Matcha for Alzheimer’s, dental disease, and more
Key Takeaways
Green tea has established health benefits, but one type has a significantly higher amount of bioavailable compounds: matcha.
Matcha has stronger antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects; it also boosts brain health, can protect against periodontal disease, and supports exercise recovery, among other benefits.
Research indicates that matcha can help reduce amyloid-β production and insulin resistance, potentially protecting against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
While green tea’s benefits may seem like old news, new research has uncovered some of matcha’s unique health-promoting properties.
Compared with other green teas, matcha has a higher concentration of bioavailable compounds, including chlorophyll and theanine, due to how it is grown. Once harvested, match is ground into a powder, using every part of the leaf.[]
Aging, cognition, and neurodegenerative disease
The polyphenols and caffeine in matcha are associated with better brain health. Matcha has epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which reduces amyloid-β production and insulin resistance to protect against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.[]
Regular caffeine consumption is also linked to less age-related cognitive decline, particularly in older women.[]
However, one study attempted to evaluate matcha’s effects independent of caffeine. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study divided participants into three groups. Over a 12-week test period, they received nine capsules each morning of placebo, caffeine, or matcha. While caffeine was associated with faster reaction times in cognitive function tests, researchers found that the theanine in matcha provided anti-stress effects that improved attention.[]
In addition, matcha is exceptionally high in the powerful polyphenol that reduces inflammation and oxidation in the brain: rutin. Matcha has more rutin than even buckwheat—one of the best food sources.[]
Dental health and immunity
Matcha has antimicrobial properties that show promise in the fight against periodontal disease. The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis is primarily responsible for periodontitis. During a Japanese study, matcha inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis in the lab.[]
The study measured the effects of matcha mouthwash used twice daily for 1 month in 45 adult participants with periodontitis. Matcha mouthwash effectively reduced P. gingivalis in saliva samples, whereas no significant changes were observed in groups given mouthwashes with barley tea or the anti-inflammatory substance sodium azulene sulfonate hydrate.
While the matcha mouthwash positively impacted shallow periodontal pockets, it wasn’t as effective on deeper pockets of periodontitis. As a result, the researchers suggested that perhaps administering matcha in a gel or ointment via more targeted methods like a syringe may be worth considering.[]
Exercise recovery and metabolism
A cup of matcha has double the concentration of catechins as standard green tea infusions. Matcha is also higher in vitamin K, fiber, and the carotenoid lutein.
Matcha protects the body against stress (as measured by salivary cortisol levels) and fatigue from exercise. During a 12-week intervention, matcha promoted a more significant skeletal muscle response to resistance training in young men compared to placebo due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.[]
According to other studies on matcha and the regulation of the central nervous system, “Matcha green tea has been reported to have outstanding potential in regulating obesity-related metabolic syndrome.” Matcha supplements have been proposed as a potential intervention to reduce fat accumulation, blood sugar, and the chronic inflammation of obesity.[]
All green tea has known antidiabetic effects, but the compounds in matcha tea have superior bioavailability. Analyses have shown that the antioxidant activity in matcha tea is up to 2.4 times greater than in regular green tea. Matcha also inhibits α-glucosidase at a 1.7-times-higher rate.[]
What this means for you
Matcha is growing in popularity, which could spell positive changes for you and your patients. Whether you’re in the market for a new dental hygiene product or workout supplement, or you simply want to elevate your current tea-drinking habit to new heights, matcha offers readily available antioxidants with a wide range of health benefits. Unlike many health trends that overpromise and underdeliver, matcha seems to be the real deal.