Matcha green tea is a type of Japanese green tea that has been around for centuries. It’s made from the whole ground-up leaves, stems, and veins of the plant Camellia sinensis. Matcha is rich in antioxidants and other healthy nutrients. Turmeric on the other hand is a spice that has been used as a food additive, medicine, or dye for thousands of years. It’s a common spice in Indian and Southeast Asian dishes and has been used to treat many different ailments. In this article, we are going to explore health benefits and side effects of matcha green tea with turmeric. Read on to find out why they are so good together!
Matcha powder has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea (5). This is because instead of steeping the leaves in hot water like regular tea, you are ingesting them whole with matcha powder. Here are some health benefits of consuming matcha, in any form:
Matcha is a great source of the antioxidant chlorophyll. Chlorophyll scavenges for free radicals, which can cause DNA mutations and cancer. Matcha also contains a unique type of phytonutrient called ‘EGCG’ epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful detoxifying agent believed to inhibit cancer cell formation in the body (1). This benefit is one of the most beneficial health claims by matcha lovers as this tea essentially gives you an internal cleanse.
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Due to its high level of antioxidants called catechins, studies have shown that drinking green tea has been linked to preventing heart disease from occurring due to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Matcha powder contains over 10 times more antioxidants than green tea leaves. It has also been found that people who drink matcha have lower LDL cholesterol levels, which is great news for your heart (12)!
Matcha powder is used as a skin scrub to reveal brighter and smoother skin. Once you mix the powder with water or any other liquid, the antioxidant boosting benefits combined with gentle natural exfoliants like matcha helps soothe dryness, remove dead cells, improve hydration and prevent acne (11).
The added bonus of detoxification makes this an excellent face mask for all skin types since it will remove impurities deep within the pores without stripping off essential oils that protect against aging. Some even apply it under their eyes before bedtime to reduce swelling and puffiness.
Matcha green tea is shown to have antimicrobial properties, so it’s effective in treating wounds and preventing infections (18).
A study was done on mice where they compared the green tea extract to an antibiotic called gentamicin sulfate. The conclusion showed that while the green tea had some benefits, the mice taking it did not survive as well as those who were treated with antibiotics while recovering from infection-causing bacteria (18).
This supports further research of matcha’s health benefits for daily use rather than using it only when needed.
Matcha tea has thermogenic effects thanks to its caffeine content, which can result in fat loss. Studies show that drinking matcha powder increases energy expenditure by 4-5%, which is an additional 60 to 100 calories per day. Matcha green tea was also found to reduce fat deposition in the body (17).
Matcha green tea is a great alternative to coffee that doesn’t have the jitters or post-caffeine crash. It has been found that matcha can improve physical performance without any side effects (13).
One reason for this is because matcha increases insulin sensitivity, so it’s a more efficient fuel source than sugar which means more endurance and energy without the added calories. Improved stamina comes from increased oxygen consumption as well as mental clarity to focus on your workout routine (7).
Matcha can improve blood pressure in individuals with mild hypertension. This is due to the amino acid L-theanine found in this tea, which has calming effects on the brain that reduces stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine that elevate blood pressure (1).
Matcha Green tea is high in catechins which are natural compounds that stimulate the production of hormones that regulate metabolism. As a result, Matcha Green tea contains the xenoestrogens known as phytoestrogens, which help to regulate appetite and reduce one’s likelihood for obesity (15).
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As an all-natural supplement, Matcha Green tea helps to balance sugar levels naturally. If you have a craving for something sweet, have a cup of Matcha Green tea. It will balance your blood sugar levels and prevent the resulting insulin spike that causes fat storage. This also makes it beneficial for diabetics or those suffering from hypoglycemia or other health problems caused by unstable blood sugar levels (6).
The healthy properties in Matcha Green tea work with caffeine to improve cardiovascular health by removing bad cholesterol from the body (12). Both caffeine and catechins can also break down stored body fat, allowing it to be used as energy. The end result is weight loss due to shallow fat reserves (14).
Despite its powerful detoxifying benefits, there are some concerns about having too much of a good thing when it comes to green tea powder. It’s possible for matcha to have harmful side effects.
It’s important to note that these side effects are not exclusive to matcha but can affect any kind of green tea. Side effects associated with green tea powder include insomnia, unstable blood sugar levels, restlessness or nervousness, and anxiety (10).
Excessive caffeine intake can also lead to dehydration, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Always drink water throughout the day when pairing matcha powder with other drinks or food to ensure you stay well hydrated. Caffeine is a diuretic so your body needs adequate liquids to process the extra boost of energy (2).
Curcumin, the active component of turmeric has been known for its natural medicinal properties since ancient times and scientifically proven to provide numerous health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The major health benefits are listed below:
Cancer cells grow and spread rapidly due to a lack of nutrients or the growth of new blood vessels that promote tumor growth (angiogenesis). Since curcumin has the ability to stop the proliferation of new blood vessels, tumor growth can be inhibited along with preventing metastasis (spread) of tumors. It also has the ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death in abnormal cells ), therefore reducing their chances to multiply in the body (3).
The major risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease is age. As we age, our brains start producing plaques consisting of misfolded proteins called amyloid-beta proteins which in turn cause the death of brain cells. Curcumin being a strong antioxidant can help prevent damage to our brain cells and also lower the levels of amyloid-beta proteins by inducing autophagy (removal of harmful substances by self-consuming) (3).
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Cardiovascular disease is caused due to accumulation of plaque containing cholesterol, fats, calcium and other toxins on arterial walls. This causes reduced blood flow resulting in coronary artery diseases like angina, heart attacks, etc.
A large number of studies conducted on patients with cardiovascular disorders have shown that curcumin can reduce inflammation along with reducing oxidative stress on arterial walls while increasing the level of “good” (HDL) cholesterol (3).
It can also help prevent cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting platelets from clumping together and making blood thin thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks (3).
Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation which is one of the major causes of acne. Studies show that it can be as effective as benzoyl peroxide (a common ingredient in anti-acne face washes). Other studies have shown that curcumin helps fight aging since it protects our skin from free radicals and reduces wrinkles (8).
Turmeric helps treat various kinds of digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, indigestion, etc. It also helps treat ulcers caused due to intakes of certain drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen (9).
Curcumin can help treat various liver disorders by protecting the liver from oxidative stress and damage which makes it a good detoxifying agent. It also helps in the regeneration of new cells thereby preventing scarring of liver tissue. Turmeric contains an active component called silymarin that is known to protect the liver from chronic (long term) inflammation, viral hepatitis, environmental pollutants, etc (3).
Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in joints not just due to wear and tear but also due to inflammation caused by excessive release of certain chemicals in the body resulting in rapid multiplication of cells causing swelling which puts pressure on nerves causing pain. Curcumin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis (3).
A wound may not be very serious but if it isn’t treated properly, it can lead to infections which can cause more harm than good. Curcumin has been shown to have wound healing properties that will help heal even deep wounds quickly. It also helps fight infection by killing bacteria that enter our body through wounds (3).
Psoriasis is a painful skin disorder where the upper layer of the skin is replaced with new cells every 3-4 days instead of 28-30 days causing thickening of the skin with red patches on them along with itching and irritation. Recent studies show that curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce the swelling and red patches in psoriasis (3).
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Turmeric has been consumed by humans for thousands of years and hence there are not many side effects associated with it.
A very rare allergic reaction to it can cause breathing difficulties, tightness in the chest, swelling of lips and tongue, etc. Another possibility is that you may be consuming too much of it without knowing since most curcumin supplements contain high doses of it (19).
Curcumin is known to reduce the efficiency of certain types of medication hence you should consult your doctor before consuming turmeric supplements along with medication (19).
It should only be taken after consulting a doctor especially if you suffer from gallstones or bile obstruction as this spice may worsen them both directly and indirectly by increasing the secretion of bile.
So if you’re looking for an effective dietary supplement, matcha green tea powder combined with turmeric can help your cause by providing unique benefits while working synergistically together.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!