So, we know green tea offers a lot of benefits. But there are so many green teas on the market. Which one offers the best health benefit?
At the store you will find:
Loose Leaf Green Tea
Matcha Green Tea
Organic Green Tea
Decaf Green Tea
Jasmine Green Tea
Bottled Green Tea
My recommendation is Matcha!
Why? You get the most bang for your buck in terms of antioxidant properties.
Matcha is essentially a green tea powder, but it’s harvested differently resulting in more concentrated flavor and antioxidant volume. It is a unique composition that contains a high concentration of phenolic acid, quercetin, rutin, theanine, and chlorophyll. The antioxidant compounds in green tea extract are a type of catechin polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a naturally occurring antioxidant that can reduce cellular damage in the body.
Also- it’s quick!
Infusions made by steeping tea leaves have lower polyphenol content than those in powdered form. With loose leaf tea usually, you must steep it for several minutes. In a powdered form tea preparation is usually shorter than 1 minute.
Does brewing matcha power for a longer time increase its antioxidant capacity? Nope- making it quick and easy to brew before work, a meeting, or before picking up the kids.
What are the health benefits of green tea extracts?
ECGC has been shown to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and suppressing inflammatory pathways initiating carcinogenesis
Interesting that angiogenesis is the key process involved in age-related macular degeneration visual loss as well as diabetic eye disease!
Catechins can act synergistically with anticancer medications to prevent cancer
Anti-inflammatory effects
Cardioprotective benefits
Antiviral effects
Improvement of cognitive function and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders
·
Next week I’ll share my favorite ways to enjoy matcha green tea! Hint: it involves a circular form that is sweet.
Source: Kochman et al. Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A review. Molecules 2021, 26, 85.