The secret to the health benefits of matcha! The benefits of catechins and how to consume them effectively.

I've heard that matcha is good for your health, but what kind of effects does it have?
In fact, one of the health benefits of matcha is catechin, which has many benefits for our bodies, including antioxidant effects, immune regulating functions, and changes to body fat and blood sugar levels.
In this article, we will explain the benefits of catechins in matcha and introduce effective ways to consume it for daily health and beauty. Start drinking matcha today and start your day off healthy.


Characteristics of matcha catechins and their differences from green tea
Matcha is a traditional food that originated in China and was introduced to Japan over 800 years ago (1) .
It contains the umami component theanine, bitter and astringent components catechin, caffeine, and other flavorings (2) .
Matcha contains several types of catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), each of which has different effects and benefits (3) .
It is also said that the difference between this tea and green tea lies in the cultivation and manufacturing methods.
Matcha is made by steaming, drying and powdering tea leaves, allowing you to consume all of the nutrients in the tea leaves.
On the other hand, when drinking green tea, the components that dissolve in the extracted water or hot water are consumed, so the amount of catechins consumed is low.
In other words, matcha can be said to be a food that allows you to efficiently consume catechins and other nutrients.
However, it is important to remember that high-quality matcha tends to have more of the umami component theanine and less of the bitter component catechin due to a cultivation method known as “covering” (2) .


Five expected health benefits of matcha catechins
Here are five health benefits expected from matcha catechins.
● Antioxidant effect ● Immune regulation function ● Reduction of body fat and blood sugar levels ● Cancer prevention ● Stress reduction effect Let's take a look at the characteristics and details of each.

Antioxidant effect <br role="presentation">The catechins contained in matcha have excellent antioxidant activity and suppress the action of free radicals that are generated by breathing, stress, ultraviolet rays, smoking, etc. (3)
When present in appropriate amounts, active enzymes function as part of the immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, but if produced in excess they can damage normal cells.
The catechins in matcha help protect cells by suppressing oxidation.
It has also been suggested that it may be useful for beauty and anti-aging care, protecting the skin from UV damage and preventing the appearance of blemishes and freckles (4) .


Immune regulation function
The catechins in matcha protect immune cells from the harmful effects of active enzymes and support their normal functioning (5) .
One of the catechins, epigallocatechin, is a compound that is expected to regulate the immune system and is known to be more soluble in water than in hot water (5) .
Recently, brown rice tea containing matcha has become available on the market, so if you want to boost your immune function, we recommend drinking matcha as a cold brew drink.
Additionally, research has shown that drinking tea increases the secretion of IgA, which helps prevent the invasion of pathogens and viruses, so matcha may also be effective in preventing colds (6) .


Reduction of body fat and blood sugar levels <br role="presentation">The catechins contained in tea help break down and absorb sugar, and suppress the accumulation of body fat.
With regards to the accumulation of body fat, this is because epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) promotes lipid metabolism in the liver and suppresses fatty acid synthesis.
In addition, with regard to blood sugar levels, results have shown that epicatechin gallate (ECG) suppresses sugar absorption in the small intestine, lowering blood levels.
In this way, tea is expected to have the potential to prevent lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and dyslipidemia.


Cancer prevention
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contained in tea leaves is also thought to have the potential to prevent cancer.
For example, it prevents the development of cancer through various actions, such as preventing the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to cancer cells and preventing tumors from mutating into cancer cells.
The catechins contained in tea leaves are expected to be effective in suppressing and preventing many types of cancer, including skin cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and intestinal cancer.


Stress reduction effect <br role="presentation">The catechins contained in matcha are also known to have a stress reduction effect. This is related to the "theanine" contained in matcha.
One study showed that drinking 3g of matcha in 500ml of water was more effective at reducing stress than drinking the powdered tea (7) .
Drinking matcha can also have a relaxing and refreshing effect.


How to effectively consume matcha catechins<br role="presentation">To consume catechins efficiently, be sure to pay attention to the following three points when drinking.
● Drink at appropriate intervals ● Use hot water of 80 degrees or more ● Drink with foods containing vitamin C The catechins contained in matcha are natural antioxidants that are poorly absorbed and easily excreted from the body (8) .
Therefore, it is recommended that you drink it regularly.
Since blood levels peak 1 to 2 hours after taking the drug, it is best to take it at an appropriate interval (8) .
In addition, catechin, the component that gives tea its bitter and astringent taste, is extracted at high temperatures (80°C or above), so it is most effective when drunk warm (9) .
It is also said that taking catechins with vitamin C can have a synergistic antioxidant effect (3) .

Appropriate amount of matcha and points to note <br role="presentation">The appropriate amount of matcha is approximately 1 to 3 cups per day.
It is believed that drinking matcha regularly can provide benefits even if you go several days without drinking it (2) .
On the other hand, you should be careful not to consume too much caffeine. One cup of matcha contains 1.5g of caffeine, which is 48mg (10) .
Health Canada recommends a maximum caffeine intake of 400 mg per day for adults, and 300 mg for pregnant and breastfeeding women (10) .
Caffeine is also found in energy drinks, coffee, tea, etc., so if you drink it habitually, be careful about the amount you consume each day.


Enjoy healthy days with matcha catechins!
Matcha contains several types of catechins, which are expected to have antioxidant effects, regulate immune function, and lower body fat and blood sugar levels.
Another attractive feature is that it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as dissolving it in warm water, mixing it with milk to make a latte, or using it in sweets.
Be careful not to consume too much, but incorporate it into your daily life to stay healthy every day.