Health Benefits of Matcha Tea

Nancy janssens
Sep 5, 2025
10 min read

We will discuss this:

-Foreword

- Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: An Overview

-All the benefits of Matcha at a glance

-Discussion of benefits

Foreword

We've split Matcha's blog into two parts:

Part 1: What is MATCHA Tea, Dosage, Quality, Matcha vs. Green Tea

Part 2: Health Benefits of Matcha

All articles we show are written in English

Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: An Overview

1-Catechins

2-Caffeine

3-Phenolic acids

4-Rutin

5-Quercetin

6-Vitamin C

7-Chlorophyll

8-Theanine

See article

These chemical compositions give Matcha many health benefits. See drawing

1-Catechin in Matcha

Studies confirming the high antioxidant potential of tea beverages claim that it comes from the higher content of catechins, a type of phenolic compound with beneficial effects on human health.

Green tea contains four important catechins, namely:

1-epicatechin (EC),

2-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG),

3-epigallocatechin (EGC)

4-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the latter of which is the most active and abundant in Matcha

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epicatechin are the main active substances of the catechin type and are therefore present in the highest amounts in plant products.

See article

See blog what is EGCG (dr josh axe arts)

Tea-derived catechins exhibit excellent antioxidant activity due to their ability to neutralize free radicals and stimulate the detoxification activity of enzymes , including glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase. Researchers have reported that catechins have a greater antioxidant capacity than glutathione, vitamin C, and flavonoids, demonstrating their key role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis.

Best food source of catechins (powerful antioxidant)

(Dr. Axe Josh physician)

Research also shows that Matcha tea contains significantly more catechins than other types of tea, such as regular green tea.

According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, green tea is one of the best food sources of a group of antioxidants known as catechins. See article

Catechins are believed to be even more powerful than both vitamin C and E in stopping oxidative damage to cells. Antioxidants like catechins play a key role in health and disease. Studies show they may help protect against chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. See article

2-Caffeine in Matcha

Matcha has a relatively high caffeine content compared to other green teas, giving it a unique aroma and flavor. The caffeine content in green tea was found to range between 11.3 and 24.67 mg/g, while in matcha it was between 18.9 and 44.4 mg/g.

For comparison, most coffee beans contain 10.0-12.0 mg caffeine/g bean.

Caffeine is a powerful antioxidant. The amount of caffeine can be related to the time of harvest and the age of the leaves: the older the leaves, the lower the caffeine content. Caffeine content also depends on the tea variety, the weather conditions during the growing season, and the brewing method.

Caffeine's effects are rooted in its antioxidant potential, which neutralizes reactive oxygen species and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity and total glutathione levels. In normal doses, caffeine can reduce persistent oxidative stress, thus decreasing the prevalence of free radical-mediated diseases. Furthermore, caffeine can inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects. See article

3-Phenolic acids in Matcha

Phenolic acids are characterized by high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, in addition to neuroprotective and hypoglycemic effects. They have also been reported to inhibit cancer cell growth and prevent metastasis. Some phenolic acids, by modulating lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, can support the regulation of metabolic disorders. See article

4-Rutin in Matcha

According to this study, Matcha green tea has an exceptionally high rutin content compared to other teas available on the market.

Rutin, a polyphenolic compound, is a powerful antioxidant. Its synergistic interaction with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can enhance the protective effects of both substances on the cardiovascular system, strengthening blood vessels.

It also has anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer potential for preventing conditions caused by free radicals or inflammation, including neurodegenerative diseases. See article

5-Quercetin in Matcha

Quercetin is a phytochemical with antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. Furthermore, combining quercetin with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG = catechins) can enhance the anticancer effects of both. The quercetin content in the aqueous extract of matcha was measured by Schröder et al. at 1.2 mg/ml, which is slightly higher than in traditional green tea (1.1 mg/ml). See article .

6-Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful exogenous antioxidant. Its properties strengthen the body's immune defenses. It is an essential micronutrient in the human diet that must be provided in sufficient quantities daily. The study showed that matcha infusions contained 32.12 to 44.8 mg/L of vitamin C, depending on the temperature of the water used to prepare the infusion and the type of tea.

In the study, Matcha was found to contain more than double the amount of vitamin C of other green teas. See article

7-Chlorophyll in Matcha

Thanks to shade cultivation, Matcha tea has an elevated chlorophyll content, which is responsible for its unique vibrant color. Chlorophyll and its derivatives exhibit strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The chlorophyll content in Matcha Tencha leaves was higher than in traditional green tea, at 5.65 mg/g and 4.33 mg/g, respectively. See article

Benefits of chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a plant for the blood

Chlorophyll is almost identical to our own blood .

Chlorophyll cleanses the blood

Chlorophyll cleanses the intestines

Chlorophyll increases the number of red blood cells

Chlorophyll supplies the blood with oxygen

Chlorophyll alkalizes the blood

Chlorophyll helps fight diseases

Chlorophyll strengthens your immune system

Chlorophyll is anti-inflammatory

Chlorophyll is an antioxidant

Chlorophyll protects you against cancer

Dr. Robert Young (biologist) concludes in his research that health begins with healthy blood. Chlorophyll makes your blood healthy. It purifies and cleanses the blood.

8-Theanine

Theanine is an amino acid found in the Camellia sinensis tea plant. Due to the shade-grown plants used for matcha production, theanine is not broken down. As a result, Tencha leaves contain higher amounts than other teas.

The relatively high theanine content in matcha tea is responsible for its unique, non-bitter flavor, and combined with caffeine, it provides the taste sensation and umami characteristic of this type of tea. The combination of l-theanine and caffeine can improve concentration, alertness, and efficiency more than either compound alone, thereby also relieving stress. Zia Article

Benefits of theanine include:

-Anxiety, depression and other mood-related disorders

-Insomnia and sleep problems

-Cognitive loss, dementia, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia

-Heart attack, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems

-Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

-Poor attention --> good for focus

-Dependence on substances --> fewer addictive effects

-It may help improve the effects of drugs used to treat cancer drugs

High levels of L-Theanine for an alert rest (Dr. Axe Josh-Arts)

Matcha is said to induce a feeling of “wakeful calm,” thanks to its powerful combination of L-theanine and caffeine .

See article

Drinking Matcha green tea can increase L-theanine levels and promote alpha waves, leading to a state of relaxed alertness (as shown in animal studies and clinical trials). See article

L-theanine also helps increase levels of dopamine and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain , which could be beneficial for conditions like anxiety and depression. See article

What is GABA: See blog by Dr. Josh Axe (physician)

Due to the conditions in which it is grown, it is estimated that Matcha tea can contain up to five times as much L-theanine as regular green tea. See article

All the benefits of Matcha at a glance

-A high source of antioxidants

-Detoxifies the body-detox

-Liver protection

-Anti-inflammatory

-Anticancer

-Improved cognitive function such as improved memory, better learning ability

-Good for the heart and blood vessels

-Reduces stress and anxiety

-Weight loss

-Improves sports performance

-Good for treating diabetes

-Promote fertility

Discussion of benefits

Antioxidants

The health benefits associated with Japanese green tea have been linked to its high antioxidant content.

See article

A high content of polyphenols, amino acids (mainly tannins) and caffeine may increase the antioxidant properties of the drink.

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants, almost as effective as vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene, and tocopherol. In matcha, catechins make up 90% of these polyphenols. This article provides a complete study on antioxidants in matcha. See the article .

In this article, they demonstrated that matcha effectively downregulated oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Matcha can counteract acidification. See article.

2-Anti-cancer effects

In vitro studies have shown that matcha has an antitumor effect. It can reduce mitochondrial metabolism, ATP production, and oxygen consumption in breast cancer cells.

See article

Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits cancer stem cell (CSC) proliferation by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis, and multiple cell signaling pathways. See article

This article lists specific types of cancer that Matcha has been shown to benefit. See article

Specific forms of cancer such as:

Bladder cancer: A study of 882 women found that the risk of bladder cancer was significantly reduced in women who consumed Matcha. See article

Breast cancer: A meta-analysis of multiple observational studies found that women who drank the most green tea had a 22 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer.

See article

Colorectal and rectal cancer: A study of 69,710 Chinese women aged 40 to 70 found that green tea drinkers had a 57 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer. An inverse association with regular tea drinking was also observed for rectal cancer.

See article

Prostate cancer: A large study found that Japanese men who drank five or more cups of green tea a day had a 48 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer. See article

3-Promotes weight loss

Several studies have shown that Matcha tea can help promote and maintain weight loss.

For example, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking tea high in catechins for 12 weeks led to significant reductions in fat mass, body mass index, body weight, and waist circumference compared to a control group. See article

Similarly, a study from the Netherlands reported that the catechins found in green tea and matcha may help reduce body weight and maintain weight loss. See article

Other research has shown that Matcha can increase metabolism and boost fat burning, See article

Which can also promote long-term weight loss. See article

4-Detoxifies the body

Matcha's rich green color is a result of its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is a type of plant pigment responsible for absorbing light during photosynthesis, which creates energy. Benefits of chlorophyll (doctor)

The fact that Matcha is carefully grown in the shade makes it significantly richer in chlorophyll compared to other teas.

See article

The chlorophyll found in Matcha also aids in detoxification and can help remove unwanted toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals from the body.

See article

For this reason, consuming a daily cup of Matcha tea is a great detox drink – it supports your body's natural ability to detoxify itself – and an easy way to increase your chlorophyll intake.

Moringa is another superfood green powder that also contains chlorophyll and aids detoxification. Matcha and Moringa are a perfect combination. Moringa Benefits

5-May help protect the liver

Since Matcha can aid in detoxification, it's no surprise that it can also help protect liver health. See article

A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, conducted on mice, found that Matcha green tea "targets the gut-liver axis to alleviate obesity and metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet." Researchers also found that this targeting of the gut-liver axis may help with liver function and potentially prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. See article

6-Benefits of Sports Performance

Clinical trials suggest that Matcha green tea can help accelerate muscle recovery in athletes focused on high-intensity workouts, such as burst training. It has also been shown to reverse cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, which can help prevent muscle and tissue damage.

An animal model published in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology found that administering EGCG to mice with chronic fatigue syndrome helped reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exercise. See article

Similar findings were also revealed in humans in a 2023 study published in Nutrition Journal. In the study, "healthy, untrained men were randomized to drink a beverage containing 1.5 grams of matcha green tea powder or a placebo beverage twice daily and participated in resistance training programs. See article

After an eight-week trial, the matcha group saw a greater increase in maximal leg strength and lower subjective post-exercise fatigue than the placebo group. After the twelve-week trial, "the change in skeletal muscle mass in response to training was greater in the matcha group. Furthermore, salivary cortisol levels were lower in the matcha group than in the placebo group."

Meanwhile, other studies show that combining green tea with physical activity can increase energy expenditure, increase fat burning, improve endurance, and reduce muscle damage.

7- Reduces the risk of heart disease and hypertension

Some studies show that green tea is rich in antioxidants and catechins and may help reduce the risk of heart problems. See article

A study of more than 40,000 people even found that those who drank more than five cups of green tea daily had a 26 percent lower risk of death from heart attack or stroke compared to those who drank less than one cup of green tea daily. See article

Other studies have shown that green tea consumption can help lower cholesterol levels ( see article ) and lower blood pressure to protect against heart disease. See article

8. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes

Making a few healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent type 2 diabetes. Research shows that adding matcha tea to your diet can be particularly beneficial.

For example, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and other risk factors. See article

Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that green tea consumption lowered blood sugar levels and improved long-term blood sugar control. Not only that, but green tea also led to a significant reduction in insulin levels. See article

9-Protects brain health

For example, a 2020 study concluded that “daily supplementation with Matcha Green Tea Powder has protective effects against cognitive decline in community-dwelling older women.”

See article

Meanwhile, a 2021 randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of daily matcha and caffeine consumption on stress-related cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. It found that people who consumed matcha daily "improved both attention and work performance when experiencing psychological stress, compared to caffeine alone." See article

10-May promote fertility

A 2022 study found that long-term tea consumption significantly increased sperm concentration and was associated with higher sperm counts in men who drink matcha. See article

Further research has shown that the polyphenols in green tea may help improve fertility in men. See article

It appears that matcha may also benefit female fertility by helping to reduce the risk of reproductive disorders. While more research is needed to definitively determine how much matcha tea can benefit female fertility, it is believed that the catechins, particularly EGCG, may help protect women against reproductive disorders. See article

11- Supports bone health

Several studies have shown that consuming green tea protects bone health. For example, postmenopausal women in Korea who did not drink at least one cup of green tea per day were more likely to develop osteopenia than those who did, according to a 2022 study. See article

Meanwhile, laboratory studies indicate that consuming green tea may help prevent osteoporosis and bone loss ( see article ), as green tea supports bone metabolism. See article

Many of these osteoprotective effects are believed to be due to the catechins in Matcha tea. See article

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