Benefits of Matcha Green Tea Capsules and Powder

What is Matcha Green Tea?

Matcha is a type of finely powdered green tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What makes matcha unique is that the green tea plants used for matcha are shade grown for about 3 weeks before they are harvested. This shade growing process increases the chlorophyll levels and amino acid content in the leaves, giving matcha its vibrant green color and distinct flavor.

After harvest, the leaves go through a grinding process that turns them into a fine bright green powder that is then whisked with hot water to make the matcha tea drink. Since you are ingesting the actual tea leaves with matcha and not just steeping the leaves in water, you end up getting a more concentrated source of nutrients.

Nutrition Facts of Matcha Powder

Here are some of the key nutrients found in a standard 1 teaspoon (2 grams) serving of matcha powder:

• 35 mg of caffeine
• 60 calories
• 5 g carbohydrates
• 2 g protein
• Vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E
• Potassium, calcium, iron
• Catechins and polyphenols such as EGCg
• Chlorophyll
• Amino acids such as L-theanine

Benefits of Regular Matcha Consumption

Here are some of the evidenced-based health benefits associated with drinking matcha green tea:

• Boosts metabolism and aids weight loss: The combination of matcha's caffeine and EGCg has been found to boost metabolism and enable faster fat burning.
• Reduces risk of heart disease: Matcha tea helps lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure - all protective factors against heart disease.
• Detoxifies the body: The catechins help flush out toxins and chemicals that can build up over time.
• Improves dental health: Some research shows the catechins can suppress bacteria growth and prevent tooth decay or halitosis.
• Enhances mood, memory and concentration: Contains amino acids and theanine known to promote alpha brain waves and relaxed alertness.
• Rich in antioxidants: Ranked very high in ORAC score with plenty of catechins that act as disease-fighting antioxidants for immunity.

Matcha Green Tea Capsules

While matcha was traditionally always prepared as a hot tea beverage, matcha green tea capsules have become another popular way for people to get in their daily dose of matcha powder.

Benefits of Matcha Capsules

Here are some of the reasons why using matcha green tea extract capsules can be advantageous:

• Convenient on-the-go option: Capsules are easier to bring with you than making a cup of hot tea.
• Skip the bitter taste: Some people dislike the bold vegetal taste of matcha powder, so pills are flavorless.
• Higher concentrations: Capsules may contain more powder per serving than whats in a drink.
• Added ingredients: Some capsules also include complementary ingredients like turmeric for added benefits.
• Precise dosing: Each capsule contains a measured amount, unlike a scoop of matcha powder.

What to Look for in Matcha Capsules

If you want to give matcha capsules a try, here is what to look for when comparing products:

• Organic certification confirms clean growing methods without chemicals were used.
• Harvest date should be within 12 months or it may start losing potency.
• Added ingredients like ginger, turmeric or black pepper may provide additional health perks.
• Verify quality testing like for heavy metals has been done for safety.
• Amount of EGCg should be at least 60 mg per capsule for therapeutic benefits.

How to Take Matcha Capsules

It's best to follow the dosage instructions listed on your specific matcha capsule supplement bottle. But some general guidelines include:

• Take 1-2 capsules per day with water or juice.
• Best taken about 30 minutes before meals for optimal nutrient absorption.
• Can be taken in morning, afternoon or evening based on preference.
• Start with lower end of dose range to assess tolerance.

Comparing Regular Brewed Green Tea

Since matcha powder is derived from the green tea plant, it's common for people to compare it to regular brewed green tea. While green tea and matcha share many similarities and benefits, there are some distinct differences between the two teas worth noting.

Green Tea Overview

Most green tea is made by steeping tea leaves or tea bags in hot water for 2-3 minutes before drinking. Some key points about regular brewed green tea include:

• Made from Camellia sinensis leaves that are pan-fried then dried.
• Contains EGCg, vitamin C, amino acids like L-theanine.
• Typically has 25-50 mg caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
• Has about a 3 hour half-life so the antioxidant effects taper off.

How Matcha Compares

When comparing green tea to matcha powder, keep these comparisons in mind:

• Higher in antioxidants: Pound for pound, matcha has a lot more catechins and EGCg than regular green tea.
• Added chlorophyll: The shaded growing boosts matcha's natural chlorophyll levels.
• More caffeine: Matcha has about 70 mg caffeine per cup compared to 30-50 mg per cup of green tea.
• Longer lasting effects: The catechins in matcha can provide benefits for up to 6 hours compared to just 2-3 hours with green tea.

Which is Healthier?

Both regular steeping green tea and matcha powder have excellent health-boosting properties with minimal risks or side effects. However, thanks to matcha's added chlorophyll, higher EGCg concentrations, and ability to make the catechins last longer in your body, matcha generally seems to have more powerful and longer lasting wellness advantages.

Other Matcha Products to Try

While matcha powder is commonly used to make hot tea drinks, there are plenty of other fun ways you can incorporate it into your diet too. Some ideas include:

• Matcha drinks: Smoothies, lattes, frozen drinks, alcohol cocktails
• Matcha desserts: Ice cream, chocolate, pastries, doughnuts
• Matcha snacks: Energy bites, protein bars, trail mix
• Matcha meals: Stir frys, matcha soup broths, salad dressings

Experiment with adding a half or full teaspoon of ceremonial grade matcha powder into any food or beverage to give it a nutritional and antioxidant boost!

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about matcha green tea capsules:

Are there any side effects from taking matcha capsules?

For most healthy adults, taking matcha capsules

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.