Dangers of matcha tea, what you need to know

Matcha tea is an ancient beverage that has recently gained popularity for its health and weight loss benefits. Despite this, matcha tea can be harmful and cause adverse effects if consumed in excess. Here, we explain the risks of matcha tea and how to prevent them.

What is matcha tea and what are its benefits?

Matcha tea is a type of green tea produced by grinding the whole leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. When you drink it, you ingest all the nutrients and antioxidants present in the leaves, providing several benefits for your well-being, such as:

• It accelerates metabolism and increases calorie burning.

• Strengthens the body's defenses and combats pathologies.

• It lifts your mood and improves your ability to focus.

• Take care of your liver and kidneys.

To better understand the benefits of matcha tea, visit our article Matcha tea and weight loss: what you need to know before drinking it .

What are the dangers of matcha tea?

Although matcha tea is very beneficial, its caffeine content also poses risks. This substance stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeine can be beneficial for improving mental and physical abilities. However, it can also cause side effects such as restlessness, sleep disturbances, rapid heart rate, and increased anxiety.

Matcha tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which varies depending on the quality and quantity of the tea. According to the USDA, every 100 g of this tea contains 2.4 g of caffeine. This translates to almost 24 mg per gram. If you make a cup of matcha tea with 2 g, you end up consuming about 48 mg of caffeine. This is about half of what you find in a regular cup of coffee.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the caffeine in matcha tea is absorbed more slowly and released over a longer period of time 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 heart rate, 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 of the 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 caffeine intake for a healthy adult is 400 mg per day, equivalent to about 8 cups of matcha tea. However, this amount can vary depending on each person's sensitivity, weight, age, health status, and other factors. Therefore, it's best to be cautious and not exceed two or three cups of matcha tea per day, and avoid consuming it with other sources of caffeine, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, or medications that contain caffeine.

Additionally, 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, gastric, or nervous conditions, or those taking medications that may interact with caffeine.

How to consume matcha tea safely?

To enjoy the benefits of matcha tea safely, it's 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 most 80°C) and whisk it with a bamboo whisk, electric whisk, or a hand-held kitchen whisk until a foam forms.
• If you add milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners to matcha tea, you'll alter its properties and flavor, so choose wisely. Our recommendation for milk is oat milk.
• 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.
• If you have never consumed caffeine, consult your doctor before consuming matcha tea if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medication.

Conclusion

Matcha tea is a healthy and delicious beverage that can provide many health and weight loss benefits. However, it also has its contraindications and side effects, especially if consumed in excess or if you are sensitive to caffeine. 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.

💚 Choose one of the 2 options and start enjoying a good matcha tea now!

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