History of matcha tea
In Japanese, "cha" means tea, and "ma" means powder , so the word matcha literally translates to tea powder. The first tea seeds are believed to have been brought to Japan from China by the Zen monk Eisai. The tea ceremony celebrates the profound beauty of simple things, the extraordinary in the ordinary, and aims to bring all participants into the here and now.
Using matcha tea as the focal point of the tea ceremony was a perfect choice, as matcha stimulates presence of mind, alertness, and a state of calm and meditation at the same time.
These profound physiological benefits of matcha, intuited by Japanese sages, are now confirmed by modern science, while groundbreaking studies on the health benefits of green tea are increasingly being published.
Matcha tea is the youngest leaf of green tea ( Camellia sinensis) It is protected from the sun and then ground into powder. Matcha tea is used to boost metabolism, promote weight loss, reduce stress, improve mood and memory, maintain liver health, prevent premature aging, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
These benefits are due to the fact that matcha tea contains large amounts of theanine, chlorophyll, and caffeine, providing potent antioxidant, thermogenic, stimulant, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective properties.
Benefits of matcha tea
Matcha tea is used in many parts of the world, and its benefits make it one of the most sold and consumed teas by people, as it is very popular on social media, which makes many more people aware of its benefits:
Reduces stress and anxiety
Matcha contains an amino acid known as L-Theanine , which increases the activity of alpha waves in the brain associated with the state of rest. This creates a feeling of relaxation and calm , which helps us reduce stress and anxiety.
Greater concentration
The calm and energy obtained thanks to the combination of theine and caffeine , turn out to increase the attention and, consequently, the concentration . And, unlike coffee, it doesn't make you nervous nor does it generate a feeling of depression or tiredness.
Great antioxidant power
It is a natural and very effective tea that contains a large amount of Antioxidants . Helps eliminate toxins and dioxins from the body, to achieve the hormonal balance , and reduce heavy metals that accumulate in the body. It even contributes positively to functioning of the immune system.
And, precisely, its antioxidant function also helps to reduce cholesterol already balance sugar levels in blood.
Improves digestion
The tea contains a type of vitamin B3 , known as niacin, which helps to reduce gastrointestinal problems and improves intestinal flora. In addition, it contains a high level of fiber and tannins , properties that improve intestinal transit and they work as laxatives.
Burn calories
It is a variety that includes components that accelerate metabolism and, therefore, more calories are burned. If you want to lose weight, it could be your great ally, as long as maintain a healthy lifestyle . On the other hand, it also allows you to lose weight because reduces fluids , thanks to the stimulation of kidney function.
Perfect skin
The the appearance of your skin will improve noticeably if you start consuming matcha tea. This is possible thanks to the elimination of free radicals , which cause skin aging. In fact, it is a drink that helps reduce wrinkles . It even combats dark circles and prepares the skin for sun exposure.
Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Matcha has been linked to prevention and reduction of the risk of heart problems . There are still not enough studies on this subject, but it could be very beneficial, as cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Spain.
Improve your oral health
Japanese tea contains fluorine and catechin , a polyphenolic antioxidant. Both properties help protect cells from free radicals, prevent the appearance of cavities and make it disappear bad breath.
Contributes to the disappearance of acne
Matcha green tea contributes to the elimination of skin fat and reduces the appearance of acne. Also, its power anti-inflammatory It helps to calm the areas that are reddened by this cause.
Ally against cancer
It seems that it can also reduce the risk of cancer . Matcha tea contains polyphenols, catechins and other substances that may protect our cells from possible damage in DNA. Therefore, its consumption could reduce or be an additional method of preventing this disease.
