Table of contents:
- Matcha vs green tea, what's the difference?
- The difference in content in matcha vs green tea
- What are the benefits of drinking matcha?
- 1. The body gets antioxidant intake
- 2. Reducing the risk of heart disease
- 3. Weight loss
- 4. Provides a relaxing effect
- Are there any side effects from predominantly matcha?
You must have often heard that aka green tea green tea It has many health benefits, such as improving heart health and aiding weight loss. Not surprisingly, people are turning to green tea. However, after green tea has been hotly discussed, matcha has recently begun to attract attention. Unlike green tea which is usually available in the form of brewed leaves, matcha usually comes in powder form. The question is, is matcha the same as green tea? Here is a complete explanation of matcha vs green tea.
Matcha vs green tea, what's the difference?
Both of these drinks actually come from the same plant, that is Camellia sinensis, which comes from China. Even though the plants are the same, what makes them different is the way they are processed and grown. The making of matcha is deliberately prepared differently. The tea plants are closed about 20-30 days before harvest, to avoid direct sunlight. As a result, the tea leaves become darker in color, and this can increase the production of amino acids due to the large amount of chlorophyll found in the dark leaves.
After going through the harvest process, the stems and fine veins are separated from the leaves. Both were ground with stones until smooth, and became a light green powder. Due to this process, the substance in matcha is higher in comparison to regular green tea. Unlike ordinary green tea, the tea leaves in matcha are dried for a short period of time, to maintain their green color. Since the tea leaves are ground, and not just brewed, if you drink matcha, this means that you are drinking the entire content of the tea leaves.
The difference in content in matcha vs green tea
Regular green tea has only about 63 mg of antioxidants compared to matcha which has about 134 mg of catechins - a type of powerful antioxidant with many health benefits. This means that one cup of matcha contains the same antioxidants as 3 cups of green tea.
The antioxidants in matcha are even higher than all kinds of fruits and vegetables. However, the content in green tea is equally good, it's just that the benefits produced by matcha are greater than ordinary green tea. Regular green tea also contains polyphenols which can prevent inflammation and swelling, although these are higher in matcha.
However, please note that in addition to being high in antioxidants, matcha also contains higher caffeine. One cup of matcha which consists of half a tablespoon of matcha powder contains about 35 mg of caffeine.
What are the benefits of drinking matcha?
Matcha and green tea have the same health benefits, only their effectiveness is different. Here are some of the benefits resulting from drinking matcha:
1. The body gets antioxidant intake
Antioxidants function to prevent free radicals from forming in the body. Free radicals can cause tissue and cell damage. As explained above, the antioxidants in matcha are known as catechins, a derivative of catechins is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). According to several studies, this substance can prevent inflammation in the body, form healthy arteries, and help repair cells.
2. Reducing the risk of heart disease
Heart disease can cause death. Drinking green tea or matcha can reduce this risk, because green tea and matcha can change cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Researchers showed a 31% reduction in the risk of heart disease in green tea drinkers, perhaps even more effectively for matcha connoisseurs.
3. Weight loss
One of the reasons someone drinks green tea is the claim to "lose weight", matcha also has that claim. In fact, you can find green tea extract in some weight loss supplements. Research cited by Authority Nutrition shows green tea can increase calorie burning by increasing metabolism, but not all studies agree with this opinion.
4. Provides a relaxing effect
Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine. Matcha contains higher levels of L-theanine than any green tea. The benefit of L-theanine is to increase alpha waves in the brain. These waves can help you get calm, as well as fight stress symptoms. This substance is also able to change the effect of caffeine in the body, so that it makes us alert, does not cause the drowsiness that usually appears after drinking coffee. The caffeine in matcha is thought to provide a longer alert effect compared to coffee, but the effect is mild, it doesn't cause the heart to flutter. In addition, several studies have shown that green tea powder can improve brain function and prevent cognitive decline due to age.
Are there any side effects from predominantly matcha?
Consuming matcha powder means that you digest the entire leaf, no matter what is in it. During its development, matcha leaves can be contaminated by heavy metals, pesticides, and fluorine. Besides that, more nutritional content is not always good for the body. The body's tolerance for a substance varies, high levels of this substance can cause nausea, symptoms of liver or kidney poisoning. So, it is not recommended to drink matcha more than 2 cups / cup a day.
