

But remember - nothing is a magic pill. Including matcha in your lifestyle on a day-to-day basis is bound to serve your body and mind in a variety of ways, but a balanced lifestyle that includes mindfulness, nutritional meals, exercise, proper sleep habits and a strong community around you is critical to really making matcha good for you.

Matcha Boosts Brain Function 

Numerous studies have found that some of the active ingredients in matcha can help enhance brain function.

Matcha is naturally rich in caffeine and l-theanine which, when taken into combination, can increase alpha-brain wave activity that provides a calm, more alert type of energy, similar to meditation. 

One study measured brain performance by looking at how people performed on certain tasks after consuming matcha or a placebo. 

The study proved that those who consumed matcha experienced improvements in attention, reaction time and memory compared to the placebo group. 

Matcha is Rich in Antioxidants

Matcha contains almost 15x as many antioxidants as wild blueberries. These antioxidants can help fend off harmful free radicals which can damage cells and cause chronic disease.

One study gave mice matcha supplements and found that it reduced the damage caused by free radicals and enhanced their antioxidant activity.

Matcha Can Boost Metabolism

If you look at almost any weight loss supplement, you’ll see “green tea extract” on the ingredient list. That’s because green tea can help boost metabolism to increase energy expenditure and stimulate fat burning. With each passing year, it seems that more people are trying to push matcha for weight loss.

One small study showed that taking green tea extract could increase fat burning by 17%. Another study found that it could increase energy expenditure during a 24-hour period compared to a placebo.

Is drinking matcha every day going to cancel out other elements of an unhealthy lifestyle? Absolutely. not. But if you're living a healthy lifestyle which includes eating nutritious foods, exercising, sleeping, being mindful and being part of a community, you're bound to see results.

Matcha May Promote Heart Health 

Some studies have found that drinking green tea can reduce bad cholesterol and help protect yourself from heart disease.

Growers of green tea use specialized techniques to grow and process the tea leaves into a fine, vibrant green powder.

During the last few weeks of harvest, the plant is grown under the shade to protect it from sunlight which slows the growth and increases the concentration an amino acid called l-theanine.

After it’s harvested, the growers quickly dry the leaves to reduce oxidation, and then they strip stems and veins from the leaves before grinding it into a fine powder.

Matcha is a concentrated green tea ground into powdered form. The powder is blended into milk or water, instead of steeped like conventional tea. 

Its benefits are wide and have played a significant role in matcha's increased exposure in popular culture and at coffee shops around the United States. Learn more about blossom's matcha superfood latte and how it can help keep your energy levels high and stress levels low throughout the day.