Matcha is loaded with antioxidants. In fact, matcha contains between 10-100 times more antioxidants than typical green tea, depending on the quality of the tea being compared. One of the most-studied antioxidants in green tea is the polyphenol EGCG, which has shown a range of benefits in clinical research ranging from improved glucose metabolism in people with diabetes, to higher metabolism, to lower risk of cancer.
Matcha contains caffeine, but it also contains high levels of the amino acid l-theanine. When metabolized in the body, l-theanine has a relaxing, calming effect. The result? Working together, the caffeine and l-theanine provides four to five hours of calm, focused energy. Not the jitters and caffeine crash of coffee.
So, if you have sworn off coffee because of how the caffeine affects you, try matcha. You may find yourself delighted at how gently and effectively it works.