Matcha green tea is rapidly becoming the new drink of choice for many people around the world, because of its great taste and incredible health benefits.
But what exactly is matcha?
Matcha is made by grinding the highest quality green tea leaves into a fine powder. So when you consume matcha, you ingest the entire tea leaf as opposed to just the brewed water. This is why one single serving of matcha contains 137 X the antioxidants of standard green tea.
So why is everyone obsessing over matcha these days? Let’s start with just the top 5 reasons why a cup of matcha a day can help improve and protect your health.
Matcha Increases Energy & Improves Focus
If you find yourself out of energy then matcha could be the answer for you. Just one cup of matcha a day boosts your energy for 4-6 hours without affecting your sleep. How? Matcha contains a small amount of caffeine (around 1/10th of a cup of coffee) and amino acids. These work together, to release the caffeine slowly into your system. As a result, you receive a sustained source of energy that will keep you feeling alert and energized without the huge jitters, spike and slump, coffee drinkers often experience.(1)
Matcha also improves memory and mood because it is a source of the amino acid L-theanine which helps promote concentration. This might be why matcha drinkers often report they are better able to focus, are less forgetful, and experience a deeper sense of wellbeing. (2)
Matcha Aids Weight-Loss and Weight Management
Do you struggle to maintain a healthy weight? Matcha tea is all-natural, sugar-free, and contains almost zero calories - plus it even boosts the metabolism.
Research studies show that matcha tea can help increase your body’s metabolic rate so that you burn more energy and fat each day. Additionally, the antioxidants in matcha can help reduce the amount of fat absorbed from the foods you eat. They also help regulate the hormone, Leptin, to reduce hunger cravings.
So, that daily cup of matcha can even benefit you through maintaining a healthy weight.
Matcha is a Powerhouse of Disease Fighting Antioxidants
Our body needs to get antioxidants from our diet because they help defend us against disease. Drinking a cup of matcha daily will dramatically increase your antioxidant intake because matcha is the highest natural source of antioxidants- it has 137 X the antioxidants of standard green tea.
Matcha contains one of the best disease-fighting antioxidants called EGCg. This antioxidant has been the subject of extensive scientific research and is one of the few antioxidants proven to help your body fight free radicals. Our body produces free radicals every day as a defense mechanism from the foods we eat and our exposure to pollutants and chemicals. Free radicals damage and change the DNA inside our body’s cells, which can result in cancer and other diseases. (3)
Drinking matcha can therefore provide our body with a constant supply of antioxidants which will remove free radicals from our system and protect us against disease.
Matcha Supports the Immune System & Reduces Inflammation
Do you find yourself always catching the common cold? Matcha tea provides a boost to your immune system which helps keep you healthy all year round. Matcha also reduces any inflammation in your body, whether this be from an injury, arthritis, or low-level inflammation that is often undetected.
Additionally; matcha contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that form a powerful antibacterial defence force. These work to eliminate bad breath, fight infection and flu causing bacteria, and soothe a sore throat.
Help keep your body healthy all year round and fight the flu with that daily cup of matcha.
Matcha helps prevent heart disease
Heart disease is a major concern in the western world, but the good news is that it is preventable.
Clogged arteries (Atherosclerosis) are one of the leading causes of heart disease and should be prevented. The EGCg antioxidant in matcha has been shown to lower inflammation within arteries which reduces the buildup of cholesterol on arterial walls. This also helps lower blood pressure as the heart does not have to work harder to pump blood through inflamed arteries.
Therefore, a daily cup of matcha can make a difference to your long-term heart health.
In Summary:
Simply introducing a little matcha powder into your diet can help you increase your energy, maintain a healthy weight, and protect yourself against disease.
Just half a teaspoon is all you need to give your body the necessary boost of antioxidants - and you can consume it in a variety of ways:
Mix it with hot water to enjoy as a tea, with milk as a matcha latte - or even with some ALOHA Protein Powderfor a full meal. Just blend almond milk, 2 scoops of protein powder, 1/2 tsp matcha, and a banana to make a delicious matcha smoothie.
Even better, use matcha to make a healthy dessert, like these Vanilla Matcha Cheesecake Bars.
Always make sure you use premium matcha powder to ensure you consume the maximum health benefits!
So what are you waiting for? Give your body that boost of antioxidants now and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come!
