The Matcha High: Why Matcha Makes You Feel Great
The Matcha High: Why Matcha Makes You Feel Great
Posted on October 28, 2020 | by Steve O'Dell
Good Vibrations
In the legendary words of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, Yo, it’s about that time, to bring forth the rhythm and the rhyme. And, the rhythm in the rhyme, in this case, is matcha. Any matcha drinker can relate to the peaceful happiness one experiences after mixing up some matcha. But what is it about matcha exactly that gives you that feel-good feeling?
Let’s say you’re about to go on your morning run and you need a little bit of caffeine to get you going. Sure, a large cup of iced coffee will get you the kick you need but chances are that it will be accompanied by that all too familiar anxious jitteriness. That’s because coffee has negative effects on the neurotransmitters in your brain, specifically the absorption of the molecule gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Because of this, heavy consumption of the caffeine in coffee has been directly associated with anxiety, irritability, and an increase in self-criticism.
So, how are you supposed to fuel your morning workout and start the day off on a positive foot? Brewing up a morning batch of matcha tea might just be the answer. When you drink matcha, you’ll get that same burst of energy as coffee except, without the troublesome jitters and impending caffeine crash. The caffeine boost you get from matcha differs greatly from the one you get from drinking coffee. This is because caffeine from coffee jets through your bloodstream all at once and is quickly filtered out. However, the caffeine in matcha is brought on gradually, which allows for both relaxation and alertness at the same time. You feel energized, but not jumpy and jittery. So you can fuel up before your morning run and take a power nap afterward.
The Recipe for Matcha Magic
But that’s not the only reason that matcha gives you that feel-good feeling. In fact, the magic of matcha comes from a variety of different sources, which is why we often think of matcha as a superfood.
A Dash of L-Theanine
for happy, healthy energy
Along with giving your body the dose of caffeine it needs to get going, drinking matcha can also aid in reducing depression and anxiety. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Matcha tea has high levels of l-theanine, an amino acid that contains many health benefits, one of which is combatting depression. L-theanine has been shown to alter the amounts of dopamine and serotonin that the brain emits. By increasing the amount of dopamine and serotonin in one’s brain, matcha can help improve your mood and drown out any negative thoughts. Mood improvements have also been shown to improve cognitive and learning abilities, so you could almost say that match makes you smarter. At the same time, it’s also been shown that the l-theanine, found in matcha, can improve your memory.
A Sprinkle of Polyphenols
for a fast metabolism
Matcha has also been proven to boost your metabolism and help you lose weight. Although drinking matcha alone without exercising and/or healthy eating won’t be a magical cure, ( it’s matcha magic, not magic matcha) combining the three will drastically improve your weight loss experience. Polyphenols are the star of this show. They’re a group of catechins that have been proven to increase metabolism. Polyphenols are found in unusually large quantities in matcha powder. Due to its amino acids, rich antioxidants, and chemical compounds, matcha has also been known to serve as the perfect natural detox for anyone looking to burn fat. Matcha also aids in digestion and helps you maintain a healthy gut. The more cups of matcha you drink, the more you’ll rid your body of unwanted toxins that are being stored in your digestive system.
A Dollop of EGCG
for a strong immune system
Move over, ginger shots, because matcha is the real deal. Now, more than ever, people are seeking out ways to boost their immune systems and stay healthy. Thankfully, you can do that with a tasty cup or shot of matcha. Aside from the amino acid hero, l-theanine, matcha tea also contains a catechin called EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), which boosts the immune system.
The way that EGCG boosts our immune systems is by increasing the amount of T-cells that our body produces. T-cells work with B-cells to help fight off antibodies or foreign toxins that may have entered our body. For example, if you get the flu, T-cells are responsible for making sure that you get rid of the flu in a speedy and timely manner. They’re also responsible for trying to fight off pathogens before they’re able to fully enter the body. Drinking ceremonial grade matcha (the highest quality matcha) will ensure that you receive double the amount of EGCGs that you would normally receive in a cup of regular green tea.
A Smidgen of Catechins
for fresh breath
Whether you’re a garlic and onion lover or just diligent about bad breath, you’ve likely fallen on mints and gum to combat any lingering smells. But, breath mints and gum will only last you for a few minutes before you need to re-up. You could go through an entire pack of gum and still find the taste and smell of garlic lingering. If you want a natural and effective way to freshen up your breath, drink matcha tea. The catechins that we mentioned above, EGCG and l-theanine among others, help your mouth maintain a healthy ecosystem. They naturally clean up any build-up on the teeth and gum, helping your mouth stay fresh and clean. Drinking matcha tea is a delicious and easy way to maintain fresh breath.
More Magic from Matcha
We’ve touched on just a few of the ways that matcha makes you feel good, both inside and out but that’s just the beginning. The magic of matcha stems from it’s purest properties and is best received in an unaltered form. Which is really just a fancy way of saying that you can’t pop a few matcha donuts and expect to see the same results (although they are quite delicious). At the end of the day, matcha not only tastes superb, but it also contains an abundance of health benefits that leave you feeling good and ready to take on the day.
