Wondering what all the matcha hype is about? You're probably seeing it just about everywhere. And that's because its popularity in the UK and across the world has surged significantly recently, especially in 2024 and now in to 2025.
But is matcha good for you, or is it just a trend with its vibrant, Insta-worthy look? I'm not one to jump onto any old social media bandwagon, and neither should you be.
The thing is though, matcha belongs in the spotlight. It isn't new. It's been cherished for centuries long before social media got the matcha hook. Some benefits are hugely noticeable, while science is discovering more about what matcha can actually do for us.
Here, I'll explain what matcha is, and why it's so good for you.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is in the green tea family. It comes from the same plant called the Camellia sinensis – yet it's very different to its green sibling.
Simply put, matcha is all the best bits of the leaf, ground down by stone into a very fine powder.
So there's your first stark difference: with green tea, you typically soak the teabag in water and drink its infusions; but with matcha, you stir the powder into water and drink it - which means you're consuming the entire contents and all its nutritional value.
Therefore, matcha is more potent and effective.
And this stems right from how the leaf is grown and harvested for matcha. This leaf is grown underneath bamboo mats, protected from the sunlight. Why? Because this increases the chlorophyll and amino acid levels, which are hugely beneficial and indeed the wizardry behind the cognitive and health benefits we get from matcha.
Now, there are two major types of matcha you can get: ceremonial, and culinary. With ceremonial (which is what Matcha Flow is), the leaves are harvested when they're young and 'juicy', and the hard, bitter parts of the leaves - such as the stems and veins - are carefully removed so we're left with only the best bits.
With culinary, it's lower-grade - the leaves are a little older when they're harvested, and some of the more bitter parts of the leaf are salvaged. Culinary is much more suitable for cooking and baking.
If you're buying matcha to drink, go for ceremonial grade, always.
Why Matcha Is Good For You
Matcha is very good for you, for a number of reasons. I'm going to kick this off with the biggest reason people flock to matcha, and that's what it can do for stable energy levels.
Regulates Your Energy
We all would love to be able to achieve more, think more clearly, and maintain focus in our busy days. We used to 'achieve' this with a cup of coffee, one after the other.
But it's no hidden issue that coffee can make you cranky. It boosts you for a little while, though many experience headaches or feelings of nervousness with it. Then it wears off, and you're left in a slump... so you head off to make another cup.
This isn't sustainable, nor healthy. Which is why so many people prefer matcha. With matcha, you get a lower dose of caffeine (around half / just over half of what you'd get in a coffee) combined with a very helpful amino acid called L-theanine.
The L-theanine balances out the energy levels in a calm, sustainable manner. So instead of fluctuating highs and crashes, you get mental clarity, settled focus, no headaches, and a less stressed headspace - a perfect mental environment for productivity and even decision making in challenging situations.
This energy lasts much longer, too (Matcha Flow, which is a blend of matcha and other marvellous ingredients, will keep you energised for up to six hours).
Brain Function and Concentration
There's a lot of crossover between the cognitive improvements we experience, and the points I've just made - so I'll keep this one short...
A lot of people buy matcha for what it can do for attention span, reaction time, and memory. You suffer less mental fatigue when you drink matcha, which is a mega advantage for many of us.
This is the L-theanine and caffeine at play. With it, you're in a state of relaxed alertness from increased alpha brainwave activity, which is perfect for sustained concentration. Matcha is popular with the likes of CEOs, students, gamers, and other professionals for this reason.
The antioxidants in matcha (which I'll cover next) also help protect us from cognitive ageing and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Rich in Antioxidants
Matcha is one of nature's most potent sources of antioxidants. You think green tea is good for this? Well matcha contains over 10 times more, and 137 times more antioxidant catechins than many other varieties.
These powerful compounds, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), help neutralize harmful free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and protect our cells from damage.
It's as though we're drenching our bodies in helpful antioxidants with matcha, and doing so can help prevent cellular damage and reduce the risk of us developing chronic diseases.
That famous vibrant green colour is the high levels of chlorophyll in it, which helps detoxify and promote red blood cell production.
Heart Health and Cholesterol Management
Matcha contributes significantly to our cardiovascular wellness in a number of ways. The catechins in it help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, and they improve the elasticity in our blood vessels, which is great for arterial function.
Drinking matcha regularly can also help increase good (HDL) cholesterol while reducing bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Those anti-inflammatories I've mentioned also protect the heart and blood vessels from oxidative damage.
Weight Management Benefits
Matcha naturally boosts metabolism and enhances fat oxidation, which means the body can efficiently convert stored fat into energy.
A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the matcha can significantly increase our calorie-burn rate from 8-10% right up to 35-43% - without negatively impacting our blood pressure or heart rate.
And of course, the caffeine content can contribute towards thermogenesis, which all works in favour of improved metabolism as opposed to against it.
Does Matcha Have Caffeine?
Yes, but it's less than you'd get in a cup of coffee (and a little more than a green tea), which makes it a great coffee alternative if you're sensitive to caffeine. Plus, you also have that L-theanine as a balancer, so you won't react erratically to it, nor suffer a caffeine crash. Want to know more - check out his article about matcha and caffeine.
Having said that, I'd still avoid drinking matcha in the late afternoon or evening so that your sleep routine isn't disturbed.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Generally, there isn't much that can go wrong with matcha; it delivers so many wellness benefits and a calm energy, that minimal side effects have been reported.
But we are all unique and different, so of course it's possible you may not get on with it. If you're super sensitive to caffeine, then it may be best to avoid anything with any caffeine in.
If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, then always speak to your GP before starting any new supplement, in case there's risk of a negative interaction with matcha. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, matcha is generally safe in moderation, but again check with your midwife or GP for individual advice.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: yes, matcha is good for you. Starting your day with a matcha ritual will see you through for a good few hours, instead of having to top up your coffee every hour or so. Those cranky headaches and feelings of anxiety can become a calm mindset for clearer thinking and decision making.
Then you have all the long-term benefits from longer-term use - improved brain function, less risk of chronic and neurodegenerative diseases, and even a positive tilt towards weight loss... there really isn't a lot that can go wrong.
So long as you remember to steer clear of late-afternoon consumption, you'll enjoy a wellness uptick all thanks to the green delights of matcha.
Purchase ceremonial grade like Matcha Flow for all the good notes and minimal bitterness, and you'll easily become a matcha fanatic like so many others.
Sources:
- https://absolute-vitality.co.uk/matcha
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14518774/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927122002180
