Daily matcha may benefit brain, heart, gut health
April 30, 2024 — Drinking a daily cup or two of matcha—a form of powdered green tea—may provide a number of health benefits.
According to an April 18 AARP article, matcha has been linked to improved cognitive health in older women, healthy changes to the gut microbiome, and lower stress, and was found to prevent atherosclerosis in an animal study. There have also been studies suggesting that the beverage might help slow premature aging and reduce risk of certain cancers, but more research is needed.
Researchers believe that matcha’s potential health benefits may be because it contains a high concentration of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant-rich nutrient.
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, and other experts quoted in the article suggested that people looking to add matcha to their daily routines be aware that it does contain caffeine—more than other teas but less than coffee—and avoid consuming it with added sugars or processed ingredients.
Read the AARP article: 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Matcha Tea
Learn more
Drinking matcha may provide some health benefits (Harvard Chan School news)
Photo: iStock / chokja