Matcha Health Benefits

Matcha Tea
Matcha Tea
Green tea is increasing in popularity, for those who are health-conscious as well as for people in the know about antioxidants and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Americans are now learning what people in the East have known for thousands of years: the powerful, healing powers of green tea.

Green tea has often been referred to as "antioxidant tea" or "health tea" and with a long list of matcha health benefits, it's easy to see why. Years of research has found that a high vitamin and antioxidant content have made green tea effective in treating stomach disorders, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as calming nerves, raising good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, and even preventing dental cavities. Perhaps most intriguing health benefit of matcha is green tea's ability to prevent cancer and to slow the process of aging. Homeopathic rejuvenation methods are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., and the health benefits of matcha are virtually indisputable.

Researchers have found that the antioxidant in green tea, EGCG, inhibits quinol oxidase or NOX, which is required for growth in both normal cells and cancer cells. Under normal conditions, cells only express NOX when stimulated by hormones. Cancerous cells, however, express NOX all the time. The researchers found that, at certain levels, EGCG inhibited the production of NOX in cancerous cells and not on normal cells. Furthermore, by limiting the growth and development of the cancerous cells, the cancer cells did not grow to the minimum size required minimum to divide and create new duplicate cells.

Because green tea is strongly associated with cancer prevention, one community cancer center offers a recipe for a delicious green tea smoothie. The recipe first calls for soy milk to be boiled over medium heat. Next, steep four green tea bags for approximately three minutes. Remove the bags and place the milk in the refrigerator to cool. Add two chopped peaches, four pitted and chopped dates, and half a sliced banana to the milk and puree in a blender until smooth.

Nutritional information for the finished drink includes 75 calories, 2 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fiber, and only 1.5 grams of fat. This is a simple and delicious way to access the many health benefits of matcha.

Matcha Tea

Matcha Green Tea for Longevity

As green tea's popularity lives on, so do the people who drink it. One Japanese study found that people who drink at least one pint of green tea daily tend to live longer. Additionally, it's been found that women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea per day can reduce their risk of heart disease by 31 percent over women who drink one or fewer cups of matcha green tea per day.

Nutritionally, green tea is high in potassium, iron, and magnesium, as well as dietary fiber. What's more, matcha green tea is also low in calories. Green tea helps to reduce stress, control melanin levels and break up cholesterol.

Like all green teas, matcha is credited with providing numerous health benefits. The beauty of matcha is that you can receive the benefit of the whole, high-quality green tea leaf. Comparatively, matcha green tea has a much higher concentration of antioxidants than orange juice or blueberries, two fruit sources well known for their abundance of antioxidant properties.

Matcha has antiviral and antibiotic properties, said to help with digestion by killing harmful bacteria, and even preventing colds and flu. Matcha health benefits include increasing mental alertness with an abundance of vitamin C, plus huge amounts of beta-carotene. Matcha green tea is also known for its ability to provide a meditative, focusing, calming effect on those who consume this remarkable beverage.

If you are interested in weight lifting and bodybuilding, you may be surprised to learn of the many matcha health benefits related to bodybuilding. Studies show that EGCG, the powerful antioxidant in green tea, suppresses the appetite, and aids in the process of turning carbohydrates into energy instead of fat. Matcha is known for its weight loss and fat-burning qualities.

People who practice yoga and mediation also enjoy Matcha green tea. Matcha is a delight for anyone who appreciates the calming, serenity-inducing benefits of green tea, as well as by individuals who are seeking to burn extra calories.