Imagine a drink that helps you wake up, is filled with antioxidants, and contains almost no calories! That is matcha for you. It comes from the same plant as green tea, however, it is grown differently. Farmers cover the plant 20 to 30 days before the harvest to avoid the plant from getting direct sunlight. This helps increase the concentration of amino acids in the plant, along with multiplied chlorophyll production.
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Matcha contains a high concentration of catechins, which is a natural form of antioxidants. These substances help stabilize free radicals which are harmful compounds that damage cells in the body, reducing the immunity of the person. It is the cause of prolonged chronic diseases. One full teaspoon of matcha powder contains the nutrients of one leaf, which contains plenty of antioxidants. Having one cup of matcha tea everyday can do wonders for your health in the long term. Matcha is also excellent in protecting the liver, and improving its health. Liver is an immensely vital organ for the human body as it assists in flushing toxins out of the body and processing essential nutrients needed for survival. Matcha protects the liver by repairing its cells. A scientific study gave diabetec rats matcha for 16 weeks and found that it helps prevent not just liver damage but also kidney damage.
Other benefits of matcha include enhancing brain function. The brain is an important organ for performing not just high cognitive tasks but also simple tasks such as sight and hearing. Without the brain, humans can not function at all. There are several components in matcha that help improve brain function. A scientific study involved asking 23 people to do a series of tasks, needed to measure brain performance. Those that consumed matcha, as opposed to those who consumed a placebo, showed much better brain performance in terms of attention, memory, and reaction time. Instead of having coffee to prepare for a big exam, matcha could be a much better alternative since it also does not spike your energy levels. Instead, it maintains a higher energy level for a prolonged time period.