The Matcha Antioxidant Powerhouse – Unlock The Complete Benefit Of Drinking Green Tea With The Best Matcha Right At Home!

Matcha has been highly revered in Asian cultures for centuries and continues to be a hot trend all across the world. Besides being a delicious, savory ingredient and versatile recipe reducer, matcha packs a punch when it comes to nutrition, most notably its nutrient factor. We are going to take a look at the antioxidants in matcha, the health benefits associated with consuming them, and why this superfood is worth adding to your regimen.

What Are Antioxidants, and Why Do We Need Them?

Antioxidants are substances that shield the body from harmful free radicals — unstable molecules that can damage cells, perhaps speeding up the aging process and raising the risk of illnesses including cancer and heart disease. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants support overall health  to a cellular level.

Matcha is especially high in antioxidants, particularly catechins, a type of polyphenol. Instead of steeping and discarding the leaves like regular green tea, matcha powder is ground up and whisked with hot water, providing a raw form of the plant, but in a far more concentrated dose.

The Main Antioxidants Found in Matcha

The antioxidant base of matcha is predominantly formed by catechins, EGCG being the most abundant and potent. Other antioxidants include:

Catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG, and EC)

Catechins are bioflavonoids and potent antioxidants. EGCG specifically is well known for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and heart-protective properties. A 2018 study found that matcha contains up to 137 time more EGCG that a regular tea on the same portion due to using the entire leaf, versus steeping the leaf in water and then discarding it. Source: Weiss, D. J., & Anderton, C. R. (2018).

Chlorophyll

The bright green color of matcha comes from the chlorophyll, a pigment with antioxidant properties. Chlorophyll assists in detoxing the body by latching onto heavy metals and toxic compounds to help remove them.

L-Theanine

Best known for inducing relaxation, L-theanine is also an antioxidant that helps ward off oxidative damage to the brain. A study from 2020 posted in Nutrients, describes how L-theanine helps to reduce oxidative stress in the brain. Source: Williams, J.L., et al., 2020).Another benefit of L-Theanine is that is acts as a caffeine "regulator". This regulation filter the caffeine from the matcha and releases it evenly throughout the day, instead of with one big burst, a common side-effect of coffee.

Vitamin C and Other Polyphenols

Matcha has trace amounts of vitamin C and other polyphenols as well, which adds a boost to its antioxidant prowess, for overall immune health and skin vibrancy.

Matcha’s Antioxidants May Provide Anti-Aging Benefits from the Inside!

The antioxidants in matcha are said to provide the following science-supported health benefits:

Combatting Oxidative Stress

EGCG, along with other catechins, scavenges free radicals and diminishes oxidative stress. This can reduce the risk of long-term conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The high concentrations of catechins in matcha could defend against oxidative stress-associated diseases, according to a 2017 review in Journal of Food Science (Source: Kochman, J., et al., 2017).

Supporting Heart Health

Catechins in matcha can potentially lower cholesterol and blood pressure. One meta-analysis from 2019 in Clinical Nutrition concluded that green tea catechins could “significantly” reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol (Source: Xu, R., et al., 2019).

Enhancing Brain Function

L-theanine and EGCG work synergistically to enhance cognition. L-Theanine supports alpha brain wave activity, the cause of a state of wakeful relaxation, and EGCG protects neurons from oxidative attack. In 2017 Food & Function conducted a study study in which young adults experienced improved attention and memory after drinking matcha (ref 5: Dietz, C., et al., 2017).

Promoting Skin Health

The antioxidants in matcha—specifically EGCG—protect skin from UV damage and potential aging. A 2021 study found that both topical and oral EGCG minimized oxidative stress in skin cells, which enhanced elasticity and hydration (Ref: Kim, E., et al., 2021).

Potential Cancer Prevention

In vitro, EGCG has been investigated in cancer cell growth inhibition studies. In 2020, a review published in Cancers found that EGCG stimulates the apoptosis of cancer cells, specifically in breast and prostate cancers (Source: Negri, A., et al., 2020). While we wait for more human trials, the “preliminary data looks positive.”

The Reason Matcha Is a More Powerful Antioxidant Source Than Other Superfoods

Rich in antioxidants – Matcha is ranked on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale. By comparison to matcha’s 1,384 µmol TE/g, blueberries have µmol TE/g, and dark chocolate has 208 µmol TE/g( Source: Prior, R. L., et al., 2003). This is what makes matcha among the most potent known sources of antioxidants.

With high quality matcha, its shading cultivation process also boosts antioxidant levels. The tea plants are shaded for an average of 28 days days prior to harvest to elevate chlorophyll and catechin levels. The highest antioxidant content can be found in ceremonial-grade matcha, which is produced with the youngest leaves then found in RW Golden's Matcha.

Ways to Consume and Love Your Matcha

To ensure that you get the most out of the antioxidants in matcha, follow these tips:

Use High-Quality Matcha

RW Golden uses exclusively ceremonial matcha to maximize the antioxidant benefits. Ceremonial grade is the highest consumer-quality grade of matcha. Avoid culinary-grade matcha for drinking, as its less potent and often more bitter.

Make It Right

Whisk approximately 2-3 grams of matcha with hot (160ºF) water to retain its antioxidants. Catechins can be damaged by boiling water and end up creating a bitter tasting experience.

Get Creative

Mix matcha into smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods for an antioxidant kick. Make a matcha latte with almond milk for a creamy, antioxidant-rich treat. You can also find new, exciting recipes here.

Moderation Matters

Matcha is healthy but it does have caffeine. It is best to limit consumption to 1–2 cups a day to prevent any possible jitters or impacting sleep.

The Most Important Question – Why Is Matcha Right For YOU?

Rich antioxidant levels, beneficial to immune health, memory, heart health and energy support are what drives us at RW Golden. From guarding your heart to boosting brain health and supporting glowing skin, the claims of matcha’s antioxidants are based on more than a thousand of years of scientific evidence. By making RW Golden matcha a part of your regular life, you are able to incorporate the benefits for better overall health and vitality.

Ready to feel the power of matcha? Begin with RW Golden’s ceremonial-grade matcha, whisk up a cup for yourself and experience the antioxidant-rich goodness. Your body will thank you.

Select which of our matcha options best fits your lifestyle to get started.