Matcha Health Benefits

Matcha green tea leaves are whisked with water and consumed in its entirety, unlike regular green teas where the most nutritious tea leaves are taken out of the water upon brewing. Thus, by virtue of literally "eating" the whole tea leaves, Matcha green tea delivers the highest concentration of green tea antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibers compared to all other mainstream beverages. To add to this, Matcha green tea also contains high amounts of theanines, a unique set of amino acids found almost exclusively in green tea. In conjunction with the tea caffeine and theophylline, the two naturally occurring ingredients are thought to work together to help provide mental clarity and energy.

Green tea has long been a popular beverage in Japan and America. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants useful for cancer protection and, if taken regularly, can help to lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar balance and increase energy levels. Recent studies have found that just four cups daily can result in weight loss without a change in diet and exercise.

Green tea is unique as it provides natural caffeine for an energizing boost and at the same time is calming due to theanine, a natural compound that blocks the release of stress hormone.

Like black teas, green varieties contain antioxidants called catechins that have a protective effect against heart disease. A recent study of postmenopausal women showed that only green tea can significantly decrease your risk of breast cancer. The green tea 'turns down' levels of circulating estrogen, which have been implicated in the development of the disease.

The Polyphenols (antioxidant) found in green tea scavenge for free radicals before they have time to cause injury to the cells. Green tea has roughly 30 percent to 40 percent polyphenols, while black tea contains just 3 percent to 10 percent polyphenols. The average cup of green tea contains 50 to 150 milligrams of polyphenols, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (www.umm.edu).

At the recent International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer sponsored by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), scientists presented new evidence about phytochemicals in green tea that may help prevent normal cells from developing into cancer and spreading.

Recently, green tea has been hailed as the cure-all for all health aliments. Whether it is a weak immune system, high cholesterol, blood sugar or blood pressure, or reducing the risk of cancer, arthritis, tooth decay and stroke, green tea contains the seemingly solve-all antioxidant, catechin, according to greentea-benefits.com. Green tea also contains half the amount of caffeine found in coffee and is considered a good source of necessary vitamins and minerals.