Referred to as an antioxidant powerhouse, Matcha is a type of green tea that is made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a powder. Matcha originated in China during the period of the Tang dynasty. It’s extracted from the green tea plant (Camellia Sinensis), but grown in a unique way.
The biggest peculiarity of matcha tea is that there are a huge amount of antioxidants present in Matcha Tea. In fact, it has more antioxidants than all other varieties of tea.
Shading the tea bushes boosts the amino acid and chlorophyll content in Matcha, making it a superior daily detox. It also contains a high amount of natural tea flavonoids such as catechins, EGCG, which help restore and preserve the body’s integral well-being and balance.
According to a report from Transparency Market Research, the Matcha tea market is predicted to achieve significant growth by 2025. This report notes that the global market growth is driven mainly by the increasing demand for Matcha tea among consumers because of its many health benefits.
Here are some primary health benefits of Matcha tea:
Helps in weight loss
Matcha could be a great addition to your weight loss program, as it boosts metabolism and burns fat. This green tea contains a high amount of vitamin C, chromium, selenium, magnesium and zinc which help in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar and in turn helping with weight loss.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that green tea increased thermogenesis from 8-10% to 35-43% of daily energy expenditure. Green tea catechins and other high antioxidant content in Matcha tea help to reduce fat in the body. These antioxidants help to flush out toxins, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation, thus preventing weight gain and accelerating weight loss.
Keeps your liver healthy
Consuming Matcha green tea also helps in protecting the liver from diseases. Several researches indicate that drinking green tea is associated with a decreased risk of liver disease. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Connecticut points out the effects of green tea on NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
Green tea that is rich in polyphenolic catechins includes hypolipidemic, thermogenic, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory activities that may lessen the occurrence and progression of NAFLD.
Improves brain function
Matcha contains high amounts of L-Theanines that are natural amino acids, known to reduce stress and anxiety, leading to increased mental clarity and focus. L-Theanine produces chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin that are ideal to enhance mood, improve memory, and promote better concentration. Several studies have linked matcha tea consumption to improvements in brain function, increased attention and enhanced memory.
Protects from heart diseases
One of the key benefits of Matcha is that it helps lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Studies highlight that green tea reduces the levels of total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. Flavonoids in this tea also reduce blood pressure, reduce the risk of clot formation and atherosclerosis, and prevent some inflammation in the vascular system.
Reduces risk of diabetes
Studies conducted by the Institute of Natural Medicine at the University of Toyama in Japan and the Toyama University Comprehensive Chinese Medicine Research Institute found that Matcha is good for diabetic patients, as it can assist them in keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and medical supervision. The EGCG in Matcha doesn’t allow the vascular muscle cells to soften, which is caused by blood glucose levels.
Fights cancer
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea and it has cancer-fighting properties. These antioxidants in Matcha have been found to inhibit cancer growth in the prostate, lung, stomach and breast areas. It also blocks enzymes that help to maintain cancer cells in the cell cycle and increases the levels of important cellular proteins that make it very difficult for cancer cells to grow.
Matcha can also strengthen immune system, fight against HIV, protect the skin texture, and build a stronger bone structure. There are lots of matcha recipes you can prepare at home and these could be added to your health-oriented diets.
Health Issues Could Contribute to Increasing Energy Use
Health issues could affect the environment indirectly through increased energy usage in healthcare settings. As healthcare settings are open 24 hours a day, they have increased energy needs. The energy use has been reported to be higher in sectors such as heating, ventilation and energy management.
A report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) finds that at the Massachusetts General Hospital Gray Building, the end-use categories that consumed the most annual site energy were:
- reheat and heating (27% combined)
- “other electric loads (including lighting)” (21%)
- steam piping distribution losses (14%)
- fans (13%)
- chiller plant energy allocated to the building (10%)
This hospital building’s overall site energy use intensity (EUI) was 407 kBtu/ft2·yr.
In the same way, the end-use energy statistics for the State University of New York Upstate Medical University East Wing were:
- fans (63.0 kBtu/ft2 ·yr)
- reheat and heating (53.6 kBtu/ft2 ·yr combined)
- lighting (28.9 kBtu/ft2 ·yr)
- chiller energy allocated to this building (26.8 kBtu/ft2 ·yr) and
- pumps (14.4 kBtu/ft2 ·yr)
The American Energy Assets recommends retrofitting, as it allows energy to be distributed with the highest efficiency while reducing costs dramatically. Reducing energy use is also critical to help everyone in the fight against climate change.
Proper Lifestyle Changes Could Reduce Health Issues
Studies report that certain lifestyle changes in diet and levels of physical activity can improve the health of the entire community.
Key steps to a healthy lifestyle include:
- Exercise daily
- Eat healthy
- Don’t deprive yourself of favorite foods
- Keep weight under control
- Practice yoga/meditation
- Have a positive attitude
- Focus on time management
- Stay hydrated
- Find time for hobbies
- Maintain personal hygiene
- Take enough rest
Proper lifestyle and diet changes along with the consumption of Matcha green tea play a critical role in managing a number of chronic health issues, reduces energy use in the long run, and thereby contributes to a greener environment.
Author Bio: Catalin is the founder of Ecommerce Platforms and Unblock. He blogs about matcha, Japanese lifestyle, and mindfulness at matcha-tea.com. He’s a design enthusiast and loves matcha, and is uber passionate about blockchain technology and travel.
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