AN ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE
One of the major health benefits of matcha tea is that it delivers a mega dose of antioxidants in every sip. According to the latest innovation in antioxidant research, matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants than any other ‘superfood’.
There are so many reasons to love matcha, it:
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Boosts metabolism and burns calories
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Is packed with antioxidants including the powerful EGCg
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Calms the mind and relaxes the body
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Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
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Detoxifies naturally and effectively
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Is rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins
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Enhances mood and aids in concentration
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Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium
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Acts as a shield against many diseases
Matcha tea is an easy and simple way to add powerful health benefits to your everyday diet.
All about Antioxidants
One of the biggest buzz words in nutrition, antioxidants are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Nowadays, a variety of fruits and vegetables are lauded for their antioxidant properties, leading to a host of products with all kinds of claims. But matcha blows it out of the water. This is because matcha is packed with exponentially more antioxidants according to the latest innovation in antioxidant research.
Using the testing method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), experts at Tufts University discovered that matcha contains an amazing twenty times more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries. Matcha’s ORAC rating is a mighty 1573 units per gram, compared to pomegranates at 105 units per gram or blueberries at 93 units.
Antioxidants are the body’s defense agents. They are chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Put simply, the more you have, the better equipped your body is in the fight against infections and disease.
L-theanine, amino acid, and focus
Over a thousand years ago, matcha came to Japan as an aid to meditation practice. During long hours of sitting, monks would drink matcha to remain alert yet calm.
Modern science has recently confirmed the lessons of centuries of tradition. Matcha is rich in L-Theanine, a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brain’s functioning. While stress induces beta waves that create an excited, more agitated state, L-Theanine creates alpha waves, which lead to a state of relaxed alertness. And while L-Theanine is common in all tea, matcha may contain up to 5x more of this amino acid than common black and green teas.
As an additional benefit, L-Theanine may help memory and concentration all the while inhibiting any possible side-effects from caffeine, a natural component of green tea. Therefore, a bowl of matcha promotes concentration and clarity of mind without any of the nervous energy found in coffee. Try matcha as a pick-me-up for the afternoon or anytime you need extra focus.
Can matcha help with weight loss?
Already nearly calorie free, matcha is a great addition to a weight loss program by tackling the problem from both sides. It boosts metabolism and burns fat. One recent study even suggested that matcha may help burn calories by 4x. At the same time, matcha does not put any stress on the body. It doesn’t raise blood pressure or heart rate (in fact, it lowers it), making it a safe alternative to questionable quick fixes or pharmaceuticals ridden with side effects.
A study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expediture.
