Why is Matcha Green Tea Good for Weight Loss?
Why is Matcha Green Tea Good for Weight Loss?
Posted on August 12, 2020 | by Steve O'Dell
Losing it With Matcha
If you’ve done any research on weight loss at all, you’ve probably come across matcha or, at the very least, green tea. That same research might very well likely be what lead you here. And, if you’ve never heard it, well now you have.
But, what you might not have come across while researching healthy weight loss is WHY matcha is good for weight loss. Why is matcha better than green tea? Does matcha speed up your metabolism? Does it cut cravings? Does it give you more energy? How exactly does matcha help you lose weight?
This dingy old cloud of unknowing will hang over you no longer, cause we’re going to open up the skies and shine a little light on the subject. So, if you really wanna know why matcha is so beneficial for weight loss, keep on reading.
On the other hand, if you’re happy just knowing the what, rather than the why, you can always pop on over here, order some matcha right now, and get your weight loss journey started.
Is Matcha Just the Next Trend?
You know what we’re talking about. Keto, The Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet, Nutri System. In the ever-changing world of weight loss, everyone seems to have the best and newest thing to help you shed those extra pounds. It’s easy to think that matcha might be just another one of these fads. But before you brush it off as the latest and greatest, know that matcha has been around for literally centuries. And, matcha isn't just trendy nonsense, we have some science to back up our claims. So stick around for the long haul, because matcha sure has.
If you want to read more about matcha and what exactly it is, you can do so here. We recommend it if you’re new to matcha because there’s a surprising amount to learn about this magic green powder.
Does Matcha Help With Weight Loss?
That’s a big, resounding. YES.
But like we said, we’re here to give you the how and why of it, and that time has finally come. Why is matcha good for weight loss? Let’s count the reasons.
1. Calorie Content
Sometimes it feels like we’re living in a world of deception. Even the drinks that seem super healthy on the surface are packed to the brim with processed sugars and calories. That’s not the case with matcha though. With only 3 calories per serving, matcha is the perfect drink to accompany a calorie-conscious individual.
2.Matcha & The Metabolism
Matcha isn’t just good for boosting your metabolism, it’s great. And technically, it’s not the matcha that boosts your digestive system, it’s the super-powerful antioxidant, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) that should be getting all the credit. EGCG reduces inflammation and speeds up the metabolic rate of cells. This means that when when you’re doing nothing, matcha is helping you burn off more calories.
3. Matcha Cuts Those Cravings
Remember when we said that EGCG reduces inflammation? Well, not only does this help soothe your metabolism, but it also helps reduce snack cravings between meals. An irritated digestive system absorbs fats of all kinds in order to protect itself. But, a healthy gut selectively allows certain fats and nutrients through. After drinking matcha, your body is satisfied.
Matcha has also been shown to regulate the production of the hormone, Leptin. This is important because this is the hormone your body releases when hungry. But everyone has off days, even your body, and occasionally Leptin will leak into your system at inappropriate times. A cup of matcha can be the perfect thing to keep Leptin at bay.
4. Matcha Burns Fat
When your body burns fat, it uses a biochemical process to break large fat proteins down, into small triglycerides that can then be processed. Catechins help facilitate this process, making it easier to break down difficult fats and turn them into energy. This increases the body’s thermogenesis by up to 4 times its usual rate. And, guess what healthy beverage is rich in catechins? If you guessed matcha, not only are you right, but you’re also starting to get the hang of this.
5. Balance in the Body
Blood sugar spikes are not just experienced by diabetics. And although they are much more severe for anyone with this condition, these spikes affect everyone once and awhile. Matcha is high in fiber, which helps prevent overeating and therefore aids in maintaining balanced glucose levels. Which means that matcha can help to prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes. But, it’s not just for diabetics or insulin-resistant individuals, everyone benefits from balanced glucose levels.
6. Reduces Stress
Unfortunately, stress is an unavoidable part of life. Even more, unfortunately, stress has been directly linked to weight gain. From lack of sleep to binge eating, stress is the worst enemy of anyone trying to lose weight. This is one aspect of weight loss that matcha is uniquely suited to.
Matcha contains a large amount of an antioxidant called, L-theanine. L-theanine helps to control and regulate the production of the stress hormone cortisol. So, matcha will aid in weight loss, and boost your overall quality of life, simply by helping your body manage its cortisol production.
7. Matcha Gives You Energy
It’s not so much about the amount of energy matcha gives you, as it is about the type. Truth be told, coffee has much more caffeine than matcha. As soon as you drink a cup, the caffeine surges through your body causing an instant awake feeling, followed by a crash. The rich and complex group of amino acids in Matcha prevent this from happening. So instead of a quick, burst of energy, you receive a sustained flow of energy for several hours. No crash and no caffeine jitters.
What does matcha energy mean for weight loss? Well, with more energy you’re more likely to put extra effort into your workout, cook meals instead of ordering out, and you’ll actually sleep better. All of which, are crucial for weight loss.
Why Not Drink Green Tea For Weight Loss Instead?
First things first, we’re not throwing green tea under the bus. It’s a healthy beverage that’s delicious and possesses a lot of the same health benefits as matcha. But “the same” doesn’t always mean equal. It’s true that matcha and green tea come from the same plant. It is also true that green tea and matcha are good for weight loss. However, matcha and green tea don’t contain equal amounts of the nutrients, amino acids, and antioxidants that give them these special properties. Matcha is significantly more potent, which also means that matcha is better for weight loss.
From the very beginning of the growing process, the plants destined to be matcha are treated much differently than those designated for green tea. Matcha is protected from the sun, in order to preserve its bright green color and all of its nutrients. When ready, the entire leaves are ground into a fine powder, which you then mix up at home. This gives matcha another edge over green tea. Not only are the nutrients in green less potent because they’ve been exposed to the elements for longer, but green tea is also only steeped. When you drink matcha, you’re consuming the entire leaf, albeit in a powdered form. With green tea, you dip a bag into a cup of warm water and remove it minutes later, simultaneously removing the majority of its nutrients and minerals.
So, the tea that’s most beneficial for weight loss is, in fact, matcha.
Matcha is Good For Weight Loss
The bottom line is that matcha has been strongly linked to accelerated weight loss. You can read more about the science of it here. But just know that matcha gives you the energy you need to fuel your workouts, the help your body needs to digest fats, and so much more. Matcha has even been shown to reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases. In general, it is just an extremely healthy beverage that your body loves.
So whether you want to get a headstart on your weight loss journey, or are just looking for something that’s tasty and good for you, give matcha a try. Mix it up with water to enjoy it as it has been for centuries or head on over to our recipe page for a little creative inspiration. There’s a lot to love about matcha, and weight loss is just one small part of that.
Featured Image Credit for this blog post belongs to: David Dewitt
