Move over, coffee. There’s a new cool drink in town!
We’ve all heard of matcha; the fancy green drink that is as versatile as it is tasty. There are matcha cakes, lattes, ice creams, jelly, candies – or you could just drink it plain! Anyone who has had a great cup of matcha latte comes out a convert.
But, why is there so much more superior about matcha than any other cup of tea?
It’s because when brewing normal tea leaves, we throw away most of the goodness because water can only extract a fraction of the tea’s benefits from its leaves. The majority of the good nutrients actually remain trapped in the tea leaves. Matcha is essentially finely ground powder made from whole Japanese green tea leaves, which are unheated to preserve their nutrients and far less processed than regular green tea leaves, so by drinking it you gain all of the benefits from this superfood.
So, here is why you need to be a matcha convert!
1.It loads you up with antioxidants
View this post on Instagram
Any health conscious person would tell you that antioxidants are the new black. What it does is prevent the oxidation of other molecules in the body (and that’s the thing that causes aging). And, lucky for us, matcha is loaded with this stuff! One cup of matcha can have as many antioxidants as 10 cups of brewed green tea! It’s the best around since coffee doesn’t even contain catechins, a family of antioxidants that have been linked to improved ageing and cancer fighting.
2.It boosts metabolism and helps burn fats
View this post on Instagram
If you read a diet book, there would probably be a paragraph on matcha and how it helps you burn fat. It’s a well known fact that matcha helps in weight loss, but how is that done? It is because consuming matcha increases thermogenesis, the body’s own rate of burning calories, from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43%. Studies from all over the world have also demonstrated that exercising immediately after drinking matcha green tea resulted in 25% more fat burning during exercise.
3.It gives you a clean caffeine hit
View this post on Instagram
So, matcha contains caffeine. Duh. But instead of the jitters you get when you drink coffee, it gives you a sort of “clean high”. A matcha buzz is much more energising and longer-lasting, due to the amino acid L-Theanine found inside it! Amino acid L-Theanine slows the release of caffeine and has a calming, relaxing effect, which is why we feel really good after drinking matcha.
Have we made our case for matcha yet? Let us know in the comment section below!
Header Image : Wikipedia | A Cozy Kitchen
