Matcha Green Tea Benefits
Matcha is a type of high characteristic green tea that is covered before picking. This is done to accentuate its color before it gets stone ground and secured into small tins. Matcha green tea is hugely popular in Japan and is an basic part of tea ceremonies there. However, people in Asia and the West also often drink matcha green tea due to the various health benefits that it brings.
First of all, matcha tea is reported to contain very high levels of antioxidants. In fact, the level of antioxidants in matcha green tea is stated to be higher than that of blueberries and spinach. Using a procedure of testing known as ORAC, this has been confirmed by research done by Tufts University. Short for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, matcha green tea’s ORAC rating was found to be 1300 units/g, compared to 105 units/g in pomegranates and 91 units/g for wild blueberries.
In addition, matcha green tea is also famed to have cancer fighting catechins contained within. Although antioxidants are found in many food types, fruits and vegetables, not all of them contain the class known as catechins. Catechins are found only in green tea and might be the most potent antioxidant of all. Epicgallocatechin gallate, or EGCg for short, is the catechin with the strongest cancer fighting properties. Matcha green tea has been found to contain catechins with up to 60% EGCg inside. A single gram of matcha can contain up to 105 mg of total catechin content.
Another common health benefit associated with matcha green tea is its ability to cleanse the body of toxins. Chlorophyll, which is the pigment which give leaves their greenish tone, helps to remove heavy and metal and chemical toxins from our bodies. Matcha green tea is rich in chlorophyll and because it is fully ingested when consumed, it can give our bodies that much needed chlorophyll intake. Matcha green tea is also unlike tea leaves which are usually infused and then discarded. In addition, matcha is shade grown and this measure drastically increases its chlorophyll content.
Matcha green tea also contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid known to rest the mind. Due to this, matcha green tea can essentially act as a mood enhancer and this has been widely used by Buddhist monks to prolong and assist their meditation. Hence, a very notable benefit of matcha green tea is ability to induce a rest mind, serene settings and awareness of nature. Drinking tea alone will not convert you into a Zen monk but perhaps a daily tea ritual can vastly increase your sense of calmness and serenity. Ceremony grade green tea known as kama matcha is made using only the youngest and most tender tea leaves. This particular grade of matcha tea is expensive but also contains the highest levels of amino acids.
With all these benefits and more, it is no wonder that matcha green tea is fast gaining popularity all over the world.
Jack L L is the owner and creator of All Day Health Ltd Weight Loss, Skin Supplements, Vitamins, Health and Fitness. He is an expert in Health specialising in Weight Loss, Skin Care and Exercise and Fitness. He offers Advice and information which can be found here http://www.all-day-health.com/blog.
