Matcha Green Tea Powder Benefits & Side Effects

Matcha green tea powder is 100% natural and organic form of green tea originated from Japan and used for making tea or added in as an ingredient in a food recipe. Unlike various other green teas, it completely belongs to Japan.

Matcha is the most vital and integral part of the renowned and world famous Japanese tea ceremony. The Matcha tea also has various health benefits and medical uses.

How to Make Matcha Green Tea

Just like making any cup of tea, Matcha tea is also easy to make. The tea can be drunk in two forms, in thick or thin. The first one is known as KOICHA and the latter form is known USUCHA. Now let us look at the steps to make this wonder tea.

1. First, boil water in a nice clean pot to 75 to 80 degrees Celsius and then take a washed cup, preheat it with the hot water and take the water out again. Do not drain or throw away the water, just keep it aside in hot pot or flask.
2. Take half or even 2 teaspoons (depending on how thin you need it) of the Matcha tea powder for USUCHA (thin form). If you want KOICHA, then go for 3 to 4 teaspoons of the tea powder. Make sure that the tea is completely in the powdered form, use strainers if required.
3. Now get the hot water back, as you need to make you tea. Pour it in the cup and make sure it is still hot.
4. Now take a spoon, and if you are going for USUCHA style Matcha tea, then stir the tea until bubbles forms up to the top. Also, try stirring it in the “W” motion. Alternatively, if you have decided to go for KOICHA, then stir the spoon in the circular motion to get a smooth and flat-layered surface.
5. Finally, the tea is ready and it is advised that you should immediately drink the tea in the cup you have made it in. In addition, if you were making the tea in a large scale, then quickly pour them into small glasses, distribute, and drink it up. There is no point in making the tea in order to drink it later and then the purpose of the tea will not be served.

Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea

Matcha tea is always made in fine powdered form, so when you drink it, you consume it completely. This is unlike other teas because of the fact that, they are mostly in the leaf nature. You only drink the water or liquid extract from them. Thus, this makes the tea very important aspect for your body as it directly affects it. This is of course because of the fact that the tea has various benefits if a person consumes it regularly. Health wise, it has the powers to keep you fit, healthy, and active, all the daylong. This is why many people prefer to drink it daily.

Ulcerative Colitis

Matcha Tea has beneficial effects in ulcerative colitis. Its regular intake reduces inflammation, cramps and urgency in people with UC. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in the Matcha green tea is likely to improve the symptoms and prevents its aggravation of inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis. It is likely to be useful in cases of mild to moderate condition.

Antioxidant provider

The tea is very high in antioxidants, which is very important for a human body. They are the providers of nutrients and enzymes, which help a body to fight against radiation, pollutants, skin aging and stop a huge number of illness and diseases. It is said that one single cup of the Matcha tea can provide at least 5 times more antioxidants than any other food we eat.

Can beef up your energy levels

Matcha Green Tea increases energy level in the body. It makes person feel rejuvenating and refreshing. It has good amount of caffeine and other valuable nutrients, which keeps mind alert and attentive.

Matcha can burn calories

Drinking Matcha tea can help you to burn off your fats faster because it can help modulating fat metabolism in the body. It also improves digestion and makes better use of fats at optimum levels.

Immunity booster

Many people in Japan use Matcha to prevent, cure and manage a several types of diseases. It improves immune system and fights off diseases. Medicinal uses of Matcha tea are due to its immunomodulatory effects. It helps in autoimmune diseases and recurrent common ailments, which occurs only due to weakened immune system.

Reduces cancer and HIV risks

The Matcha tea is very high on EGCG (EPI-GALLO-CATECHIN-GALLATE), which has chemopreventive effects. It can also reduce cancer risks. In addition, the presence of EPIGALLOCATECHIN also helps to reduce the risks of having HIV. This might be due to immuno-modulatory effects of Matcha green tea.

Matcha can protect against viruses

EGCG (EPI-GALLO-CATECHIN-GALLATE) has anti-viral properties, which helps preventing viral infections including Influenza A, Herpes, Hepatitis B & C etc.

Matcha for heart diseases and diabetes

Matcha tea has the power to lower the triglycerides levels and due to a good antioxidant effects, it can prevent heart diseases. In addition, it reduces diabetes risks in people regularly consuming it. The Buddhist monks in Japan drink Matcha green tea on a regular basis and there are lower incidences of diabetes found in them.

Matcha Green Tea Powder Side Effects

Caution & Side Effects

However, Matcha tea is healthy beverage and has many beneficial effects in the body, but it does contain high amount of caffeine content, which may result in side effects. Its side effects include.

1. Loose stools or diarrhea
2. Sleeping disorders
3. Cardiac arrhythmia
4. Irritable bowel syndrome

In addition, allergy with Matcha tea may also occur if your body does not suit up with the tea.

If you are new to drinking the tea, it is advisable that you should consult a doctor or dietitian before drinking it regularly.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

People drinking Matcha tea on regular basis have found with iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, it is LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy and breastfeeding.