Matcha green tee powder is getting a lot of buzz in the health and fitness world right now. This powder, as it's name implies, is a ground green tea powder from a special green tea growth and harvest process. Because of this special process both before and after the tea is harvested, matcha has extremely high levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. In fact, matcha green tea has over 20 times more amino acids than it's super food counterparts such as blueberries, pomegranates, spinach, dark chocolate or orange juice. And, as much as 127 times the antioxidants of green tea. This greater antioxidant level is mainly because you are ingesting the entire green tea leaf rather than the steeped form found in green tea.
5 Benefits of Matcha
- Reduces the Risks of Cancer: This high concentration of antioxidants, specifically the antioxidant EGCG, has health benefits that go beyond your usual pot of green tea. EGCG is considered an anti-carcinogen that may help reduce our risks of cancer.
- Anti-Anxiety: Matcha is also high in the amino acid L-theanine that is required for healthy brain function. L-theanine is known to help reduce anxiety in the brain by increasing alpha wave activity. Researchers have found this to help calm the mind and bring mental clarity.
- Detoxifies the Body: Matcha is high in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll increases oxygen levels and binds with toxins to help remove them from the body. It has also been found to reduce the risk of cancer and the effects of radiation.
- Anti-Aging: Like anything with extremely high levels of antioxidants, matcha helps reduce aging by fighting free radicals. Free radicals are one of the main causes of aging and high levels of antioxidants reduce them in our body.
- Helps with Weight Loss: Green tea helps increase thermogenesis, thus helping us burn more calories. A recent study has also shown that drinking matcha before a workout could burn up to 25% more fat while exercising.
How to Use It
Matcha powder can be purchased at almost any health food store, or ordered through Amazon Prime. Since I am on the steady road to becoming a hermit, Amazon Prime is my prefered method. Once you get your matcha, you can use it in quite a few ways and may be eating it already without knowing it. Although matcha was created in China, it is now commonly used in Japanese cuisine for soba noodles, green tea ice cream, and mochi. Here are a few other ways I will be using it this month.
Teas
Of course, you can make matcha into a green tea. For this, just boil some water and add it to a cup with one tablespoon of matcha green tea. Wisk, and add any other flavorings you wish. Here is a great matcha and ginger tea recipe!
Smoothies
Matcha can be added to any smoothie for an extra bit of antioxidants, amino acids, and protein. Here are five great smoothie recipes that uses matcha, along with some of delicious things!
Baked Goods
Matcha can be added to, what seems like, any baked good there is. Pancakes, yes. tiramisu, you got it. But what is really interesting me is this rice krispie matcha recipe. Yes, please!
