The Dangers of Matcha Tea: What You Should Know Before Drinking It

Matcha tea is an ancient beverage that has become popular in recent years for its numerous health and weight loss benefits. However, like everything in life, matcha tea also has its contraindications and side effects, especially if consumed in excess. In this article, we'll tell you about the dangers of matcha tea and how to avoid them.

What is matcha tea and why is it so good?

Matcha tea is a variety of green tea made by grinding the whole leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Consuming matcha tea allows you to benefit from all the nutrients and antioxidants in the leaf, giving it numerous health properties. Some of these properties include:

• It stimulates metabolism and helps burn fat.
• It strengthens the immune system and prevents disease.
• It improves mood and concentration.
• It protects the liver and kidneys.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of matcha tea, you can read our article Matcha tea for weight loss: truths and dangers you should know before consuming it .

What are the dangers of matcha tea?

Despite all the benefits of matcha tea, it's important to remember that it contains caffeine, an alkaloid that has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Caffeine can have advantages, such as improving physical and mental performance, but it can also have negative effects, such as causing nervousness, insomnia, tachycardia, or anxiety.

Matcha tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which varies depending on the quality and quantity of the tea. According to the USDA database, 100 g of matcha tea contains 2.4 g of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 24 mg per gram of tea. This means that a cup of matcha tea prepared with 2 g of tea contains about 48 mg of caffeine, which is roughly half that of a cup of coffee.

However, it's important to note that the caffeine in matcha tea is absorbed more slowly and released over a longer period than that in coffee, due to the presence of L-theanine, an amino acid that modulates its effects. Therefore, matcha tea provides more sustained and balanced energy without causing nervousness, rapid heartbeat, or insomnia.

However, this doesn't mean you can consume matcha tea without limit, as excessive intake can lead to a caffeine overdose, which can have serious health consequences. Some symptoms of a caffeine overdose include:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Palpitations
• Hypertension
• Seizures
• Arrhythmias
• Heart attack

According to the Mayo Clinic, the maximum recommended daily caffeine intake for a healthy adult is 400 mg, which is equivalent to about 8 cups of matcha tea. However, this amount can vary depending on individual sensitivity, weight, age, health status, and other factors. Therefore, it's best to be cautious and not exceed 2 or 3 cups of matcha tea per day, and avoid consuming it with other sources of caffeine, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, or medications containing caffeine.

In addition, there are some people who should avoid or limit their consumption of matcha tea, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, the elderly, people with heart, kidney, liver, stomach or nervous problems, or those taking medications that may interact with caffeine.

How to consume matcha tea safely?

To enjoy the benefits of matcha tea without taking risks, it is best to follow these recommendations:

• Choose a good quality matcha tea, preferably organic, that does not contain additives, colorings, sugars or pesticides.
• Prepare the matcha tea with hot, but not boiling, water at about 80ºC, and whisk it with a bamboo or electric whisk until a foam forms.
• Do not add milk, cream, sugar or sweeteners to matcha tea, as they can alter its properties and flavor.
• Consume matcha tea in moderation, no more than 2 or 3 cups a day, and avoid drinking it at night or with other sources of caffeine.
• Consult your doctor before consuming matcha tea if you have any medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medication.

Conclusion

Matcha tea is a healthy and delicious beverage that can offer many health and weight loss benefits. However, it also has its contraindications and side effects, especially if consumed in excess or if you have a caffeine sensitivity. Therefore, it's best to consume matcha tea safely, following the recommendations we've given you in this article. This way, you can enjoy its benefits without putting your health at risk. Are you ready to try matcha tea? Tell us about your experience in the comments! Try our best matcha now.