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Matcha is a green tea powder derived from a specific type of green tea leaves1, grown in the shade of trees. It originated in Japan and has gained quick fame in recent years.
Drinking matcha green tea is much more beneficial than drinking regular green tea since matcha tea has more antioxidants as compared to regular green tea.
Now, the question might arise: does matcha have caffeine content? The answer is yes. However, one need not be worried, for caffeine is much lower than other green tea varieties and even coffee.
Now, the question might arise: does matcha have caffeine content? The answer is yes.
However, one need not be worried for the caffeine content is much lower than other green tea varieties and even coffee. I am curious to know more about Match Green Tea.
A. Is Matcha as Effective as Coffee?
While coffee is already a widely consumed drink, many people are considering switching to matcha green tea because of the excessive caffeine present in coffee, which may cause health complications in the future.
Matcha vs Coffee is a tough game to decide. However, matcha has more calories than coffee and less caffeine. Not only that but when it comes to comparison, matcha has more antioxidant properties than coffee.
Both coffee and matcha have several health benefits, and when it comes to potent drinks, coffee still tops the list.
A cup of matcha isn’t as strong as a cup of coffee. Coffee acts as an instant energy boost, whereas matcha green tea contains theanine2, which prevents the instant working of caffeine and is more gentle with your body.
Still confused about the question, “Does matcha have caffeine”? Keep reading, then!
B. Matcha Green Tea and Acidity
Tired of acidity? Afraid that the acidic contents of coffee might ruin your health? Including a cup of matcha in your regular diet might help.
Green tea is basic and has alkaline properties with a pH scale of 7. However, matcha has a pH scale of 9 and is moderately basic. Thus, it may minimize any chances of acidity and can also flush out all the unwanted toxins in your body.
C. Does Matcha Contain Caffeine?
Does matcha have caffeine? Yes!
Matcha has a high caffeine content, but that, when compared to coffee, isn’t something you can call unhealthy. Every 80 ounces of coffee has 96mg of caffeine; matcha has only 70mg.
However, if you’re thinking about changing from black tea or another type of steeped green tea to matcha green tea, then it is recommended that you stick to your regular green tea.
Green tea drinkers are habituated to consuming only 47 mg of caffeine content, and thus a shift to matcha can cause health issues.
Green tea drinkers are habituated to consuming only 47 mg of caffeine content and thus a shift to matcha can cause health issues.
D. Does Matcha Keep You Awake?
Since we already answered your question, “Does matcha have caffeine?” this is a pretty general question! Yes, it does.
Does it work better than coffee? No.
Coffee has more caffeine, and it works as an instant energy boost. Matcha green tea, on the other hand, has lesser caffeine content.
Drinking green tea can help you keep awake only when you consume a huge amount.
E. Is It Ok to Drink Matcha Every Day?
Since we already answered your question, “Does matcha have caffeine” one might ask about its consumption limits. Yes, consuming matcha every day is recommended.
Matcha can actually help you focus on the day’s work and make you feel energized, as well as prevent crazy hunger pangs. A regular cup of matcha every day can also keep your heart health and heart disease in check3 and lower blood pressure.
It is risky only when consumed in large amounts in a day. Drinking green tea regularly in huge amounts will do you no good and might cause adverse health effects.
G. Advantages and Disadvantages of Matcha Green Tea Powder
Here are some advantages and disadvantages listed out about matcha green tea powder, which will help you decide whether you should consume it or not.
Advantages
- One can easily quit coffee and add matcha to their diet if they’re looking for a drink with less caffeine content and greater health benefits.4 Brewed Coffee has this crash and blast mechanism of working on your body, whereas matcha works slowly and more effectively.
- It keeps the heart healthy and reduces anxiety. Since matcha is gentler on your body than coffee, it helps keep your heart healthy and also keeps away anxiety.
- Has antioxidants – The number of antioxidants matcha can provide you with is enormous. Thus, a cup of matcha also has many health benefits.
- Keeps skin healthy – Besides the health benefits, matcha also gives you better skin. It is said that since ancient times, Japanese women have used matcha to treat acne and other skin problems.
Disadvantages
- Can cause insomnia and headache – Since we answered the question, does matcha have caffeine, it goes without saying consuming excessive matcha5 isn’t really healthy. Consuming excessive matcha can lead to several problems, like insomnia and even headaches. High amounts of caffeine can affect your nervous system and can also be the reason behind high blood pressure.
- It can cause diarrhea– Quality matcha has multiple health benefits. However, both matcha and coffee can act as laxatives and can also lead to diarrhea when consumed in excess.
- Is costly – Coffee is easily available and cheaper than matcha coffee. Matcha powder is a powder derived from tea leaves and is a traditional green tea that isn’t easily available. Besides, this powdered tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant is pretty expensive and thus cannot be afforded by everyone.
Still confused about “Does matcha have caffeine?” Keep reading to learn why green tea is the strongest.
H. Is Matcha the Strongest Green Tea Powder?
Yes, that matcha is the strongest green tea.
Although when compared to coffee, matcha isn’t half as strong, when it comes to green tea varieties, matcha is the strongest green tea one can ever find.
The amount of caffeine in an average cup of matcha green tea is much higher than that of a cup of any other brewed green tea.
Matcha is the strongest variety because it contains 137 antioxidants which is also somewhat the reason behind its bitter taste.
I. Can You Buy Decaf Matcha?
If you’re someone who’s highly sensitive to caffeine, and caffeine levels in drinks are quite important to you, then decaf matcha green tea, just like decaf coffee, is something that you might consider.
Decaffeinated matcha is a healthy choice as it contains much lesser caffeine than any standard green tea or even matcha green tea.
Caffeine in matcha, although lesser, can still cause problems for caffeine-sensitive people. Thus, decaffeinated matcha is a healthy alternative to normal matcha, although it doesn’t give you all the antioxidants or the vitamin.
Is Matcha Healthy for Diabetes Patients?
The answer is yes! Diabetes patients might not be troubled by how much caffeine a drink contains, but the bitter taste might work wonders for your body. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients present in Matcha are a good choice if your blood sugar levels are spiking.
J. How Do We Make Matcha Green Tea?
When it comes to drinking healthy, matcha is a pretty good choice – be it a simple cup of matcha tea or matcha latte. Green teas can be consumed only one way and one doesn’t really have a lot of options when choosing green tea.
With matcha, one doesn’t really need to worry about ways to consume.
All you need to do is to add one teaspoon of matcha powder into a cup of warm water and you’ve mastered the art of matcha making.
Matcha latte is a much tastier alternative, but if you are trying to consume within calorie limits, a latte isn’t a healthy choice.
K. Other Benefits of Drinking Matcha
Matcha has caffeine, l-theanine, amino acid, Vitamin C, and several other minerals. Apart from reducing oxidative stress and energy boost, matcha green tea also helps in improving concentration and cognitive performance.
Caffeine and l-theanine take time to activate, but the effect of the duo stays much longer, helping with your concentration and relaxation.
L-theanine, together with caffeine in matcha, is considered a magic duo and thus, one should not worry about the question – does matcha have caffeine.
L. How Much Caffeine Is Too Much Caffeine?
Just like too much coffee, too much matcha can also be harmful. You should always take care of the amount of caffeine present.
A cup of coffee or matcha a day doesn’t cause much harm but it can be addictive if consumed in huge amounts and obviously has side effects.
Such a thing might be prevented if steeped matcha tea is consumed in moderation, say 2 cups a day. However, researchers say that 4 cups of matcha and 5 cups of coffee a day is the limit, i.e. 400 mg a day(2 cans of energy drinks).
More caffeine in tea matcha can prove fatal in the long run.
Thus, we hope you’ve got an answer to your question “Does matcha have caffeine?”.
M. Bottom Line
Matcha tea is thus a comparatively healthy alternative to coffee and other energy drinks. Green tea plant-derived steeped tea is healthy, but matcha being the strongest and with the wonderful combo of l-theanine and caffeine can do wonders for your body.
Find matcha from a trusted seller and you’re all set for a healthier diet and lifestyle. As far as the question “Does matcha have caffeine” is concerned – a little caffeine might actually be useful and definitely wouldn’t harm you as long as you’re drinking in moderation.
Read more from us here.
FAQs
1. How is matcha advantageous for one?
There is evidence that matcha enhances focus, recall, and speed of thought. Additionally, it contains L-theanine and caffeine, which can enhance various facets of brain activity.
2. Does matcha tea help in weight reduction?
One benefit of matcha is that it has been proven to increase fat burning and metabolism. This implies that it attacks the problem of weight from both angles, offering you an organic boost in your battle against extra weight, naturally boosting increased energy levels, as well as activating that difficult-to-access fat metabolism.
3. When should I drink matcha green tea?
Matcha tea is usually consumed before meals as it will boost metabolism and help in better digestion. If you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid having it post 3 pm.
- Musial, Claudia, Alicja Kuban-Jankowska, and Magdalena Gorska-Ponikowska. “Beneficial properties of green tea catechins.” International journal of molecular sciences 21.5 (2020): 1744. ↩︎
- Kimura, Kenta, et al. “L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses.” Biological psychology 74.1 (2007): 39-45. ↩︎
- Lipsky, Martin S., et al. American Medical Association guide to preventing and treating heart disease: essential information you and your family need to know about having a healthy heart. Turner Publishing Company, 2008. ↩︎
- dePaula, Juliana, and Adriana Farah. “Caffeine consumption through coffee: Content in the beverage, metabolism, health benefits and risks.” Beverages 5.2 (2019): 37. ↩︎
- Hadjipateras, Elara. “Can You Drink Too Much Matcha Green Tea Powder? Quality, Possible Side Effects, and More.” ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
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