Research Database
The only comprehensive database for clinical and medical research papers on the healthy benefits of matcha/green tea
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Cognitive Function
Matcha consumption leads to much higher intake of green tea phytochemicals compared to regular green tea. Previous research on caffeine, L-theanine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) repeatedly demonstrated benefits on cognitive performance.
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Heart Health
According to Harvard Medical School, “lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease may be as easy as drinking green tea. Studies suggest this light, aromatic tea may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may be responsible for the tea's association with reduced risk of death from heart disease and stroke.”
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Mental Health
Matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which has been shown to reduce physiological and psychological stresses. L-theanine also improves cognition and mood in a synergistic manner with caffeine, and promotes alpha wave production in the brain
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Cancer Prevention
Matcha/green tea has for many centuries been regarded as an essential part of good health in Japan and China. Many believe it can help reduce the risk of cancer, and a growing body of evidence backs this up.
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Immunity
A recent study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that drinking matcha daily greatly enhanced the overall response of the immune system. The exceedingly high levels of antioxidants in matcha mainly take the form of polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids, each of which aids the body’s defense in its daily struggles against free radicals that come from the pollution in your air, water and foods.
Learn MoreMost Recent Research Articles
Author: A.M. López de Lacey and B. Giménez and E. Pérez-Santín and R. Faulks and G. Mandalari and M.E. López-Caballero and P. Montero
Simple edible films can be manufactured to meet not only their primary protective purpose but can be easily manipulated to meet sensory expectations and to contain compounds which enhance the protective properties or even have the potential to deliver health benefits. However, the use of such edible films not only to protect the food but as a vehicle to deliver health benefits has not been investigated. In this paper we study agar films containing an aqueous extract of green tea, rich in polyphenol compounds, and the bioaccessibility of these compounds during simulated digestion in the upper gastro-intestinal tract using a dynamic gastric model (DGM) and a static duodenal model. It is concluded that the recovery of the tea compounds added to the agar film mainly occurs in the stomach (50–80%) and that little or no additional recovery is observed in the duodenum. Furthermore, the green tea compounds recovered show both reducing power and radical scavenging ability, but not antimicrobial activity. The bioaccessibility of the green tea flavonols is reduced in the presence of gelatin used to simulate the presence of protein in the stomach, but it is not clear if this is due to reduced release or sequestration of released compounds by the gelatin.
Author: Rachel Johnson and Susan Bryant and Alyson L. Huntley
Background Tea leaves contain varying amounts of polyphenols of which the majority are catechins. There has been a sizable amount of research on the potential effect of green tea catechins for cancer risk, cardiovascular disease risk and weight loss; all conditions that are relevant to mid-life health. The aim was to produce an overview of the evidence for green tea for these three important health conditions. Methods The databases Medline (& Medline in process) and Embase, were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses using customised search strategies performed up until April 2012. Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews criteria were used to assess the quality of the included reviews. Relevant data were extracted into predefined tables. The results are described and discussed narratively. Results We included eight systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering the topics of cancer risk (n = 2), cardiovascular risk (n = 4) and weight loss (n = 2). Conclusions The evidence for green tea and cancer risk is inadequate and inconclusive. However there is some positive evidence for risk reduction of breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancers with green tea. RCTs of green tea and cardiovascular risk factors suggest that green tea may reduce low-density lipoproteins and total cholesterol, although studies are of short duration. There is no robust evidence to support a reduction in coronary artery disease risk in green tea drinkers. There are a considerable number of RCTs to suggest that green tea does reduce body weight in the short term, but this not likely to be of clinical relevance.
Author: Baruch Narotzki and Abraham Z. Reznick and Dror Aizenbud and Yishai Levy
Green tea is a leading beverage in the Far East for thousands of years; it is regarded for a long time as a health product. Green tea is important source of polyphenol antioxidants. Polyphenols including epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) constitute the most interesting components in green tea leaves. Green tea has the potential to protect against various malignant, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. There is a growing body of evidence pointing a beneficial role of green tea and its polyphenols in oral health. Green tea protects against bacterial induced dental caries. Tea polyphenols possess antiviral properties, believed to help in protection from influenza virus. Additionally, green tea polyphenols can abolish halitosis through modification of odorant sulphur components. Oral cavity oxidative stress and inflammation, consequent to cigarette smoking and cigarettes’ deleterious compounds nicotine and acrolein, may be reduced in the presence of green tea polyphenols. Generally, green tea defends healthy cells from malignant transformation and locally has the ability to induce apoptosis in oral cancer cells. All together, there is an increasing interest in the health benefits of green tea in the field of oral health. Nonetheless, there is still a need for more clinical and biological studies to support guidelines for green tea intake as part of prevention and treatment of specific oral pathologies.
ctrometry
Author: Minmin Li and Xingang Liu and Fengshou Dong and Jun Xu and Zhiqiang Kong and Yuanbo Li and Yongquan Zheng
A rapid and effective method for the simultaneous determination of cyflumetofen and its main metabolite residues in samples of plant and animal origin (tomato, apple, eggplant, soybean, green tea, fish, and pork liver) was developed using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned-up with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The determination of the presence of target compounds was achieved in less than 4.0 min using an electrospray ionization source in the positive mode (ESI+) for cyflumetofen and 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzamide (B-3) and the negative mode (ESI−) for α,α,α-trifluoro-o-toluic acid (B-1). The entire method was validated by evaluating the repeatability, linearity, precision, trueness, and matrix effect. Average recoveries of the analytes were in the range of 79.3–117.6% with relative standard deviation values below 7.6%. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.7 to 9.8 μg kg−1, which were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for the cyflumetofen found in foods in Japan.
Author: T.M.A. Monteiro and R.T. Basting and C.P. Turssi and F.M.G. França and F.L.B. Amaral
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of natural (green tea (Camellia sinensis) GT) and synthetic (chlorhexidine-CLX) metalloproteinase inhibitors on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of an etch-and-rinse adhesive to dentin, after 24 h and 6 months of water storage (WS). Thirty human dentin specimens were conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s, rinsed for the same amount of time and dried gently. They were then divided into 3 groups, according to the solution to be applied to the dentin surface (n=10): GT, 2% CLX, or NT (none, as control). CLX and GT solution (20 μl) were applied for 60 s and dried gently with absorbent paper. The adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2, 3M ESPE) was then applied according to the manufacturer's instructions, and a 4-mm composite resin block was built. After 24 h, at 37 °C, resin–dentin blocks were sectioned into 1-mm2 sticks that were assigned into two µTBS test conditions: after being stored in water for 24 h or after 6 months. Data were submitted to repeated-measures two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test, with a 5% significance level. The failure pattern was described in percentage terms. The results showed that the µTBS values in the NT group were significantly higher compared to the GT values. The application of CLX resulted in intermediate µTBS values, which were not statistically different from NT or GT. There was no significant difference between the µTBS values in the two time points of analysis for CLX and GT groups while the NT group showed a significant decrease over time. After 6 months of WS, all groups had µTBS values statistically similar among themselves. It can be concluded that in a short-term evaluation, chlorhexidine showed no interference on bond strength to dentin, while green tea did. After a long-term evaluation, both metalloproteinase inhibitors, chlorhexidine and green tea, were capable of maintaining bond strength stability.
Author: Markus Brückner and Sabine Westphal and Wolfram Domschke and Torsten Kucharzik and Andreas Lügering
Background and aims: Leukocyte infiltration, up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and severe oxidative stress caused by increased amounts of reactive oxygen species are characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease. The catechin (2R,3R)-2-(3,4,5-Trihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate), named epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, reducing reactive oxygen species in the inflamed tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of EGCG in a murine model of colitis induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate. Methods: Mice received a daily oral administration of 6.9 mg/kg body weight EGCG or Piper nigrum (L.) alkaloid (2E,4E)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-piperidin-1-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one, named piperine (2.9 mg/kg body weight) or the combination of the both — piperine was used in this combination to enhance the bioavailability of EGCG. Results:In vivo data revealed the combination of EGCG and piperine to significantly reduce the loss of body weight, improve the clinical course and increase overall survival in comparison to untreated groups. The attenuated colitis was associated with less histological damages to the colon and reduction of tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, the final product of lipid peroxidation. Neutrophils accumulation indicator myeloperoxidase was found to be reduced in colon tissue, while antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase showed an increased activity. In vitro, the treatment with EGCG plus piperine enhanced the expression of SOD as well as GPO and also reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: These data support the concept of anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG being generally beneficial in the DSS-model of colitis, an effect that may be mediated by its strong antioxidative potential.
Author: Xiaoping Yang and Xiaoning Cui
The alkali treated tea residue (ATTR) was used as a novel adsorbent to remove Pb (II) from aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics and underlying adsorption mechanism of Pb (II) on ATTR were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that ATTR had a highly porous surface structure. Comparative studies showed that the removal rate of Pb (II) on ATTR was significantly higher than that on green tea and green tea residue. Batch studies revealed that the solution pH was the key factor affecting Pb (II) adsorption and the maximum pH for efficient adsorption was about 4.5, and the adsorption equilibrium could be obtained within 90 min, and the adsorption kinetic followed the pseudo-second-order model. From the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb (II) was 64.10 mg/g at 25 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were mainly responsible for the adsorption of Pb (II). These suggested that the low-cost ATTR could be used as a potential and appealing adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) from aqueous solutions.
Author: Xinshan Lu and Yan Zhao and Yanfei Sun and Su Yang and Xingbin Yang
This study was to examine the hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides from green tea of Huangshan Maofeng (HMTP) against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in mice. HMTP is an acidic heteropolysaccharide with galactose (35.0%, mol.%), arabinose (28.9%) and galacturonic acid (11.3%) being the main monosaccharide components. HMTP (400 and 800 mg/kg·bw) administered orally daily for 14 days before CCl4 administration significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total-cholesterol and triglycerides. This method of HMTP administration also markedly restrained hepatic lipid peroxidation formation of malondialdehyde and 15-F2t isoprostanes, and elevated the antioxidant levels of hepatic glutathione and superoxide dismutase. These results together with liver histopathology indicated that HMTP exhibited hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced injury, which was found to be comparable to that of biphenyldicarboxylate. The hepatoprotective effects of HMTP may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.
Author: Matthew P.G. Barnett and Janine M. Cooney and Yvonne E.M. Dommels and Katia Nones and Diane T. Brewster and Zaneta Park and Christine A. Butts and Warren C. McNabb and William A. Laing and Nicole C. Roy
Animal models are an important tool to understand the complex pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). This study tested the anti-inflammatory potential of a green tea extract rich in polyphenols (GrTP) in the colon of the multidrug resistance targeted mutation (Mdr1a−/−) mouse model of IBD. Insights into mechanisms responsible for this reduction in inflammation were gained using transcriptome and proteome analyses. Mice were randomly assigned to an AIN-76A (control) or GrTP-enriched diet. At 21 or 24 weeks of age, a colonic histological injury score was determined for each mouse, colon mRNA transcript levels were assessed using microarrays, and colon protein expression was measured using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry protein identification. Mean colonic histological injury score of GrTP-fed Mdr1a−/− mice was significantly lower compared to those fed the control diet. Microarray and proteomics analyses showed reduced abundance of transcripts and proteins associated with immune and inflammatory response and fibrinogenesis pathways, and increased abundance of those associated with xenobiotic metabolism pathways in response to GrTP, suggesting that its anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by multiple molecular pathways. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 appear to be two key molecules which regulate these effects. These results support the view that dietary intake of polyphenols derived from green tea can ameliorate intestinal inflammation in the colon of a mouse model of IBD, and are in agreement with studies suggesting that consumption of green tea may reduce IBD symptoms and therefore play a part in an overall IBD treatment regimen.
Author: Karl Fraser and Geoff A. Lane and Don E. Otter and Yacine Hemar and Siew-Young Quek and Scott J. Harrison and Susanne Rasmussen
Tea is an infusion made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis L. and is the second most consumed beverage in the world. It has been shown that factors such as fermentation methods, cultivar, geographical origin and season can affect the biochemical composition of tea. In this study, the biochemical composition of green, oolong and black commercial tea samples from around the world was studied using a non-targeted method utilising reversed phase ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and high resolution mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis of green, oolong and black tea extracts clearly showed that fermented tea can be resolved from non-fermented tea. When the non-targeted data were combined with the supervised multivariate technique, partial least squares discriminant analysis, the method was able to clearly distinguish ‘country of origin’ within green tea and to a lesser extent within a black tea sample set, plus provide indicative marker ions for the country of origin. Many of the significant components detected in this study are unknowns, emphasising the importance of un-biased non-targeted analytical techniques. This study highlights the potential efficacy of non-targeted UHPLC–mass spectrometry when combined with multivariate statistics to differentiate fermented from non-fermented tea and provide potential indicators of provenance of tea samples for further examination.