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Gen-Z is seemingly turning away from coffee in favor of matcha, mostly due to its vibrant green hue and supposed health perks.

With the hashtag #matchalattes boasting a whopping 2 billion views on TikTok, and A-listers like Zendaya and Bella Hadid flaunting their matcha indulgence on Instagram, this powdered green tea is enjoying a surge in popularity nowadays.

Praised for its alleged health benefits, matcha, a concentrated form of green tea, is believed to offer everything from enhanced memory to relief from period pain, fueling its appeal among wellness enthusiasts.

Derived from the same plant as green tea but grown in shade to intensify chlorophyll production, matcha is packed with antioxidants, particularly EGCG, touted to be 130 times more concentrated than in green tea. Alongside vitamin C and l-theanine, matcha may promote a range of health benefits, according to nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni.

Building Your Anti-Stress Arsenal

While sipping on a hot drink may not seem like the obvious remedy for chronic stress, matcha offers more than just a moment of mindfulness during a hectic day. The amino acid l-theanine found in matcha has been shown to promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

"L-theanine promotes a sense of calm and focused energy without the jittery effects of caffeine found in coffee," nutritionist Riya Lakhani-Kanji explained, as per Glamour.

"External stress like work switches on the HPA response [the body's main stress response system]," she added. "But inflammation from internal sources, such as injury or being on your period can also trigger cortisol production. So if you think about your body as one big system, by working on inflammation you end up working on stress levels, too."

Enhancing Brain Function

While caffeine typically boosts mental alertness, recent research suggests that the blend of components found in matcha-caffeine, antioxidants, and l-theanine-may also elevate brain function and enhance memory.

In one study, participants engaged in tasks designed to gauge brain performance. Those who consumed matcha tea or a bar containing 4 grams of matcha exhibited improvements in attention, reaction time, and memory compared to those in the placebo group.

Another study indicated that the combined effects of l-theanine and caffeine might heighten concentration and efficiency more effectively than either compound alone.

Regarding antioxidants, "we don't tend to think about inflammation in the brain, but we certainly can and do have inflammation in that area, referred to as neuro inflammation," Mazzoni noted . "Symptoms include brain fog, headaches, difficulty focusing and fatigue. The properties of matcha help protect against this cellular damage caused by free radicals."

Enhancing Bone and Heart Health

Matcha's antioxidants play a crucial role in combating oxidative stress in the body, a significant contributor to heart disease. Riya Lakhani-Kanji explained, "By neutralising free radicals, EGCG helps reduce inflammation and prevent the oxidative damage that can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries."

Furthermore, matcha has demonstrated the ability to lower cholesterol levels. Riya highlights studies indicating that regular consumption of green tea, including matcha, can decrease LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while boosting HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. This balance is vital for maintaining clear blood vessels and preventing atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

In addition to shielding bones from free radical damage, matcha is a rich source of vitamin K, crucial for bone health. Mazzoni added, "Vitamin K is essential for metabolising calcium, a mineral important for bone health."

Alleviating Period Pain

Research on catechins in green tea suggests their potential to reduce the production of prostaglandins, hormones in the womb linked to period pain. Given matcha's rich content of anti-inflammatory catechins, it's reasonable to speculate that it could offer similar effects.

"During your period there is a natural increase of inflammation, which not only causes period pain but exasperates symptoms of anxiety and the production of cortisol (your stress hormone)," Mazzoni said.

"Anything that can support inflammation adds up to an easier period, so I often recommend one or two cups of green tea or matcha per day to my clients with pro-inflammatory conditions such as painful cramps, endometriosis or PMDD [a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome]."

While matcha presents a healthier alternative to coffee, caution is advised due to its caffeine content. Moderation is key, with experts recommending consumption before 10 am and in conjunction with food to mitigate potential side effects.