The other day, I saw a television commercial for Dunkin Donuts stating they are now offering matcha green tea lattes. Dunkin Donuts? Beyond that, many restaurants have added matcha-based desserts to their menus. You might think enjoying matcha green tea is a passing health trend, but it’s been around for longer than you think. 900 years ago, Chinese Zen Buddhist monks were drinking it.

In case you’re not aware of its origins, matcha is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant, just like traditional green tea, but the method of growing it is different. Farmers cover the tea plants for 20 to 30 days, avoiding direct sunlight to boost chlorophyll and antioxidant production. Why is this important?

The megadose of catechins and polyphenols that matcha powder packs has been proven to help reduce cell damage, deactivate harmful free radicals, decrease inflammation, and prevent chronic disease. While there are many benefits to organic green tea, here are our top 6.

1 | Gives Your Skin A Glow

Let’s talk about those pesky free radicals. As stated, matcha green tea helps deactivate them and prevent the inflammation that leads to premature aging, as well as reducing the redness that can be associated with chronic skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.

Also, your complexion will glow with the help of matcha’s ability to eliminate dead skin cells, absorb oil, reduce puffiness, and facilitate the rejuvenation process.

2 | Packed with Antioxidants

Matcha green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than green tea, 125 times more than spinach, 17 times more than blueberries, and 6 times more than goji berries, and on and on. This superfood is rated the highest antioxidant of all superfoods.

3 | Enhances Brain Functionality

Multiple studies have proven that matcha enhances brain function, increasing attention span, boosting response times, and enhancing memory recall. It also contains L-theanine, which is a compound that promotes alertness and prevents energy crashes. With matcha, you can get an energy charge without the jitters.

4 | Protects Your Heart

Heart disease is one of the top causes of death worldwide, and its rate is increasing swiftly each year. Matcha green tea helps prevent heart disease by reducing harmful LDL cholesterol levels and lowering and balancing triglycerides. Studies suggest that matcha can prevent strokes and heart disease overall.

5 | Contributes to Weight Loss

Drinking matcha green tea between meals can help you feel fuller longer due to EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which increases the CCK (cholecystokinin) hormone that signals to your brain that you’re full. In addition, it naturally increases your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories. It’s no surprise that green tea extract is an ingredient in most weight loss supplements.

6 | Improves Oral Health

Did you know that 90% of bad breath is caused by bacterial cavities? For my coffee drinkers, bacteria reproduce faster due to coffee’s acidity, and if you like fancy coffees with milk, creamers, and/or sweeteners, the bacteria overgrowth hits overdrive. Adding matcha to your daily routine helps prevent cavities from forming, reduces plaque buildup, and inhibits bacteria from growing.

All matcha is not created equal. What’s the difference between culinary and ceremonial grade matcha green tea? The short of it is, culinary grade matcha is used for making matcha lattes, shakes, and smoothies, while ceremonial grade matcha is used exclusively for making tea to be consumed immediately.

Since ceremonial grade matcha is derived from the youngest tea leaves, it is considered superior because of its smoother flavor. Incorporating matcha as part of your health regimen is a win-win. Purchase our USDA certified organic ceremonial matcha green tea today and taste the difference.