![]() ![]() “Due to their exceptionally high concentration of catechins, matcha and green tea have been shown to support everything from digestion to heart health to metabolism, cognitive function, cancer prevention, and more,” says Jenna Volpe, RDN, who's based in Austin, Texas. Green teas contain the antioxidants epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin gallate (ECG), but matcha is richest in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the aforementioned review notes. Matcha is mostly known for its fresh aroma, deep green pigment, and rich antioxidant content. To create Japanese matcha, the tea plant is shielded from direct sunlight, thereby increasing compounds like chlorophyll, caffeine, amino acids, and antioxidants, according to a review published in the January 2021 issue of Molecules. It’s in the same family as green tea - both green tea and matcha come from the Camellia sinensis plant - but they’re harvested differently, and this explains why matcha may have a slight edge over green tea. Matcha tea originated in Japan nearly a thousand years ago. ![]() “The antioxidants in matcha have been shown to have many health benefits, including increased metabolism, lowered cholesterol, and improved circulation.” So, what is this popular green powder? “Matcha is a special type of green tea, though it’s thought to be richer in polyphenols than regular green tea,” explains William Li, MD, a physician and food researcher. Some people like the earthy flavor that matcha adds, while others simply want to reap the purported health benefits. Between iced matcha lattes, macarons, and mochi, it’s everywhere - particularly in sweet beverages like boba and desserts like candy and ice cream. It’s in powdered form, so it’s easy to incorporate in smoothies, drinks, and even baked goods. Matcha is right up there with other so-called superfoods, like turmeric, ginger, kefir, wild blueberries, and mushrooms. ![]()
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