Powdered green tea, or matcha, is a high quality tea used as a flavorful ingredient in recipes and for tea in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Because green tea powder is not filtered through a strainer or tea bag, the whole tea leaf is ingested. Healthy compounds in the leaf are not thrown away, so powdered green tea retains high levels of fiber and antioxidants. Powdered green tea is low in calories, yet rich in protein. The tea is a powerful medical treatment as well as a food.
Powdered Green Tea
The leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, are the source of black, green and oolong tea, but the preparation of powdered green tea is different than for other types of tea. Mats cover the tea leaves prior to harvesting, making the budding tea leaves rich in chlorophyll. The abundance of this green pigment in matcha accounts for its distinctive color. Briefly steaming the leaves immediately after harvesting locks in the color. Dried tea leaves are ground into a fine powder for use as tea, a cooking ingredient or a supplement.
Nutrients in Green Tea
Powdered green tea is a low-calorie nutritious food. According to Aiya, a matcha manufacturer, 1 g of powdered tea has 2.76 calories, 333 mg of carbohydrates with 314 mg as dietary fiber, 274 mg of protein and 37 mg of fat. Powdered green tea contains 1.85 mg vitamin C, 0.183 mg vitamin E and 0.3 mg of vitamin A as beta carotene per gram. Minerals include 20.5 mg potassium, 3.28 mg calcium and 0.13 mg iron per gram of tea.
Health Benefits
MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health and U.S. National Library of Medicine, states that the caffeine in green tea improves mental alertness. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports green tea may boost metabolism and aid weight loss. According to Aiya, there are 34 mg of caffeine per gram of powdered green tea. Aiya reports there are 134 mg of catechins per gram of powdered green tea, a type of polyphenol antioxidant. The University of Maryland Medical Center attributes many of the health benefits of green tea to polyphenols, which repair cellular damage and help prevent disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea reduces the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, certain types of cancer, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
Precautions
Powdered green tea is rich in healthful compounds, yet it is possible to ingest too much of some of these chemicals. Additionally, certain individuals may experience negative effects from taking green tea. MedlinePlus states side effects from too much caffeine may include headache, irritability, heartburn and more serious symptoms including irregular heartbeat and convulsions. According to MedlinePlus, green tea may worsen anemia and anxiety. Green tea interacts with several medications, so if you are taking any drugs it is advisable to check with your medical professional to make certain powdered green tea is safe for you.
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