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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
Green tea catechin as a chemical chaperone in cancer prevention
Author: Takashi Kuzuhara and Masami Suganuma and Hirota Fujiki
Green tea catechins have recently gained significant acceptance as a cancer preventive, and one of the important features of catechins is their interactions with various target molecules. We recently found a functional and structural similarity between catechins and chaperones: Stochastic conformational analysis in silico revealed numerous conformations of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, (−)-epicatechin gallate and (−)-epigallocatechin, showing a unique flexibility and mobility of the catechin molecules and suggesting the significance of a galloyl group in conformational variation. Since these conformations result in interaction with various types of molecules, we think that green tea catechin induces cancer preventive activity mediated through a chaperone-like property.
Exploration of linear multivariate calibration techniques to predict the total antioxidant capacity of green tea from chromatographic fingerprints
Author: M. Dumarey and A.M. van Nederkassel and E. Deconinck and Y. Vander Heyden
Nowadays fingerprinting is a generally applied technique for the identification and quality assessment of herbal products. In this study it was aimed to predict a quantitative property, the antioxidant capacity of green tea, from chromatographic fingerprints. Different linear multivariate calibration techniques, commonly applied on spectral data, were explored and compared. When the chromatograms were appropriately pretreated, all tested techniques were able to predict the total antioxidant capacity with a precision comparable to that of the reference method (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay). Stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) however is less recommended because of inadequate variable selection. Principal components regression (PCR) also seems less preferable, because large variations not correlated with the total antioxidant capacity were also included in the model. This problem does not occur with partial least squares (PLS) models. Of all tested PLS methods, orthogonal projections to latent structures (O-PLS) was preferred because of its simplicity, reproducibility, good interpretability of the compounds’ contribution to the antioxidant capacity and its good predictive and describing abilities.
Prophylactic effect of green tea polyphenols against liver and kidney injury induced by fenitrothion insecticide
Author: Manal E.A. Elhalwagy and Nevine S. Darwish and Enass M. Zaher
The ameliorative effect of daily administrated dose of green tea extract (60 mg polyphenols/animal/day) was investigated on albino rats Rattus norvegicus (150–180 gm) intoxicated with 1/30 and 1/60 LD50 fenitrothion organophosphate insecticide for 28 days. Blood samples were taken at 14 and 28 days for further biochemical parameters. Histopathological studies were carried out in the liver and kidney at the end of the experiment. Significant inhibition in plasma cholinesterase (ChE), a biomarker of Ops, was recorded. Damage in the liver and kidney tissues was observed and confirmed with elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotaransferase (AST), albumin, urea and creatinine, as well as an elevation in the oxidative stress (OS) marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Decrease in total glutathione (GSH) content in erythrocytes and fluctuation in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in plasma was also observed. Green tea supplementation (60 mg/animal/day) partially counteracts the toxic effect of fenitrothion on oxidative stress parameters and repairs tissue damage in the liver and kidney, especially when supplemented to 1/60 LD50 intoxicated animals depending on the duration. It seems that enzyme and metabolite markers of these organs need more time to be restored to the control level.
Gendered information on sensory, hedonic and familiarity ratings of green tea by female Japanese students
Author: Kumi Hirokawa and Kazuko Yamazawa
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of gendered information (masculine and feminine) on sensory, hedonic, and familiarity ratings by Japanese female undergraduate students. Japanese green tea, Chinese sweet tea, and Chinese bitter tea were used. After listening to gendered information, participants tasted samples and scored them. The results showed that participants scored the samples of Japanese green tea as more aromatic, sweet, pleasant, and familiar when they were subjected to feminine rather than masculine information. Gendered information may influence on sensory, hedonic, and familiarity ratings.
Consumption of green tea favorably affects oxidative stress markers in weight-trained men
Author: Vilma Simões Pereira Panza and Elisabeth Wazlawik and Gustavo Ricardo Schütz and Leandro Comin and Karl Christian Hecht and Edson Luiz da Silva
Objective This study investigated the effects of the consumption of green tea (GT) for 7 d on biomarkers of oxidative stress in young men undergoing resistance exercise. Methods Fourteen subjects performed a bench press exercise (four sets, 10 to 4 repetitions) after undergoing a period without (control group) or with the intake of GT (GT group; 2 g of leaves in 200 mL of water, three times per day). Blood samples were obtained before and after exercise and analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]), total polyphenols, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid hydroperoxide (LH) and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), xanthine oxidase (XO), hypoxanthine, and uric acid (UA). Results In the control group, exercise did not affect the values of LH, thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances, and FRAP, although it did reduce the levels of GSH (P < 0.05). In addition, exercise increased CK, AST, and XO activities, although it did not change the values for hypoxanthine or UA. Green tea reduced the postexercise concentration of LH and increased the values of total polyphenols, GSH, and FRAP. GT also inhibited a significant rise in CK and XO activities induced by exercise. Furthermore, GT decreased the AST activity and hypoxanthine and UA concentrations before and after exercise. The assessment of food consumption revealed that the participants had an unbalanced diet, particularly in relation to vitamin E and carotenoids. Conclusion Consumption of GT, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasized.
In vitro antimicrobial activities against cariogenic streptococci and their antioxidant capacities: A comparative study of green tea versus different herbs
Author: Tzung-Hsun Tsai and Tsung-Hsien Tsai and You-Chia Chien and Chi-Wei Lee and Po-Jung Tsai
The antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria, total antioxidant capacity and phenolic constituents of methanolic extracts from 11 herbs were investigated and compared with those of green tea (Camellia sinensis). Among the 12 tested herbs, eight herbal extracts could inhibit the growth of Streptococcus sanguinis. Jasmine, jiaogulan, and lemongrass were the most potent, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 1 mg/ml, while green tea was less effective, with a MIC of 4 mg/ml. Among them, only rosemary could inhibit the growth of S. mutans at a MIC of 4 mg/ml. Total antioxidant capacities of herbal extracts were analyzed by three different assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) radical scavenging activity, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Regardless of the assays used, green tea exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by osmanthus. Wide variations in total phenolics and total flavonoids of herbal tea extracts were observed. Chlorogenic acid was detected in high amount in honeysuckle and duzhong. These data suggest that rosemary is a potent inhibitor of oral streptococci, and green tea and osmanthus may be effective potential sources of natural antioxidants.
Selective caffeine removal from green tea using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction
Author: Wan-Joo Kim and Jae-Duck Kim and Jåaehoon Kim and Seong-Geun Oh and Youn-Woo Lee
Caffeine and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) were extracted from green tea using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) with water as a cosolvent. Experimental conditions were carefully chosen to selectively extract a large amount of caffeine from the green tea while to remain a large amount of EGCG in the green tea. Various experimental conditions were explored including temperatures ranging 40–80 °C, pressure ranging 200–400 bar, and water contents ranging 4–7 wt%. At 40 °C, 400 bar and the water content of 7 wt%, the caffeine extraction yield was 54% while the EGCG extraction yield was 21%, resulting in caffeine/EGCG extraction selectivity of 2.57. The larger caffeine extraction yield agreed well with estimation of solubility parameter differences between SCCO2/water and caffeine/EGCG. The extraction results using SCCO2/water were compared with conventional liquid solvent extraction using water or ethanol. The selectivity of caffeine/EGCG extraction with water was 0.88 and the selectivity of caffeine/EGCG extraction was 0.24 with ethanol. Thus SCCO2 extraction with water as a cosolvent is suitable for the selective extraction of caffeine from the green tea.
Effect of green tea extract on obese women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Author: Chung-Hua Hsu and Tung-Hu Tsai and Yung-Hsi Kao and Kung-Chang Hwang and Ting-Yu Tseng and Pesus Chou
Summary Aims To examine the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on obese women and to explore the relationship between GTE and obesity-related hormone peptides. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from July 2006 to June 2007 in Taipei Hospital, Taiwan. Seventy-eight of 100 obese women aged between 16 and 60 years with BMI > 27 kg/m2 and who had not received any other weight control maneuvers within the last 3 months completed this study. The subjects were randomly divided into Groups A and B. Group A (n = 41) received GTE while Group B (n = 37) took cellulose as a placebo, one capsule (400 mg) three times each day for 12 weeks. The body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumflex (WC) were measured at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks of treatment with GTE. The data were compared and expressed as % reduction. Results There was only a 0.3% reduction in BW (0.15 kg) after 12 weeks of treatment with GTE. There was no statistical difference in % reduction in BW, BMI and WC between the GTE and placebo groups. Within group comparison revealed that the GTE group had significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride, and marked increase in the level of HDL-cholesterol, adiponectin and ghrelin. On the other hand, the placebo group showed significant reduction in triglyceride only, and a marked increase in the level of ghrelin alone. Conclusions This study showed no statistical difference in % reduction in BW, BMI and WC between the GTE and placebo groups after 12 weeks of treatment. The intake of GTE (491 mg catechins containing 302 mg EGCG) for 12 weeks is considered safe as shown by the results.
Evaluation of toxicity of green tea catechins with 90-day dietary administration to F344 rats
Author: S. Takami and T. Imai and M. Hasumura and Y.-M. Cho and J. Onose and M. Hirose
Green tea catechins (GTC), polyphenols extracted from the stalks and leaves of Camellia sinensis, are found in the different types of tea beverages and as antioxidant additives to many foods, snacks, fats and fatty oils. As a part of their safety assessment, subchronic toxicity was investigated in male and female F344 rats with dietary administration at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.3%, 1.25% and 5.0% for 90 days. The average daily intakes of GTC in each group were 180, 764 and 3525 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively for males, and 189, 820 and 3542 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively for females. No mortality or obvious clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period but body weights were reduced from week 1 to the end of the experiment in 5.0% males. In serum biochemistry, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in 5.0% males and females and aspartate transaminase in 5.0% females were increased, together with the relative liver weights in both sexes receiving 5.0%. Although decreases were evident for total cholesterol in 0.3–5.0% males and triglycerides in 1.25% and 5.0% males and 5.0% females, these changes were not considered to be adverse. Hematology and histopathological observation revealed no GTC-related toxicological changes. Based on above findings, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of GTC was estimated to be 1.25% (764 mg/kg body weight/day for males and 820 mg/kg body weight/day for females).
Possible carcinogenic risks of copper gluconate and their prevention by co-administered green tea catechins evaluated by a rat medium-term multi-organ carcinogenicity bioassay protocol
Author: Masayoshi Abe and Noriko Suzuki and Midori Yoshida and Koji Usuda and Satoshi Furukawa and Lekh Raj Juneja and Tsutomu Okubo and Dai Nakae
Carcinogenic risks of copper gluconate, green tea catechins and their combined exposure were evaluated using a rat medium-term multi-organ carcinogenicity bioassay protocol. Male BrlHan:WIST@Jcl (GALAS) rats were given N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), N-methylnitrosourea (MNU), 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) and 2,2′-dihydroxy-di-n-propylnitrosamine (DHPN) for a total multiple initiation period of 4 weeks (DMBDD treatment). Rats were then given a diet containing copper gluconate at a concentration of 0, 10, 300, 3000 or 6000 ppm with or without a co-administration of catechins starting 1 week later by admixing in the drinking water at a concentration of 5000 ppm. All survivors were sacrificed at the end of week 29. Number of putatively preneoplastic, glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive, liver lesions significantly increased by copper gluconate of 300 ppm or greater. In addition, both incidence and grade of hyperplasia in the forestomach significantly increased by copper gluconate of 6000 ppm. Catechins, exerting no effects by themselves, inhibited these effects of copper gluconate. The present results indicate that copper gluconate may possess carcinogenic risks for the liver and forestomach at its high dose level, and that co-administered green tea catechins may exert preventive effects.