A good friend of mine first introduced me to matcha tea while visiting our favorite cafe, DoveCote Brasserie, this drink is a powder fine-ground, luminous green ingredient made from pure tea leaves, originally grown in China. In recent years its popularity has spread throughout the western world for its energy-boosting properties and antioxidant content. Will I be swapping out my daily cup of coffee for Matcha Tea? Probably not, but here are some of health benefits to drinking this super tea everyday.
Improves Metabolism
Matcha contains an amino acid that increases fat oxidation when present in the body during exercise. In simple terms, this means that the process of burning body fat through exercise is sped up when this amino acid is ingested; and this is present in abundance in matcha tea.
Strengthens the Immune System
Sustain your immune system by drinking regular cups of matcha. No one likes being sick, help to prevent this by eating and drinking as many antioxidant-filled foods as possible.
Helps to Clear Skin
Bright-green matcha tea contains heaps of chlorophyll, which is the agent in the plant that allows it to absorb the sun’s rays and kickstart photosynthesis. This is obviously great for plants, but when used in humans, it helps to rid your skin of any dirt and toxins and protect it from chemicals. It is also said to prevent and treat sun damage when mixed into a paste and smoothed into skin – though make sure you always use a high SPF cream when you’re exposed to the sun.
It can also fight acne and signs of ageing when applied to the skin. For these reasons, matcha is commonly used in skincare products like face masks that you can pick up at beauty counters and in drugstores.
Detoxifies the Body
Matcha is rich in antioxidants, and due to its high concentration of nutrients, can actually contain the same amount of antioxidants in one cup as ten cups of regular green tea! It’s highly effective for flushing out toxins from your body after an indulgent weekend or just when you’re feeling run down. Put a spring back in your step with a shot of energy and nutrients with a matcha brew.
Promotes well-being
Matcha tea contains the amino acid l-theanine, which is found to improve a person’s sense of calm while maintaining alertness and not causing drowsiness, as some calming medicines can do. This makes it a perfect soothing natural remedy for nervousness or mild anxiety.
