Drinking matcha may provide some health benefits
October 5, 2022—Matcha—a type of powdered green tea—is touted as a superfood for the high amounts of potentially beneficial compounds it contains. These include antioxidants, which are thought to protect against cellular damage and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Few studies have focused specifically on matcha, but Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, noted in a September 27, 2022, New York Times article that there is strong evidence that green tea is a healthy beverage. Given that matcha has the same ingredients, it is probably safe to infer that it is as well, he said—as long as it’s consumed on its own without unhealthy extra ingredients.
“If you develop a habit of regular matcha consumption, in the long run you may get some health benefits,” Hu said. “But if you just sprinkle some matcha powder on top of chocolate ice cream, then I don’t think it will do much to help.”
Read New York Times article: Is Matcha Good for You?
