#TuesdayTip Health Benefits of Green Tea & Matcha
I have to confess to not being a big fan of green tea, but during a visit to a coffee shop with my daughter, I ended up trying matcha made with almond milk. Yummy! What is matcha? Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder. It has more health benefits than regular green tea because you are eating the whole leaf and it hasn’t been processed so it contains more catechins and polyphenols than regular…
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Wondering how to make green mochi at home? Check out an easy recipe for the traditional Japanese rice cakes, prepared with a green tea filling.
from Fine Dining Lovers
from Blogger http://whenihavemoremoney.blogspot.com/2016/09/green-tea-mochi-matcha-mochi-cakes.html
Apparently there is this food/drink called Matcha, a fine green tea powder which has nearly 10x the antioxidant and detox properties as brewed green tea. Drinking matcha is also supposed to increase thermogenesis (calorie burn, I believe) from the body’s normal 8-10% to 35%.
I found a recipe for an organic Cacao Matcha Shake… it looks absolutely delicious.
Has anyone tried matcha? Do you feel you benefit from drinking it? Does it taste good?
This subtly sweet smoothie gets a flavor boost from matcha powder and extra creaminess from frozen banana.
Since they come from the same source, Matcha is sometimes confused with ordinary green tea. What mainly separates the two is the processing. Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that is ground from only the most tender parts of the dried lea leaves. These contain much higher amounts of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds than are found in the rest of the plant. Matcha often has over one hundred times the concentrations of these than regular green tea.
The preparation of Matcha is also different, where instead of being infused like tea leaves it is stirred directly into the hot water. This is usually done with specially made whisks and larger, bowl-like cups and can be highly ritualized and meditative, inducing feelings of relaxation and focusing attention before the tea has even been consumed.
Matcha increases the body’s ability to resist and fight illness in a variety of ways. It has antiseptic qualities that targets viral pathogens, inhibiting the mechanisms which allow infection. This is mainly due to a specific catechin known as EGCG, which functions as an equally effective antibacterial agent as well.
Matcha contains high amounts of flavonoids that reduce inflammation in infected areas and throughout the body. There are also a number of nutrients critical to the immune system provided in a serving of Matcha, such as vitamins C and A, potassium, calcium and iron.
Because Matcha Green Tea is not just an infusion but contains plant matter, it is an excellent source of chlorophyll. This is the molecule in plants that coverts the energy of the sun into chemical energy. Chlorophyll can bind to heavy metals like lead and mercury, removing them and other toxic substances from the body. It is also rich in oxygen, which is transported to the cells while carbon dioxide is removed. This facilitates the quick repair of damaged tissues as a result of more efficient circulation of oxygen in the blood.
Matcha is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. These are some of the most beneficial and powerful kinds of antioxidants, which help prevent cancer by eliminating free radicals from the body.
Free radicals are molecules that are unstable and capable of damaging cells through the removal of electrons, a process resulting in cumulative degradation in cellular structures as well as genetic material involved in cell replication. This can lead to the type of unregulated cell growth associated with cancer. Antioxidants not only help remove free radicals, they also can selectively target cancerous cells and inhibit their growth and spreading.
Drinking Matcha Green Tea has been known to effect weight loss and the reduction of body fat. One way it does this is by boosting the level of metabolic activity, which results in the burning body fat at around four times the usual rate. Matcha also helps regulate liver functioning and the production of enzymes, preventing the absorption and storage of fat in the tissues.
Matcha is particularly effective at controlling weight gain associated with metabolic syndrome, which typically occurs in areas like the stomach and sides. Exercising while including Matcha in the diet amplifies its effects on metabolism.
The fat burning properties of Matcha also assist with lowering the levels of LDL, a type of cholesterol known to be bad for cardiovascular health. It contains saponins that prevent the absorption of LDL in the intestines.
Drinking for an extended period, about three weeks or more, causes the concentration of creatine in the blood to diminish. The result is an elevation of the amount of HDL cholesterol, which is a good kind of cholesterol that helps clean the blood of LDL and maintain the inner walls of the blood vessels. This decreases the chances of hardening of the arteries and improves vascular resilience and functioning.
The cognitive benefits of Matcha due to the presence of L-Theanine, an amino acid that is only found in green tea. One of its effects is to boost levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can provide energy and focus without jitters or other sensations of tension or anxiety coffee or other caffeinated drinks can cause.
The caffeine content of Matcha is higher than regular green tea and other kinds like white or black, however, it is still much lower than coffee. Matcha can also improve memory function associated with aging and in cases of mild cognitive impairment.
The same ingredient that is responsible for stimulating effects of Matcha, the amino acid L-Theanine, is also what produces the relaxing and calming sensations. L-Theanine lowers the blood pressure and reduces hypertension, causing the body to become more physically relaxed without impairment of functioning. The brain waves are more easily induced into the alpha state, which is similar to what is achieved through meditation.
The improvements in mood result in better performance and greater confidence, especially if the soothing ritual of preparing and drinking Matcha can be incorporated into the daily routine.
All of these benefits of Matcha add up to a longer, more active and enjoyable life. Better responses to mental and physical stress, improved metabolic and circulatory functioning and prevention of potentially life threatening illnesses like cancer are all factors that play significant roles in longevity.
The high concentration of antioxidants preserves the cells and tissues and the removal of toxic substances by chlorophyll minimizes the kinds of damage that accumulate over time. Matcha improves functioning in many areas, most of which are vital to maintaining a healthy body and especially as age increases.
Matcha is very versatile and while tea is the most traditional way to consume it, there are a variety of recipes for both drinks and food that make it easier to incorporate into the diet. There are cold beverages like milkshakes for those who do not enjoy hot drinks or frozen treats for those who need a delicious but healthy snack. Matcha can be an acquired taste for some people, so drinking the recommend amount every day might seem challenging to them. However, the countless ways it can be used means it easy to make Matcha a part of any healthy diet. Purchase the best quality Matcha directly from our store and have it delivered straight to your door.
What are the health benefits of Matcha Green Tea?
The post What are the health benefits of Matcha Green Tea? appeared first on Matcha Green Tea Lover.
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However, many people don’t know that tea can also be sold as a powder, which is traditionally whisked and served with a bit of froth. This is true for Matcha, a Japanese green tea. There are many health benefits of Matcha tea.
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