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If you scroll through social media, you’ve likely seen countless images of a jade-colored substance called matcha. A powder derived from green tea leaves and traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, its popularity has boomed in the United States in recent years. That's largely due to its supposed health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease.
But is matcha really as good for you as some say? If so, how can you reap the perks?
Sources: Clemson Cooperative Extension. What is m... + 10
- Clemson Cooperative Extension. What is matcha? A guide to this traditional green tea powder. December, 10, 2025.
- Alexandra Sifferlin. Should You Drink Matcha Tea? Time Magazine. May 8, 2018.
- Sakurai K, Shen C, et al. Effects of Matcha Green Tea Powder on Cognitive Functions of Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 26;12(12):3639.
- Willems MET, Şahin MA, Cook MD. Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018 Sep 1;28(5):536-541.
- Dietz C, Dekker M, Piqueras-Fiszman B. An intervention study on the effect of matcha tea, in drink and snack bar formats, on mood and cognitive performance. Food Res Int. 2017 Sep;99(Pt 1):72-83.
- Wang ZM, Chen B, et al. Green tea consumption and the risk of stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Nutrition. 2023 Mar;107:111936.
- Wang ZM, Zhao D, et al. Green tea consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 Apr;33(4):715-723.
- Hartley L, Flowers N, et al. Green and black tea for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD009934.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Green Tea. February 2025.
- Tod Cooperman. Green Tea Review: Supplements, Brewable, Matcha, and Bottled. ConsumerLab.com. September 29, 2020.
- Breakaway Matcha. How to Store Matcha. 2021. Accessed May 14, 2021.
