Matcha: 30 Powerful Reasons to brew a cup right now
Matcha, finely ground green tea, is my favorite drink. Usually around 3:00 pm, I need a quick pick-me-up. Nothing is better than a matcha latte! Hot or cold, I mix it with almond or soy milk for a refreshing and energy boosting drink. Matcha has a lot of health benefits beyond boosting energy. Plus, it works well in a variety of recipes, which I will share below.
Tea in general should be part of any healthy lifestyle. Tea not only tastes great but it can be counted as part of daily water intake. If you are striving to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily, tea can break up the water routine and make it more likely you will stick to your goal. Drinking tea is even better than drinking water since it contains many healthy antioxidants.
As with any healthy lifestyle, drinking organic matcha will help you avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides. Many tea companies use harmful chemicals in the actual tea bag. The tea leaves themselves are processed and some companies use neonicotinoids when processing the leaves. Neonicotinoids negatively impact a variety of beneficial insects, including bees.
Neonicotinoids affect the central nervous system of insects resulting in paralysis and death. Humans are not safe from the neonicotinoids either! Neonicotinoids can alter estrogen production in humans. So if you are trying to keep your hormones level, drinking non-organic tea will not support your health goals.
Let's take a look at the health benefits of matcha.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MATCHA
#1 It is Calming
Matcha contains L-theanine, which is a unique amino acide that helps boost alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves enhance mood, encourage relaxation, induce a profound feeling of mental clarity and help you stay alert.
#2 Matcha is full of Antioxidants
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most plentiful antioxidant in green tea. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals in the body, which protects us from their harmful effects. If free radicals run rampant in our bodies, they can lead to chronic health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation.
#3 It Detoxifies the Body
Matcha is green which means it contains chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an excellent detoxifier, which helps cleanse the blood. We should be eating something green every day due to the impact of chlorophyll on our bodies. Matcha helps achieve this goal.
#4 Matcha may protect against Cancer
Matcha has been studied for it's anti-cancer potential. In one long-term study, drinking 40 ounces of green tea every day delayed cancer from starting for 7 years in female patients.
#5 Boosts Energy
As I mentioned, I need an energy boost at around 3:00 pm. Matcha contains a unique form of caffeine known as theophylline, which sustains energy levels without that shaky feeling. Also, theophylline is released slowly which helps support the functionality of the adrenal glands.
#6 Supports Eye Health
Matcha may boost vision and may prevent eye disorders such as glaucoma. The flavonoid gallocatechin collects in the retina and protects it from dangerous UV rays.
#7 It Promotes a Healthy Weight
Match can boost your metabolism which can help lead to a decrease in body fat.
#8 Improves Brain Health
Theanine, which is found in matcha, has anti-stress effects. It is believed that theanine can boost memory and concentration.
#9 May Protect against Infection
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) helps fight various bacterial, viral and fungal infections. So if you are worried about catching a cold or virus, drink some matcha!
#10 Supports a Healthy Gastrointestinal Function
Match can help the body get rid of harmful chemicals and toxins since it stimulates our colon to push things forward. If you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), matcha can help since it has anti-inflammatory properties.
#11 Matcha supports Type 2 Diabetes
Matcha helps maintain a healthy metabolism by lowering blood sugar levels. A study also showed that drinking green tea can lower the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 42%.
#12 Boosts the Immune System
Since matcha contains a variety of antioxidants and polyphenols it can help boost the immune system and protect it agains various antigens.
#13 Improves the Cardiovascular System
Matcha helps lower cholesterol levels which helps support a healthy cardiovascular system. A Studies have shown that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of heart disease up to 31%.
#14 Matcha may improve Liver Health
A study was performed where participants took green tea extract. The results showed the participants had significantly reduced enzyme levels at the end of the study. Elevated enzyme levels are a marker of liver damage.
Not only does Matcha provide a variety of health benefits, but it can be used in a variety of recipes.
MATCHA RECIPES (16 Fabulous Matcha recipes!)
Green Tea Chocolate Chunk Cookies found on Yummy
Gluten-Free Green Tea Matcha Waffles from Plating Pixels
Coconut Matcha Energy Bars from Grateful Grazer
Light and Fluffy Matcha Lemon Muffins from Beautiful Eats and Things
Raw Matcha Brownies from Becoming Ness
Chocolate Matcha Swirl Loaf from The Emotional Baker
Green Tea Butter Cookies from Chatelaine
Matcha Quinoa Breakfast Cookies from Simply Quinoa
Green Matcha Smoothie Bowl from Cooktoria
Matcha Green Tea Oatmeal from Cotter Crunch
Matcha Green Tea Chia Pudding from Fearless Dining
Creamy Banana Matcha Smoothie from The Garden Grazer
Cacao Matcha Macaroons from Deliciously Raw
Energizing Matcha Lemonade from Epic Matcha
Matcha Latte with Coconut and & Almond from This Rawsome Vegan Life
I hope this post inspired you to drink matcha everyday! Your body will thank you for it.
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If you make any of the matcha recipes I shared, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram as @heather_lee_donahue and use the #heathershealthhabits hashtag. I love seeing how the recipes turned out for you!
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