Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
- Author, Ameer Ahmed
- Role, BBC World Service
If you neva see picture of pesin wey hold cup of dis green coloured tea on social media – you probably need to refresh your feed.
Di drink in question? Na matcha.
From TikTok to Instagram, influencers don help to boost di drink popularity, leaving Gen Z consumers to dey queue for cafes to get a taste.
But matcha dey far from new. E dey widely produced in Japan, di green tea powder na centuries-old staple, wey dey deeply rooted inside Japanese tradition and dem dey typically serve am for tea ceremonies country. In recent years, e don see a modern twist, e dey often appear in hot and iced lattes, desserts and even skincare products.
Matcha na a type of green tea made from specially grown leaves of di Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike regular green tea, wey dem dey make from loose leaves or tea bags, dem dey whisk finely ground matcha powder inside hot water or milk.
"Green tea dey well-studied for im health benefits, and matcha na just a more concentrated version, but more studies need to be done on potential benefits," Miranda Galati, one Canadian registered dietitian tok.
But matcha dey as good for us as social media make am be like?
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Di health benefits of matcha
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
Matcha dey rich in antioxidants – substances wey dey help protect your body from cell damage and lower di risk of chronic diseases.
One study published by scientists from Konkuk University for Seoul find say matcha contain up to 10 times more antioxidants dan regular green tea.
Green tea and matcha dey closely related, green tea dey help wit weight loss due to im high level of antioxidants. Studies show say green tea dey help increase your metabolism and fat burning, e dey helped by im high levels of caffeine.
A typical serving of matcha latte (one teaspoon of matcha powder) contain around 38-176mg of caffeine. Dis na less caffeine dan a typical cup of coffee.
However, Galati say matcha fit get a more slightly 'calming effect' dan coffee due to im L-theanine content according to sabi pipo.
"Di amino acid inside matcha fit get benefits for di nervous system, helping with stress relief, anxiety ease and reduce insomnia," she tok.
Some studies don link some of di compounds for matcha – including antioxidants and oda components like chlorophyll, caffeine and L-theanine – wit improved brain function.
Caffeine dey known to act on di central nervous system, increasing metabolism throughout di brain, as well as heightening alertness and your memory.
Research wey University of Shizuoka conduct for Japan suggest say matcha fit offer cognitive benefits.
Di study, wey dem publish for di National Library of Medicine, involve 12 elderly participants—two men and ten women—wey consume two grams of green tea powder daily over a two-month period. Di findings indicate signs of improved brain function.
But e no dey all good
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
Like wit all sources of caffeine, E dey best to consume matcha in moderation.
Matcha contain more caffeine dan green tea and excessive caffeine intake fit get negative effect such as anxiety, insomnia and increased heart rate.
Caffeine increase your alertness, wey fit dey seen as beneficial. However, consuming too much fit trigger di release of adrenaline ("fight-or-flight" hormone), wey dey temporarily increase energy but fit also lead to feelings of anxiety or stress.
Di recommended maximum daily caffeine intake for adults na 400mg, wey mean say e dey advised to only drink no more dan one or two cups of matcha latte per day.
For those wey dey sensitive to caffeine, matcha fit be beta option as e contain less caffeine dan coffee, and im L-theanine content dey help reduce caffeine absorption.
Wetin be 'dirty matcha'?
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
Dirty matcha na shot of espresso added on top of di milk and matcha blend.
But other dan di change in taste, shey dis na too much caffeine inside one cup?
While di dirty matcha combine di alertness from caffeine wit di calming properties of matcha, nutritionists say di mixture fit still spike your adrenaline. However, dem argue say e dey do so in a "cleaner" way, as di caffeine dey gradually released due to di L-theanine.
Like drinking one matcha latte, nutritionists advise limiting intake to one cup of dis a day.
A note on quality
Wit matcha gaining increased popularity in recent years, more dan half of Japan matcha now, dem dey export am internationally.
Some reports don even predict say increased demand it leafd to a shortage of matcha both for Japan and globally.
In response to di rising demand, Japanese tea companies Ippodo Tea and Marukyu Koyamaen don announce purchasing limits on matcha for di first time.
According to Japan Ministry of Agriculture, di country produce 4,176 tons of matcha for 2023 – almost three times di amount for010.
But as matcha become more mainstream, so also di difference in quality.
"Di quality of matcha powder fit different," Galati wey dey run di online nutrition platform Real Life Nutritionist warn. "If you dey drink am for potential health benefits, make sure say na from a trusted source."
Some cafe versions fit contain ingredients such as added sugars, flavourings or sweeteners, wey fit undermine im health benefits.
