Daniela DeFeo is a certified health coach, published author, lifestyle/fitness model and wellness brand ambassador. She encourages a holistic approach to wellness by advocating the importance of health, fitness, nutrition, self-care and sustainable living.
By Daniela DeFeo
If your caffeine beverage of choice is a cup of coffee, you may want to reconsider and go green with matcha tea.
Considered one of mother nature’s most powerful superfoods, matcha brings to life a powerhouse beverage that will fuel your caffeine fix without the crash. Derived from green tea leaves that are specially grown and finely ground into a powder, this age-old tea contains valuable antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that fight off free radicals, fortify the immune system and boost energy. With higher amounts of caffeine and antioxidants than coffee or green tea, matcha has been enjoyed for centuries and is highly revered for its healthful benefits, supporting a strong body inside and out.
Here’s how matcha can pump up your health and fitness goals:
Antioxidants
Matcha is jam-packed with antioxidant power that may help to fight off free radicals. These harmful containments invade the body, attacking cells and tissues and causing hardening of the arteries, stiff joints, vision issues and wrinkled skin. Consuming antioxidant-dense foods such as matcha may aid to neutralize toxins and better equip the body at combatting chronic diseases, aging and other ailments. Extracting all the valuable nutrients that comes from grinding up the whole leaf yields a powerful arsenal of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. One cup of matcha has as many antioxidants as 10 brewed cups of green tea and 20 times more than blueberries or pomegranates!
Weight Loss
Get a little help shedding those unwanted pounds with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant found in matcha. Consuming matcha tea as part of your diet may provide metabolic health benefits as it can boost your metabolism thereby increasing the rate at which fat is burned, and likewise, decrease the formation of new fat cells. So, if your focus is on managing your weight or dropping a few pounds, swapping your java for a cup for matcha will get you on the road to achieving your fitness goals.
Detoxification
Matcha helps to detoxify the body. Because of its special growing process, the high levels of chlorophyll found in matcha give it that glorious, vibrant colour and make it renowned as a natural detoxifier. With its powerful cleansing properties, it helps to eliminate heavy metals and chemicals from the body, safely purging harmful substances that could otherwise wreak havoc on your system. Consuming this green goodness as your go-to beverage will assist to remedy your intestinal ailments and promote a healthy gut environment.
Focus
The bountiful nutrients found in matcha promote concentration and clarity of mind without the nervous, jittery energy associated with coffee. Although matcha contains caffeine, it’s the amino acid L-theanine in this mighty green powder that helps to create a state of calm alertness. With a combination of this and its other natural properties, drinkers are found to experience a boost of energy throughout the day, without the crash.
Consider getting your caffeine fix with a cup of matcha tea. Hailed as being an energy stimulator, immune booster and weight loss and digestion supporter, it’s no wonder it’s considered one of the healthiest beverages since ancient times.
References- Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. Int J Biomed Sci. 2008 Jun;4(2):89-96.
- Zelman KM. All about matcha. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-all-about-matcha. Published June 1, 2020.
- Dodd FL, Kennedy DO, Riby LM, Haskell-Ramsay CF. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of caffeine and L-theanine both alone and in combination on cerebral blood flow, cognition and mood.Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2015 Jul;232(14):2563-76.
- Health benefits of matcha tea. Matcha Source. https://matchasource.com/health-benefits-of-matcha-tea/.
- Ware M. Is matcha good for you, and how can you use it? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305289. Published November 6, 2019.
- Lang A. How do matcha and coffee compare? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/matcha-vs-coffee#pros-and-cons. Published December 15, 2020.
- Xu P, Ying L, Hong G, Wang Y. The effects of the aqueous extract and residue of Matcha on the antioxidant status and lipid and glucose levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Funct. 2016 Jan;7(1):294-300.
For more info on Daniela Defeo, check out her website at deevitawellness.com and follow Daniela on Instagram @deevitareflections or right here at Muscle Insider at Daniela Defeo.
