OTH for Matcha-Better Mornings

I used to be someone who couldn’t live without coffee.

Reality check: I can survive without my daily dose. But is dragging around all morning with a caffeine-depleted headache all that fun? Well, not unless you’re a masochist!

One recent Sunday morning, I woke up desperate. I mean red alert, SOS, H-E-L-P desperate. And as life goes, my coffee supply had just run dry, so problem: unresolved. The naturalist in me reasoned that downing a quick elixir of apple cider vinegar + water followed by some light exercise might get me by. Truth be told, going on a jog just sounded like the most logical way to reach a decent coffee shop faster.

Once I reached the Promised Land (aka Copper Mug Coffee) and was a little less delirious from the hydration and fresh air, I had a clearer head to pick my ‘drug of choice’: drip (nah)… americano (meh)… matcha (hmm!). I’ve never been much of a matcha-phile, but something about its nourishing earthiness and lingering sweetness deeply appealed to me. While I ordered my latte to-go, I wondered what is all the hype around matcha, and is it really any better for you than coffee? It seemed I’d have to sip my way to enlightenment.

Let’s start with a little history.

The word matcha literally translates to “powdered tea,” ma meaning rubbed or ground and cha meaning tea. With matcha you’re consuming the entire tea leaf (along with 100% of its benefits), whereas with conventional steeped green tea only a smaller fraction of the nutrients are available to you. The drink’s distinguishable bright green hue comes from the increased amount of chlorophyll content produced as a result from growing in the shade. More chlorophyll also means more vitamins, minerals, and therapeutic properties.

Adding to its soothing effect, the preparation of matcha incorporates the practice of zen meditation and is a focus of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Since meditation has proven to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, we can assume that the ritualistic aspect of preparing matcha offers myriad benefits beyond just the antioxidants it provides.

So matcha might make me more zen, but what other health benefits can I expect?

Matcha is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, and, like other tea plants, contains a certain class of plant-based compounds called catechins. A particular catechin found in matcha known as EGCG is believed to have cancer-fighting effects on the body, including the prevention of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The presence of this potent antioxidant may protect against cellular damage by limiting the effects of free radicals.

If matcha has caffeine, how is it better for me than coffee?

If you’ve ever tried matcha, you’ve probably noticed a more mellow caffeine response. Many people notice a ‘calm alertness’ when consuming matcha and an absence of the buzz (and crash) that is often associated with coffee. This is attributed to a substance called L-theanine (often taken as a supplement on its own) which is a relaxing agent without a sedative effect. Matcha contains as much as five times the amount of L-theanine as regular green tea, so it’s safe to say you’re getting your money’s worth.

So what does this mean for my relationship with coffee— are we breaking up?

I’m not saying you have to break it off completely with Joe (the java, that is), but you might find that matcha offers many of the same benefits of coffee (improved metabolism and heart health) without all of the negative side effects (dehydration, carcinogens, acidity…). It’s no wonder why so many modern wellness seekers are turning to the ancient practices of eastern culture for alternative antidotes— If they’ve worked for this many centuries, someone must have done something right! As trendy and ‘instagrammable’ as matcha has become, don’t forget that its even greater health benefits will last you longer than a picture.

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