{"id":277831,"date":"2026-02-11T01:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T01:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/277831\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T01:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T01:21:10","slug":"dietitians-share-7-surprising-health-benefits-of-matcha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/277831\/","title":{"rendered":"Dietitians Share 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Matcha"},"content":{"rendered":"

The benefits of matcha go far beyond its vibrant green color. This green tea has been proven to help prevent chronic disease, support heart health, boost metabolism, improve focus, and aid in weight loss<\/a>, among numerous other benefits. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not familiar with matcha<\/a>, it\u2019s a concentrated green tea<\/a> powder made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis tea plant. It\u2019s low-calorie and has a distinctive flavor that\u2019s generally sweeter than other green teas. Some people also find it tastes slightly earthy. In addition to mixing it with water to make tea, you can also stir matcha powder into milk, Greek yogurt, baked goods, and other foods to add color and flavor. <\/p>\n

Curious about the health benefits of this buzzy drink? Here\u2019s what research and experts say. <\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Nadia De La Vega<\/a> is the director of tea sustainability and content at DAVIDsTEA.
Sarah Olszewski, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N.<\/a> is a nutrition advisor for Cure<\/a>. Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N. is the author of Mostly Plant-Based. Ana Reisdorf is a registered dietitian and founder of GLP-1 Hub<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Matcha benefits<\/p>\n

Put simply, matcha boasts all the benefits of regular loose leaf green tea and then some. Why? \u201cBecause it\u2019s a powdered tea, you\u2019re actually ingesting all the benefits of the full leaf,\u201d explains De La Vega. Here\u2019s a more specific breakdown of its pros.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s antioxidant-rich and could help prevent chronic disease<\/p>\n

\u201cMatcha is packed with catechins, a type of antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thus possibly reducing risk of cancer,\u201d explains Olszewski. More specifically, Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N., author of Mostly Plant-Based adds that matcha contains the catechinn epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a particularly powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body\u2019s cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. \u201cOxidative stress and damage have been linked to various health issues, including aging, certain chronic diseases, and cancer,\u201d she reiterates. <\/p>\n

It may support balanced cholesterol and heart health<\/p>\n

Matcha has also been linked<\/a> to lower levels of \u201cbad\u201d LDL cholesterol and higher \u201cgood\u201d levels of HDL cholesterol, explains Olszewski, which could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. <\/p>\n

It could support liver function<\/p>\n

Matcha contains chlorophyll, a pigment that\u2019s responsible for its vibrant green color and is known for its detoxifying properties, explains Olszewski. Chlorophyll helps flush out toxins and heavy metals from the body, she adds, \u201cwhich can assist in maintaining healthy liver function.\u201d More research needs to be done to confirm this, but one study<\/a> conducted on a population of 180 Chinese adults found it to reduce certain toxin biomarkers by 55% compared to placebo.<\/p>\n

It may improve insulin sensitivity <\/p>\n

\u201cSome studies<\/a> suggest that matcha may improve insulin sensitivity, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes<\/a>,\u201d says Syn. Impaired insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance<\/a> is a condition commonly associated with diabetes in which the body builds up a tolerance to insulin, a hormone that helps the body break down glucose, making insulin less effective and therefore increasing risk for blood sugar-related health complications.<\/p>\n

It provides a crash-free boost of caffeine <\/p>\n

\u201cThe caffeine content of matcha is higher than regular green tea, but lower than coffee, providing a gentle, sustained energy boost without the jitters and crash often associated with coffee,\u201d explains Olszewski.
<\/p>\n

It could improve focus<\/p>\n

Matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and alertness, explains Olszewski. \u201cWhen combined with the natural caffeine in matcha, L-theanine provides a balanced, calm focus, which can improve cognitive function and concentration,\u201d she adds. Studies have corroborated this\u2014a 2021 one published in <\/a>Nutrients<\/a> found it to improve attention and executive function in a group of 51 older adults.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been studied as a metabolism booster<\/p>\n

Some studies suggest that the catechins, particularly EGCG, in matcha may aid in weight management by boosting metabolism and fat oxidation, explains Olszewski. The caffeine in matcha may also help increase thermogenesis, resulting in a slight boost to your metabolic rate, potentially aiding in weight management, adds Syn. The caffeine in matcha can also provide an energy boost, which may improve exercise performance.<\/p>\n

Is matcha good for weight loss? <\/p>\n

For all the reasons listed above, when prepared traditionally without added sweeteners, matcha is a low-calorie drink option that can be helpful for weight management, says Olszewski. \u201cSome studies have suggested that green tea, including matcha, may have an impact on appetite regulation, leading to reduced calorie intake,\u201d adds Syn. <\/p>\n

\u201cMatcha helps mildly with weight loss as the catechins in green tea, particularly EGCG and caffeine, have been shown to speed up metabolism and help you burn more fat,\u201d says Ana Reisdorf, a registered dietitian and founder of GLP-1 Hub<\/a>. \u201cHowever, the effect is small and wouldn\u2019t result in significant weight loss on its own.\u201d<\/p>\n

In one review of scientific studies<\/a>, researchers found body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were reduced in obese subjects who consumed green tea. That said, researchers point out that green tea consumption should be combined with a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity.<\/p>\n

Matcha is low in calories, containing around 12 calories per teaspoon<\/a>. While sweetened matcha or matcha mixed with milk will contain more calories, it\u2019s almost always lower in calories than beverages like soda<\/a>. Swapping out a soda or syrupy latte for matcha can help you reduce the number of calories you\u2019re consuming, which can contribute to weight loss. <\/p>\n

Matcha vs. green tea<\/p>\n

\u201cEach tea type comes from the same plant called Camellia sinensis,\u201d explains De La Vega. \u201cThrough different processing methods we get different tea varieties. Matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves that have undergone specific growing and processing techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olszewski adds: \u201cGreen tea generally has a much lighter flavor, while the flavor of matcha is richer and more distinct.\u201d<\/p>\n

How often should you drink matcha?<\/p>\n

The Food and Drug Administration<\/a> recommends a maximum of 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day, and 1 cup of matcha has around 20 to 37 mg of caffeine, explains De La Vega. So, there should be very little concern about reaching that daily limit with the drink. For reference, a cup of coffee contains roughly 95 to 100 mg of caffeine, per the United States Department of Agriculture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a general guideline, most people can safely consume one to two servings of matcha per day,\u201d adds Olszewski. \u201cHowever, keep in mind that individual tolerance to caffeine and personal health considerations should always be taken into account.\u201d <\/p>\n

How to prepare matcha tea <\/p>\n

To properly prepare matcha, you need the right tools: the tea itself, a matcha spoon, and a bamboo whisk. Then it\u2019s as simple as measuring out three to five half-teaspoons of powder depending on how strong you like it, adding warm water, and whisking the two together. <\/p>\n

Directions for matcha tea preparation, per De La Vega: <\/p>\n

Using a matcha spoon (half-teaspoon), scoop three to five spoonfuls of matcha powder into a shallow bowl for whiskingAdd 4 ounces of warm water (170\u00b0F) and whisk until foamy, using a swift horizontal, back-and-forth motion Pour matcha into a 16-ounce mug and add hot water or milk, if desired<\/p>\n

There are plenty of powders on the market, but our experts have a few favorites. Shop their matcha picks below and enjoy.<\/p>\n

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