Matcha has gained recognition in recent years as a “superfood” brimming with health benefits. While many of these benefits are backed by science, others have been amplified by marketing and may not hold up under closer scrutiny. This article aims to help you understand what we do know about matcha’s health benefits, the key compounds it contains, and why it’s important to approach bold health claims with a healthy dose of scepticism.

How Is Matcha Different from Regular Tea?

Unlike regular green teas like sencha, matcha is made from whole tea leaves that are grown under shade for 4–8 weeks before harvest. This shading process triggers two key changes in the tea plant:

• Increased production of amino acids
• Higher levels of chlorophyll

As a result, matcha has a richer, sweeter taste with prominent umami notes. It also contains a higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—partly because you’re consuming the entire ground tea leaf rather than just an infusion.

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins that help your body grow, repair, and heal. Some amino acids also act as sources of energy. Our bodies cannot produce all amino acids on their own, so we rely on our diet to supply them.

In matcha, amino acids contribute to its smooth, slightly sweet, and savoury flavour. One amino acid in particular—L-theanine—plays a significant role in matcha’s effect on focus and calmness.

Matcha Health Benefits We Know to Be True

1. A Natural, Sustained Source of Energy (Without the Crash)

One of matcha’s standout benefits is its ability to provide a clean, sustained energy boost. Thanks to a combination of caffeine and L-theanine, matcha promotes wakefulness without the jittery side effects or energy crashes often experienced with coffee or sugary energy drinks.

L-theanine helps regulate the release of caffeine into the bloodstream, which results in more stable alertness and focus over 3–4 hours. Matcha is also gentler on the stomach than coffee, making it a great alternative for those sensitive to acidity.

2. Supports Focus and Calmness

Matcha’s high levels of L-theanine also enhance mental clarity and promote a sense of calm. This amino acid increases levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood, concentration, and cognitive function.

Historically, matcha was used by Japanese monks to stay alert yet grounded during long hours of meditation. For those who practise yoga, mindfulness, or creative work, matcha may be a helpful addition to your routine.

Why We Should Question the Basis of Many Matcha Health Claims

Scientific analysis confirms that matcha contains several bioactive compounds believed to support overall health. Some of these include:

Many claims about matcha’s health benefits are built on these promising chemical properties. However, we must be cautious when drawing conclusions.

While studies may show a positive correlation between certain compounds (like antioxidants or EGCG) and health outcomes (like cancer prevention or weight loss), these findings often lack depth in explaining the why and how. In many cases, these results are preliminary or based on lab settings—not real-world consumption.

This is why it’s important to look beyond the headlines. If someone makes a health claim about matcha, we believe they should also explain the scientific limitations and context behind it.

Our Stance on Matcha and Health

As tea lovers, we genuinely hope that matcha proves to be a nutritional powerhouse. But we’re not scientists—and we’re not here to sell you on unproven claims.

If rigorous studies emerge that confirm matcha can help with weight loss, cancer prevention, cholesterol regulation, or acne healing, we’ll be among the first to champion those findings.

Until then, we’re confident promoting what we know: matcha offers a uniquely smooth energy lift, tastes incredible, and opens the door to a rewarding ritual of mindful consumption.

And honestly, that’s a benefit worth celebrating on its own.