Can Drinking More Matcha Tea Help in a Worldwide Pandemic?
It is more important now than ever to make sure we are doing our best to wash our hands and stay at home when we’re feeling ill, but what if I told you there was an easy and delicious way to help protect against getting sick? Green tea has been studied for its beneficial properties and seems to help shield our bodies from cell damage, fight invading bacteria and viruses, and keep us healthy. But, how exactly does a plant do all of that for us?
Green tea leaves have compounds called catechins that act as natural antioxidants and have been shown to reduce viral activity.1 When any virus enters the body, a healthy immune response first uses the innate system as a general defense. It then eventually uses the adaptive system once the body makes antibodies to target the invader directly. When we get sick, it’s because these two systems aren’t working as fast or as well as they should.
Green tea catechins can protect us from viral infections in four different ways. First, they can stop the virus from infecting our cells by making sure the virus can’t attach. In this case, catechins bind to pathogens so that they can’t fit and latch onto our cells, similar to how adding a groove on a key would stop it from opening a door. Second, if one of our cells is already infected, catechins can prevent the virus from reproducing. Third, if a sneaky virus manages to get into our cell and grow, catechins can stop the cell from releasing the new viruses into our body. Lastly, green tea catechins have been shown to help our immune system work by increasing the number of immune cells that can help fight infection.2
Matcha green tea powder is delicious and provides an excellent source of catechins that may help reduce viral activity and keep us healthy in any season. Whether you prefer to drink it with warm water or make a Matcha latte, you’ll still reap the benefits from these antibacterial, antiviral, and cardioprotective compounds!3 In fact, studies have shown that simply gargling with matcha tea may decrease the risk of infection.2 If you’re feeling extra spontaneous, why not try to make the famous whipped Matcha latte seen all over social media! My favorite recipe is Dalgona Style Matcha. It’s vegan and uses juice from chickpeas instead of egg whites, but regardless of your preference, making matcha latte is a fun way to enjoy the many health benefits that matcha has to offer.
Looking for a matcha brand to get started? We highly recommend our Superfood Science Organic Matcha. It’s ceremonial grade, meaning that it’s the highest available grade of matcha powder available on the market, and it’s also deliciously delicate with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Go ahead and give it a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
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