Matcha Is Magnificent!

What are the Health Benefits of Matcha Tea?

One serving of matcha tea is the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea!

   *When you drink matcha you ingest the entire leaf and receive 100% of the nutrients of the leaf

   *Matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea.

   *One cup of matcha = 10 cups of regularly brewed green tea in terms of nutritional content

 Why is matcha tea considered an anti-oxidant powerhouse?

One of the biggest buzz words in nutrition, antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. A variety of organically grown fruits and vegetables are praised for their antioxidant properties, but matcha is unparalleled in comparison., and is a great option when you want a caffeinated beverage!

Using the testing method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), experts at Tufts University discovered that matcha possesses an amazing twenty times more so than pomegranates or blueberries. Matchas ORAC rating is a mighty 1573 units per gram, compared to pomegranates 105 units per gram or blueberries 93 units.

Why does this matter?

Antioxidants are the body’s defense agents. They are chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Put simply, the more you have, the better equipped your body is in the fight against infections and disease.

What unique properties of matcha support weight loss?

Already nearly calorie free, matcha is a great addition to a weight loss program by tackling the problem from both sides. It boosts metabolism and burns fat. One recent study even suggested that matcha may help burn calories by four times. At the same time, matcha does not put any stress on the body. It doesn’t raise blood pressure or heart rate, making it a safe alternative to questionable quick fixes or pharmaceuticals ridden with side effects.

A study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expediture.

How does the amino acid, L-theanine, help me concentrate and focus?

Over a thousand years ago, matcha came to Japan as an aid to meditation practice. During long hours of sitting, monks would drink matcha to remain alert yet calm. Modern science has recently confirmed the lessons of centuries of tradition. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning. While stress can induce beta waves an excited, more agitated state, L-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than common black and green teas.

As an additional benefit, L-Theanine may help memory and learning and ability all the while inhibiting any possible side-effects from caffeine, a natural component of green tea. Therefore, a cup of matcha promotes concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee. Try matcha, next time you could use a pick-me-up for the afternoon or anytime you need extra focus!