Feel like your memory isn’t quite what it used to be? Studies suggest that drinking matcha green tea may offer cognitive benefits.
Wanting to protect your memory and brain power is understandable, especially as cognitive health can become a growing concern as we age. While genetics play a role in memory decline, research shows that diet and lifestyle have a major impact as well. Drinking matcha regularly may help support mental clarity, focus, and long-term cognitive health.
What is matcha, and how is it different from green tea?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder packed with antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Unlike regular green tea, where tea leaves are steeped in hot water and then discarded, matcha allows you to consume the entire tea leaf, providing a higher concentration of nutrients. Another way that matcha differs from green tea is that the tea plant is shaded a few weeks before harvest. This process increases chlorophyll production, giving matcha its brilliant green color and enhancing its nutritional profile.
When it comes to cognitive health, both matcha and green tea offer benefits, but matcha stands out due to its higher concentration of key compounds. Since you consume the whole tea leaf when drinking matcha, you get a higher concentration of both caffeine and L-theanine. A combination that has been shown to improve focus, memory, and mental clarity while also helping you feel relaxed. Matcha can contain as much as five times the amount of L-theanine as green tea. Matcha also contains more antioxidants, particularly EGCG, than green tea, which can offer more protection against oxidative damage and can support long-term cognitive health.
So, how exactly can matcha support memory? Keep reading to find out!
Boosts focus and alertness
One of matcha’s key compounds is L-theanine, an amino acid that works synergistically with caffeine to enhance alertness- without the jittery side effects of coffee. Matcha contains more L-theanine than other teas.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine has been shown to improve focus, reaction time, and working memory- essential for processing and retaining information efficiently. One notable study found that elderly individuals who consumed green tea containing high amounts of L-theanine had significantly less cognitive decline than a placebo group. Another study suggested that long-term consumption of L-theanine-rich green tea may have a preventative effect against dementia.
Supports brain function
Matcha is rich in EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a potent antioxidant known to support breath health in multiple ways. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can contribute to cognitive decline. Research suggests that EGCG may protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which can both impact memory. EGCG has also been shown to reduce abnormal deposits of a protein called amyloid beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Hormones like acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine heavily impact our memory and ability to learn new information. As we age, the communication between these neurotransmitters can change. EGCG has been shown to help restore the activity of acetylcholine esterase, an enzyme important for memory, to near normal levels in aging rats. EGCG may also help support memory by promoting the production of dopamine and serotonin.
Additionally, EGCG may help promote the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus- an area in the brain critical for memory. However, more research is still needed.
EGCG has also been linked to improved blood flow to the brain, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients are delivered efficiently. While more research is needed to determine the full extent of its benefits in humans, these findings suggest that matcha could be a valuable ally in boosting memory.
Reduces stress and anxiety
One of the unique benefits of matcha is its ability to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness. This is primarily due to its high L-theanine content, which increases alpha brain wave activity- associated with a calm yet alert state. L-theanine has also been shown to boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which can enhance mood and reduce anxiety.
This is important because chronic stress has been shown to impair both memory and cognitive function by disrupting neurotransmitters and damaging the hippocampus. Stress may also interfere with memory processing and impact your ability to create new memories. It’s essential to have multiple ways to manage stress, but drinking matcha may be one step towards living a more balanced and relaxed life- especially if you’re replacing your morning cup of coffee with it.
Bottom Line
Brain health and memory are nuanced, but drinking matcha may be one simple yet powerful way to support memory, focus, and overall brain health. Thanks to its unique combination of caffeine, L-theanine, and antioxidants like EGCG, matcha may offer both neuroprotective effects. The next time you feel like some brain-boosting energy, consider making a cup of matcha!
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.
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