For over 800 years, the Japanese have been drinking matcha tea for its health benefits.
According to Surrey Live, with millions suffering from stress and anxiety, this beverage can be of great help in their daily lives.
Multiple Benefits
Health experts believe that adding matcha tea to one's diet can provide a significant boost to both physical and mental health.
According to the Spanish website Cope, it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and can improve focus, aid in weight loss, and reduce anxiety, thanks to its content of L-theanine.
Positive Effects in Just One Month
Studies have shown that within just 4 weeks, increasing L-theanine levels can improve mood.
A study conducted in 2017 found that “stress-related symptom scores (i.e., depression, anxiety traits, and sleep) decreased, while cognitive function scores (i.e., verbal fluency and executive function) improved after 4 weeks of L-theanine consumption.”
Improved Sleep Quality
The study also indicated that “the decrease in sleep quality problems, including sleep disturbances and the use of sleep medications, was greater with L-theanine than with a placebo, while verbal fluency, particularly letter fluency, improved in individuals who had shown relatively low performance before treatment.”
Dopamine and Serotonin
It is also said that matcha tea increases the release of dopamine and boosts serotonin levels, which helps reduce feelings of drowsiness.
Fat Burning
The thermogenic properties of matcha tea make it a natural fat burner that boosts metabolism, reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The tea is also considered a great antioxidant due to its chlorophyll and catechin content.
For People Without Heart or Kidney Disorders
Matcha tea is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and minerals. However, it is not recommended for people with heart conditions, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers.
How to Prepare
Matcha can be made using loose powder, or you can add half a teaspoon of packed matcha powder to a bowl. Then, add a few drops of warm water (not boiling) and mix it until it forms a paste-like consistency.
Next, fill a cup with hot water and whisk it. Experts advise making sure the water doesn’t boil when preparing matcha tea, as boiling water can cause the powder to clump together.
