Recently, you may have noticed the popularity of matcha. But what is matcha, and why are so many people trying it? Well, matcha is tasty, and, even better, many health benefits are associated with the green powder. Here are a few reasons people have started drinking matcha.

Simple and Meditative Preparation Process

If you are familiar with matcha, you may know there are physical health benefits, but you may overlook the mental health benefits. Matcha tea consists of a powder made of ground-up green tea leaves that is added to boiling water and whisked with a special bamboo whisk. It has been used in tea ceremonies for hundreds of years in Japan. The process of making matcha can be very meditative and relaxing. Having a ritual or meditative activity can be extremely beneficial to one’s mental health.

Rich in Antioxidants

“Antioxidant” has been a buzz word for many years in the health and wellness community. The reason for this is that they are shown to stabilize free radicals in your body. Free radicals are atoms that are responsible for aging and many chronic diseases. Since matcha is using the entire green tea leaf instead of steeping the leaves like in a traditional tea, you get more of this antioxidant power. The source of the antioxidants in matcha is from a compound called catechins. The catechins in matcha have been shown to be 137 times greater than a standard cup of green tea.

Dentist Approved

This beverage does wonders for your dental health. Not only do the catechins mentioned previously bring antioxidants to the table, but they also have antibacterial qualities. This is great news for your teeth as they act as plaque cleaners for your teeth. This can prevent cavities and other mouth disease. In fact, it’s so good at this job some dentists consider it a liquid floss and mouthwash, too! Additionally, it could save you a few trips to the cosmetic dentist. Switching to matcha from coffee in the morning will likely prevent you from needing teeth whitening treatments.

Your Organs Love It

Matcha has been shown to improve function in your brain, liver, and heart. There is more research to be done on this topic, but results from studies so far have been promising. Studies done on the liver have shown drinking matcha decreases the risk of liver disease and decreases the level of liver enzymes associated with liver damage.

The brain power matcha provides is also very impressive. Matcha contains L-theanine, a compound that assists the body in processing caffeine. It promotes awakeness and can help prevent the afternoon crash that caffeine is usually accompanied with. L-theanine has also been shown to help people with anxiety feel a sense of calm and relaxation. This is a nice alternative because high levels of caffeine in coffee beverages can produce panic in people with anxiety.

Since heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, people are interested in ways to prevent it. Matcha provides an answer by reducing your level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It has also been shown to help reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol.

Hopefully, your interest is piqued on the matcha craze. Give it a shot the next time you visit a coffee shop. Your tastebuds and body will thank you!