Tea has been used for centuries to reducing stress, immune-boosting, and well for the refreshment. A morning cup full of tea makes you refreshed and energetic the whole day. But now peoples are more health-conscious than before. And when it comes to losing your weight and stays fit and healthy, the use of green tea is now becoming very popular. But have you ever heard about the Matcha Green Tea and how beneficial is it to your health? If yes then great, but if not the blog is there for you.
What is Matcha Green tea?
Matcha is a green tea powder that mostly grows in Japan. It is made from the nutrient-rich young leaves that are picked from the tips of shade-grown Camellia Sinesis plants. These leaves are first shaded from the sun from the last few weeks of their growth. This increases the chlorophyll content of the leaves and gives it a vibrant green color. Also, the process triggers the growth of leaves with better texture and flavor. These chlorophyll-rich leaves are then handpicked, steamed, dried, and finally stone-ground into a very fine powder. Now the Matcha Green Tea Powder is ready to use to brew into an antioxidant-rich frothy green tea.
Now, what makes the Matcha Green Tea different from the normal green tea? If you are consuming the normal green tea, it is very common that the components from the leaves are getting infused into the hot water and then the leaves are strained. But with Match Green Tea you are drinking the actually powdered leaves, means the powder is not strained out there. And so, it makes the Matcha green tea more potent, unlike the normal green tea varieties.
Nutritional Facts of Matcha Green Tea
Matcha Green Tea is one of the traditional beverages rich in Vitamin A, C, E, K, Vitamin B-complex, and also traces minerals. It is also enriched in components with super antioxidant activity, including polyphenols, catechins, and chlorophyll. And of course, the presence of amino acids such as L-theanine and theophylline in the matcha green tea makes it a multi nutrient-packed drink.
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Uses Of Matcha Green Tea
Apart from various healthy gains, Matcha is not just only used as a beverage, but also used as an ingredient in a range of food items. These food items include both sweet and savory dishes. Matcha is used to add flavor to a variety of confectionery items like muffins, brownies, puddings, chocolates, cakes, candies, cookies, and green tea ice-creams. Some Matcha based drinks are also trendy nowadays, like smoothies, milkshakes, lattes, and alcoholic beverages. And if we talk about the savory dishes, Matcha is used in soups, stir-fries, etc. And all these items made from Matcha have all their own health benefits.
How to make Matcha Green Tea?
Making Matcha Green Tea is somehow more complicated than dipping a tea bag into the hot water but not a big deal. The bright green matcha powder is quickly whisked into a frothy and thick brew which refreshes you with its every sip. Let’s follow the step to prepare a perfect cup of Matcha Green Tea.
- Step 1: Sift 1-2 tsp matcha powder into a cup using a small sifter
- Step 2: Add 2oz hot water. For best results use boiled water
- Step 3: Whisk vigorously in a zig-zag motion until the tea is frothy
- Step 4: Enjoy your matcha green tea straight from the bowl
Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea
Here we have covered the seven best reasons to enjoy your cupful of Matcha Green Tea as a part of your daily health routine.
1. Matcha Green Tea for skin (Rich in Antioxidants)
We all know that antioxidants are the magical nutrients and enzymes responsible for fighting against various life-threatening maladies. And since matcha is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, it protects you against heart diseases and cancer, improves the blood sugar regulation, and reduces blood pressure levels. It also fights against the harmful effects of Ultra Violet Radiations and gives you younger-looking skin.
2. Boosts energy levels and stamina
Matcha Green Tea is an ideal substitute for any normal tea, green tea, or coffee because it provides an energy boost. However, all the green tea naturally contains caffeine; the energy boost received from Matcha green tea is bigger. It is just because due to its unique combination of other nutrients. The very best part is that the increased stamina from a bowl of Matcha Green Tea can last up to 6 hours. And because of the effects of L-Theanine, Matcha Green tea drinkers experience none of the usual side-effects like nervousness and hypertension. You can only get clean and good energy.
3. Boosts concentration and mental alertness
Matcha Green Tea works very wonderfully in providing a calming effect on the body. Since Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, which is a rare amino acid that actually promotes the state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning. This amino acid actually assists in boosting alpha waves in the brain. And then these alpha waves encourage relaxation and induce a profound feeling of mental clarity and a more alert state of mind. While L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha green tea may contain up to five times more of this amino acid than your common black and green teas.
According to a study, the L-Theanine exerts a calming effect on the brain without causing any drowsiness. And due to the reason, matcha green tea was used traditionally by the Buddhist monks to maintain deep concentration during their meditation sessions. Another study reveals that the anti-stress effects of L-Theanine present in matcha green tea aids in reducing the physiological and psychological stress responses by reducing the neuron excitation.
As an additional benefit, L-Theanine may help memory and learning ability all the while restraining any possible side-effects from caffeine, which is a natural component of green tea.
4. Detoxifies the Body
People search for many of the ways to detoxify their body. Here, Matcha Green Tea is a perfect way for body detoxification. Since it is rich in Chlorophyll responsible for the verdant green color, it emphasize its effectiveness in the cleansing process of the body. Chlorophyll is an excellent detoxifier that helps in cleansing the blood and aids in maintaining the alkalinity of blood and tissues. Chlorophyll also helps in preventing the association of harmful toxins with colon walls and flushes them out of the body.
5. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Green tea contains a specific set of organic compounds known as catechins. Among antioxidants, catechins are the most powerful and beneficial. One specific catechin called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) makes up 60% of the catechins in Matcha Green Tea. This EGCG present in the Matcha Green Tea improves and maintains cardiovascular health. It is also highly responsible for keeping cholesterol levels low. According to a study, it is also a fact that Epigallocatechin Gallate helps in reducing the accumulation of lipids and promotes autophagy in the vascular endothelial cells.
6. Aids in Cancer Prevention
Another benefit of EGCG is that it is most widely recognized for its cancer-fighting properties. Since Matcha Green Tea contains over 100 times more EGCG than any other tea on the market, it is an excellent source of cancer prevention.
7. Supports Weight loss and fat burn
Green tea Extract is one of the common ingredients listed whenever you search for the weight loss supplements. And Matcha Green Tea is a great addition to your weight loss program. It helps in boosting the metabolism and burns fat. Even it helps in burning calories by four times than the regular green teas. And the very best part is that it doesn’t put any stress on the body. Without any fear of blood pressure rise or increase in heart rate, you can incorporate it into your daily health routine.
Final Thought
Well, that is all for the amazing benefits of Matcha Green Tea. One cupful of Matcha Green Tea is the nutritional equivalent of ten cups of your regularly brewed green tea. And the best of all, Matcha tea is one of the simplest and easiest ways to add powerful health benefits to your everyday diet. Also, this tea is very simple to prepare. So, you can incorporate it easily and effortlessly into your diet and hence giving your day a burst of extra flavor and superb health benefits.