Dangers of matcha tea, what you need to know

Matcha tea is an ancient beverage that has recently become famous for its health and weight loss benefits. Despite this, matcha tea can be harmful and cause unwanted effects if taken in excessive amounts. Here we explain the risks of matcha tea and how to prevent them.

What is matcha tea and what are its advantages?

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, giving it several benefits for your well-being such as,

• Accelerate metabolism and increase calorie burning.

• Strengthen the body's defenses and fight diseases.

• Boost mood and improve the 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, there are also risks due to its caffeine content. This substance stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeine can be good for improving mental and physical abilities. However, it can also cause unwanted effects such as restlessness, sleep disorders, tachycardia, or increased anxiety.

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

However, it should be noted that the caffeine in matcha tea is absorbed more slowly and released more gradually than that in coffee, due to the presence of L-theanine, an amino acid that modulates its effects. That is why matcha tea provides more sustained and balanced energy, without causing nervousness, tachycardia, or insomnia.

However, this does not mean that matcha tea can be consumed without limit, as excessive intake can cause a caffeine overdose, which can have serious health consequences. Some symptoms of a caffeine overdose are:

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

According to the Mayo Clinic, the maximum recommended caffeine dose for a healthy adult is 400 mg per day, which equals 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 is best to be cautious and not exceed 2 or 3 cups of matcha tea per day, and avoid consuming it along with other caffeine sources, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, or medications containing it.

Also, some people should avoid or limit matcha tea consumption, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, the elderly, people with heart, kidney, liver, stomach, or nervous system problems, or those taking medications that may interact with caffeine.

How to consume matcha tea safely?

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

• Choose a good quality matcha tea, preferably organic, that does not contain additives, colorants, sugars, or pesticides.
• Prepare matcha tea with hot water, but not boiling, at a maximum of about 80ºC, and whisk it with a bamboo whisk, electric whisk, or manual kitchen whisk until foam forms.
• If you add milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners to matcha tea, you will 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 along with other sources of caffeine.
• If you have never consumed 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 drink that can provide many health and weight loss benefits. However, it also has contraindications and side effects, especially if consumed in excess or if you have sensitivity to caffeine. Therefore, it is best to consume matcha tea safely, following the recommendations we have given you in this article. This way you can enjoy its benefits without risking your health.

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

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