All over the globe, matcha is growing in popularity. This powder made of green tea leaves has been traditionally consumed in East Asia for thousands of years. Now, the rest of the world is finally catching on.
Why the boom in popularity? Because matcha offers several health benefits to those willing to give it a try. Just browse through any health food store, and you'll see a wide variety of matcha products designed to boost energy, improve skin health, or provide any number of other health-related benefits to their consumers.
The truth is, adding matcha into your diet is one simple way to boost your overall wellness. Here are 5 benefits that you'll gain if you do so:
1. Your Liver Will Be Protected
Regular consumption of matcha tea can prevent the onset of liver disease, and even protect your kidneys. In one study, researchers gave diabetic rats matcha for 16 weeks. The result? Matcha helped prevent damage to the rats' kidneys and livers. Other studies have discovered similar results when people regularly consume moderate amounts of matcha.
Why is matcha so effective as a liver protector? One reason is that it is richer in some nutrients, like epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, than other green teas. Basically, matcha tea is full of compounds that may protect against cellular damage.
2. Your Skin Will Improve
It's no surprise that people are always on the lookout for ways to improve their skin. After all, each one of us wants our skin to have that natural, healthy radiance that we see from movie stars and celebrities.
One of the best ways to develop that healthy glow is to take in more antioxidants. Matcha is full of plant compounds called catechins, which act as natural antioxidants. These catechins stabilize and flush out free radicals, or unstable atoms that cause damage to the cells in your body — including your skin cells.
Regular consumption of matcha may also increase your blood circulation, leading to healthier, less brittle skin. Moreover, matcha is rich in antioxidants called "polyphenols." These polyphenols may ease skin inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, and slow cartilage breakdown around your joints.
3. Matcha Can Boost Your Energy and Brain Function (Without Giving You the Jitters!)
Matcha is made from green tea leaves; and green tea leaves contain caffeine. In fact, an 8-oz cup of matcha tea may contain anywhere from 30 to 50 mg of caffeine. That means you may not need a cup of joe to help you shake the cobwebs out in the morning — matcha tea can do the trick just fine.
However, there's an added benefit from drinking green tea instead of coffee: you won't have to worry about getting the jitters that often result from high coffee intake. Why? Because matcha contains an amino acid known as L-theanine. This particular amino acid promotes feelings of relaxation without detracting from your alertness. It also alters the effects of caffeine so that matcha drinkers won't suffer the "caffeine crash" that coffee drinkers often do. Basically, when you drink matcha you become more focused without losing your sense of calm.
The L-theanine amino acid has also been linked to improved brain function, such as better retention. One study examined how 23 people performed on a series of tasks related to cognitive function and brain performance. Some of the study's participants were given matcha tea (or a bar containing 4 grams of match), while the control group were given placebo tea or bars. The researchers discovered that matcha consumption significantly improved attention, reaction time, and memory compared to the placebo.
More energy and focus with no side effects? Who wouldn't want to drink more matcha!
4. Your Stress Will Decrease
Another great effect that L-theanine produces is an increase in alpha wave activity within the brain. This alpha wave activity may promote mental relaxation and decrease stress levels. Even better, research indicates that matcha (which contains L-theanine) can actually relax the mind without inducing drowsiness.
If you are under a lot of stress right now and are looking for a great coping mechanism (without any harmful side effects), then be sure to give matcha a try!
5. You'll Be Able to Lose Weight Faster
Almost all of us have certain goals when it comes to our weight. Sometimes dropping just a pound or two can feel like a major victory!
The great thing about matcha is that it can actually promote faster weight loss by not only boosting, but supercharging your metabolism. This is because matcha has an abundance of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) chemicals, which help you to burn more calories, even when you're at rest. In fact, one study of 60 obese individuals found that those taking green tea extract lost an average of 7.3 more pounds (and burned 183 more calories each day) in a 3-month period than those not taking the extract.
In addition, matcha can enhance the effect of fat-burning hormones within the body, such as norepinephrine. EGCG helps to inhibit an enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine. This results in increased levels of the norepinephrine hormone, which in turn promotes the breakdown of fat. Basically, matcha helps your body to more efficiently convert fat into energy.
Try Matcha Out Today!
As the above information clearly demonstrates, matcha offers a wide range of benefits to the health-conscious consumer. It can:
- Help protect your liver and kidneys
- Improve your skin
- Boost your memory and focus
- Reduce your stress
- Help you lose weight
If you want to take advantage of these and other health benefits, be sure to start including matcha in your diet today. Try out Paleo Angel's delicious and nutritious Matcha Green Tea Latte Power Balls — they are the perfect paleo-friendly way to kick off your day. Loaded with amino acids like L-theanine, and chock-full of antioxidants like catechins, our Matcha Balls can improve your health in so many ways.
To learn more about our products, reach out to us today. And don't forget to try out matcha the next chance you get!