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
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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.