Why You Should Try Matcha

By Stepy Kamei

Every so often, our modern culture seems to suddenly pluck a health remedy or recipe from another culture and seemingly relative obscurity, only to place it on a pedestal and revere it feverishly. Of course, there's plenty to benefit when it comes to learning about a different culture's secrets to health and wellness. It seems that matcha is one such example of this phenomenon. There's a good chance you may have heard of matcha, but you may not know much about it, other than the fact that it's a form of green tea. So, what exactly is matcha, and can it really benefit your health the way many nutritionists and health experts claim it can?

Matcha: A Beginner's Guide

Matcha is a form of green tea. If you've ever had green tea, you'll be somewhat familiar with the taste of matcha. Essentially, matcha is a much more potent form of its more popular relative, green tea. Green tea is brewed from steeping tea leaves which have been plucked early in the harvesting process. Matcha, however, is created when those same tea leaves are ground up into a very fine powder. This is why it's stronger and more potent than regular tea. Instead of steeping leaves in hot water, you actually scoop the powder into hot water. This way, you're getting a more direct line to the health benefits found in regular green tea.

The Health Benefits of Matcha

Think of matcha as providing the health benefits of green tea, only magnified and in a more direct form. To start, matcha is full of antioxidants, which are great for protecting your skin from free radicals, as well as improving the way your skin looks and feels. Furthermore, matcha contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid that releases serotonin, GABA, and dopamine into the bloodstream, and creates a calming effect. This compound also has been shown to improve cognitive function such as focus and creative thinking skills.

Matcha can provide a boost in energy and mental clarity, but it doesn't tend to have the same jittery and anxiety-inducing effect that can so often plague those who drink coffee. Therefore, many mental health experts stand firmly behind matcha as a great drink of choice.

Trying Matcha For Yourself (Is Easy To Do)!

If you want to try out matcha for yourself, consider finding a local tea shop that can prepare it for you. If you're ready to try it yourself, you'll need matcha powder (avoid brands that cut it with sugar), a mixing bowl, and a whisk. You'll add the powder to the bowl, then whisk it quickly as you slowly add hot water into the bowl. Then, drink up and enjoy the benefits!

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rocklin, Calif.