Matcha Tea: A Key To Weight loss & Health Benefits

Camellia Sinensis, the green tea plant, heavily absorbs whatever is in its environment. Also, with Matcha, you are actually ingesting the entire tea leaf. Thus, it becomes extremely essential to ensure that you buy nothing but good quality Matcha Powder. So how can you assure that the one you are buying is organic Matcha? Well, listed below are a few points that will tell you the quality of the Matcha.

1. Colour

   Matcha is known for its bright, vibrant green colour. Thus, the very first way to get a better insight into the quality is to ensure that it is actually green in colour. You’ll often find low-quality Matcha that is very dull and brown in colour. Remember, the best Matcha is vibrant green in colour.

2. Origin

   Another factor that plays a vital role in the quality of the Matcha powder is the area where it is grown, harvested and processed. While it can be sourced from numerous countries, it's believed that the best quality comes from Japan. Uji and Nishio are the top regions in Japan where Matcha can be sourced.

3. Ingredients

   Just like any other food product, you need to check the ingredient list of Matcha tea beforehand in order to save yourself from any trouble or allergies; there are many companies out there offering Matcha with filler ingredients. Thus check the contents beforehand and ensure that it contains nothing but 100% pure Matcha tea powder and no artificial sugar, flavours or additives.

4. Consistency

   High-quality Matcha Tea is very fine and silky in nature, whereas, lower-grade Matcha powders will have a bigger particle size, which will give you a grainier sensation when rubbed between the fingers. The finely ground Matcha should mix in effortlessly. If your cup of Matcha green tea has a pile of residue settled at the bottom, it’s probably not of good quality.

Struggling to lose weight with natural ingredients? Well, drinking Matcha can help. A small study shows that the consumption of green tea can be related to reduced waist circumference and BMI (Body Mass Index). [1]

Matcha is a new health-promoting and weight loss drink that you may definitely want to incorporate into your weight loss diet plan. If you are still feeling sceptical about it, listed below are the few points that will help you understand the effectiveness of Matcha tea in weight loss. Let’s take a look:

1. Rich In Antioxidants

   Matcha tea is derived from Camellia Sinensis and contains Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), one of the most proactive and abundant antioxidants. A study by scientists at the University of Colorado shows that the amount of EGCG found in Matcha is 137 times more than the amount found in normal green tea. [2]

   The presence of antioxidants helps in stimulating the immune system and removing toxins while accelerating weight loss. As Matcha tea is rich in EGCG it helps in reducing the bad cholesterol levels.

2. Low in Calories

   Good news! Matcha tea is extremely low in calories. Studies reveal that 1 g of Matcha contains only 3 calories. This means, the fewer the calories, fewer the chance of calories not getting burned and being stored as fat.

3. Burns Fat

   If you want reduction in body weight, you definitely need to pay attention to your metabolism! Matcha tea is found to be rich in Catechins which helps to boost your body’s thermogenesis and metabolism as well. Besides this, drinking Matcha green tea can help to increase fat oxidation and benefit you by improving your exercise endurance while helping to mobilise or burn fat.

4. Lowers Stress

   Are you feeling stressed lately? Well, this might be the reason for your weight gain. Stress releases cortisol which increase your body's inflammation. This might not only make you feel tired and fatigued but will lead to weight gain as well. Matcha tea is also rich in amino acid L-Theanine that acts upon the brain’s functioning and promotes a state of relaxation.[5]

5. Provides Energy

   Researchers exhibit that drinking Matcha tea can help increase alertness and boost your energy levels while making you more proactive. With the increase in stamina and endurance levels, you can effectively achieve your weight management goals.

6. Balances Blood Glucose

   A constant rise in blood sugar levels can put you at risk of diabetics. Matcha tea contains a good amount of dietary fibre, which helps you keep fuller for a longer. This can help with lowering blood sugar levels. It will also prevent you from Type 2 diabetes. [4]

7. Helps in Detoxification

   Did you that detoxification can lead to weight loss? Well, yes it can. Bad lifestyle and eating habits build toxins in your body which eventually leads to weight gain. Matcha tea is rich with antioxidants which will help flush out harmful toxins and help with weight loss. This also helps in improving digestion, preventing constipation and boosting overall health.

• Protects the Liver
• Boosts brain function
• Helps prevent cancer
• Protects your heart
• Help lose weight
• Lowers cholesterol & blood pressure
• Better oral health
• Help with inflammation

As seen above, Matcha tea not only aids in weight loss but has numerous health benefits as well. All you need to do is prepare it in the right way.

Are you smitten by the healthy properties of Matcha Tea? If yes, this Matcha tea recipe is just for you.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Chawan, a traditional Japanese Matcha tea bowl
• Chasen, a bamboo whisk
• Chashaku, a bamboo scoop
• Sifter

Ingredients:

• Matcha powder – ½ teaspoon
• Water – 2-3 ounces heated at 185° F

Steps To Prepare Matcha Tea

1. Use Chashaku to measure a ½ teaspoon of Matcha powder and add it into a chawan.
2. Add 2-3 ounces of simmering water (185° F) to chawan.
3. Whisk the Matcha and hot water by using a chasen. That said; ensure to hold the chasen vertically and hardly touching the bowl bottom. Slowly stir the Matcha until it is completely dissolved.
4. Once the light foam is developed, lift the whisk slowly from the centre of the bowl.
5. Ta-da! Your Matcha tea is ready to enjoy!

It is safe to drink 3-5 cups of Matcha green tea every day. However, drinking 1-2 cups of Matcha tea is sufficient to get all the benefits of Matcha Tea.

But Why?

You’ll be astonished to know that 1-2 servings of Matcha green tea are equivalent to 10-20 cups of regular green tea! As a result, it is highly recommended to not overdrink it as it may make you experience an unpleasant rise in energy levels.

1. Why does the premium Matcha come from Japan?

   Well, Japanese uses traditional, centuries-old method to grow and harvest Matcha tea. Their traditional hands-on approach outperforms the Matcha tea made using machines.

2. How is Japanese Matcha made?

   Japanese Matcha is made using very young, shade-grown tea leaves. These handpicked leaves are later de-veined, steamed, air-dried and stone-grown into a very fine powder.

3. When is the best time to drink Matcha tea?

   It is recommended to drink it either first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon. Many athletes prefer having it before, during and after a workout or training.

4. Am I supposed to refrigerate the Matcha Tea?

   Yes, you should. Ideally, it should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Matcha is made from the same plant as green tea and so, it is compatible with fasting diet for weight loss. But, unlike green tea, it is made using the entire green tea leaf. This makes Matcha rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

From supporting weight loss to heart health, there are several studies revealing the health benefits of Matcha Tea and its components. The best part is that it is simple to prepare and taste delicious! Have you ever thought of giving a try to Matcha Latte? You definitely should.

If you aren’t a tea lover, you should definitely give a try to organic Matcha tea capsules! It can effortlessly incorporate into your diet and help you enjoy all the benefits of Matcha tea. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to go green! I mean it's time to enjoy relishing the benefits of green Matcha tea!

References:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMID: 15640470), Jan 2005
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMID: 14518774), Sep 2003
3. Self Nutrition Data
4. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMCID: PMC5481694), Mar 2014
5. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMID: 16930802), Aug 2006