When it comes to balancing hormones naturally, most people think of things like flaxseeds, soy, or herbal teas. But did you know that your daily matcha ritual is also supporting your hormonal health? One of matcha’s lesser known benefits is its role as a natural source of phytoestrogens. Whether you're looking to support hormone balance, ease menopause symptoms, or promote overall well being, matcha might be a link in your daily routine that you’ve been missing.
What are phytoestrogens, and why do they matter?
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds that have a mild estrogenic effect in the body.
They’re found in foods like soy, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, legumes, and green tea, including matcha.These compounds bind to estrogen receptors in the body, sometimes acting like a weaker form of estrogen and sometimes blocking stronger estrogens from overloading the system.
How phytoestrogens are beneficial:
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For low estrogen levels (like during menopause), phytoestrogens can provide a mild boost, helping to ease symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and dry skin.
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For high estrogen levels (like in estrogen dominance), phytoestrogens can help by competing for receptor sites, preventing excess estrogen from building up and causing issues like bloating, weight gain, and hormonal acne.
The key to how it all works? Phytoestrogens don’t flood your body with estrogen, they help promote balance by either increasing or decreasing estrogenic effects depending on what your body needs.
Matcha and its natural phytoestrogen content
While green tea is often overshadowed by soy and flax seeds when it comes to phytoestrogens, matcha actually contains a unique blend of plant compounds that support hormonal health in a more subtle but effective way.
Here’s how matcha supports estrogen balance:
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Rich in catechins - Matcha is packed with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol that has been shown to control estrogen activity by binding to estrogen receptors. It helps regulate hormone levels without creating extreme fluctuations.
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Contains isoflavones - While not as concentrated as soy, matcha does contain isoflavones, which are a well known type of phytoestrogen that can help balance estrogen naturally.
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Supports liver detoxification - The liver plays a key role in processing and eliminating excess estrogen. The chlorophyll and antioxidants in matcha help support liver function, ensuring your body can break down and remove excess hormones effectively.
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Reduces inflammation and stress - Chronic inflammation and high cortisol levels can throw hormones out of balance. Matcha’s combination of L-theanine and antioxidants helps lower stress hormones, creating a more stable hormonal environment.
Who can benefit from matcha’s phytoestrogens?
Because phytoestrogens work to balance rather than overload the body with estrogen, matcha is especially beneficial for:
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Menopausal women - Helps reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
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Women with estrogen dominance - Supports estrogen metabolism and can help with bloating, PMS, and hormonal acne.
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People with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - Can aid in balancing hormones naturally and reducing inflammation.
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Athletes & active individuals - Supports recovery and muscle repair while keeping stress hormones in check.
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Anyone looking for overall hormonal balance - Whether you're feeling off due to stress, diet, or lifestyle changes, matcha is an easy way to add gentle phytoestrogen support to your routine.
How to eat & drink matcha for hormonal health
One of the great things about matcha is that it’s versatile and easy to include in your daily routine.
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Drink it daily - Start your morning with a matcha latte or swap your afternoon coffee for a matcha lemonade.
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Add it to smoothies - Blend matcha with flaxseeds, almond milk, and berries for an extra dose of phytoestrogen rich ingredients.
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Use it in baking - Add matcha to muffins, pancakes, or energy bites for a hormone friendly snack.
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Pair it with healthy fats - Since many phytoestrogens are fat soluble, drinking matcha with coconut milk or eating it alongside avocado or nuts can enhance absorption.
The bottom line
Matcha is a natural source of phytoestrogens that can help balance estrogen levels, reduce stress, and support overall hormonal health. Whether you’re looking to ease menopause symptoms, regulate hormones, or simply add more functional foods to your diet, matcha is an easy, effective way to do it.
Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes
Resources:
Glazier, M. G., & Bowman, M. A. (2001). A review of the evidence for the use of phytoestrogens as a replacement for traditional estrogen replacement therapy. Archives of internal medicine, 161(9), 1161–1172. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.161.9.1161
Schröder, L., Marahrens, P., Koch, J. G., Heidegger, H., Vilsmeier, T., Phan-Brehm, T., Hofmann, S., Mahner, S., Jeschke, U., & Richter, D. U. (2019). Effects of green tea, matcha tea and their components epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin on MCF‑7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells. Oncology reports, 41(1), 387–396. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2018.6789
VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. (n.d.). Phytoestrogens. Whole Health Library. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/phytoestrogens.asp
Chavda, V. P., Chaudhari, A. Z., Balar, P. C., Gholap, A., & Vora, L. K. (2024). Phytoestrogens: Chemistry, potential health benefits, and their medicinal importance. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 38(6), 3060–3079. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8196
Sokary, S., Al-Asmakh, M., Zakaria, Z., & Bawadi, H. (2022). The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies. Current research in food science, 6, 100396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.015
