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: K. Matsumoto and H. Yamada and N. Takuma and H. Niino and Y.M. Sagesaka
Rationale: Experimental studies have revealed that green tea components prevent upper respiratory tract infection from some pathogens including influenza virus, while the clinical evidence has been inconclusive. This study was conducted to determine whether taking green tea catechins and theanine, which are major components of green tea, can prevent upper respiratory tract infection in adults. Methods:A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 200 adult workers conducted for 5 months from November, 2009 to April, 2010 in three healthcare facil- ities in Higashimurayama, Japan. The catechin/theanine group received capsules including green tea catechins (378mg/day) and theanine (210mg/day). The control group received placebo. The outcome was the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection including influenza infection. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT01008020) Results: Eligible adult workers (n = 197) were enrolled and randomly assigned to an intervention; 98 were allocated to receive catechin/theanine capsules and 99 to placebo. The incidence of upper respiratory tract infection was lower in the catechin/theanine group (46 participants; 47.4%) compared with the placebo group (59 participants; 59.6%), but this difference was not significant (adjusted odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.35 to 1.12; P = 0.116). Conclusion: Among healthcare adult workers, taking green tea catechins and theanine may be effective for the prophylaxis of upper respiratory tract infection.
Author: Amie Kim and Andrew Chiu and Meredith K. Barone and Diane Avino and Fei Wang and Craig I. Coleman and Olivia J. Phung
Green tea catechins (GTCs) have been studied in randomized control trials for their lipid-lowering effects. Studies, however, have been small and demonstrated conflicting results. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the relationship between GTCs and serum lipid levels, including total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database was conducted through March 2010. Randomized controlled trials evaluating GTCs vs control in human beings and reporting efficacy data on at least one of the aforementioned serum lipid endpoints were included. Weighted mean differences for changes from baseline (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for lipid endpoints were calculated using random-effects models. Twenty trials (N=1,415) met all inclusion criteria. Upon meta-analysis, GTCs at doses ranging from 145 to 3,000 mg/day taken for 3 to 24 weeks reduced total (−5.46 mg/dL [−0.14 mmol/L]; 95% CI −9.59 to −1.32) and LDL cholesterol (−5.30 mg/dL [−0.14 mmol/L]; 95% CI −9.99 to −0.62) compared to control. GTCs did not significantly alter HDL cholesterol (−0.27 mg/dL [−0.007 mmol/L]; 95% CI −1.62 to 1.09) or triglyceride (3.00 mg/dL [−0.034 mmol/L]; 95% CI −2.73 to 8.73) levels. The consumption of GTCs is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol levels; however, there was no significant effect on HDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Author: Xiaoqiang Chen and Yuefei Wang and Yalin Wu and Baoyu Han and Yuejin Zhu and Xiaolin Tang and Qinglei Sun
Hot-water extracts of low-grade green tea were precipitated with ethanol, deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid, neutralized with NaOH and fractionated by DEAE-cellulose DE-52 column chromatography to yield three (3) of unexplored polysaccharide-conjugate fractions termed gTPC1, gTPC2 and gTPC3. Monosaccharide and amino acid composition, contents of total neutral sugars, proteins and moistures, HPGPC distribution and Zeta potentials of gTPC1–3 were investigated. Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells to high glucose (33 mM) for 12 h significantly decreased cell viability relative to normal glucose control (p < 0.001). As compared with cell injury group, gTPC1–3 at all of three dose levels (50, 150 and 300 μg/mL) were found to possess remarkably protective effects on HUVE cells against impairments induced by high glucose in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). To contribute toward our understanding of the cell-based protection mechanism of gTPC1–3, the latter were subjected to self-oxidation of 1,2,3-phentriol assay, and their scavenging effects were observed as 55.1%, 47.6% and 47.9% at the concentration of 300 μg/mL, respectively. On the basis of the fact that high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction involves in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contributes to the vascular complications in patients with diabetes, inhibitory effects of gTPC1–3 on high glucose-mediated HUVE cell loss are, at least in part, correlated with their potential scavenging potency of ROS. Taken together, gTPC1–3 could be developed as non-cytotoxic candidates of therapeutic agent for diabetic vascular complications.
Author: Thomas C. Chen and Weijun Wang and Encouse B. Golden and Simmy Thomas and Walavan Sivakumar and Florence M. Hofman and Stan G. Louie and Axel H. Schönthal
The alkylating agent temozolomide, in combination with surgery and radiation, is the current standard of care for patients with glioblastoma. However, despite this extensive therapeutic effort, the inclusion of temozolomide extends survival only by a few short months. Among the factors contributing to chemoresistance is elevated expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein 78; BiP), a key pro-survival component of the ER stress response system. Because the green tea component EGCG (epigallocatechin 3-gallate) had been shown to inhibit GRP78 function, we investigated whether this polyphenolic agent would be able to increase the therapeutic efficacy of temozolomide in preclinical models of glioblastoma. Mice with intracranially implanted human U87 (p53 wild type) or U251 (p53 mutant) glioblastoma cells were treated with temozolomide and EGCG, alone and in combination. We found that EGCG alone did not provide survival benefit, but significantly improved the existing therapeutic effect of temozolomide, i.e., life extension was substantially greater under combination therapy as compared to temozolomide therapy alone. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue revealed increased expression levels of GRP78 in temozolomide-treated animals, which was diminished when temozolomide was combined with EGCG. Parallel in vitro experiments with siRNA targeting GRP78 or its major pro-apoptotic antagonist CHOP (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein/GADD153) further established a critical role of the ER stress response system, where si-GRP78 sensitized cells to treatment with temozolomide, and si-CHOP provided protection from drug-induced toxicity. Thus, ER stress-regulatory components affect the chemotherapeutic response of glioblastoma cells to treatment with temozolomide, and inclusion of EGCG is able to increase the therapeutic efficacy of this DNA-damaging agent.
Author: G.B. Fanaro and R.C. Duarte and M.M. Araújo and E. Purgatto and A.L.C.H. Villavicencio
The aim of this study was to evaluate the gamma radiation effects on green tea odor volatiles in green tea at doses of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy. The volatile organic compounds were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The green tea had a large influence on radiation effects, increasing the identified volatiles in relation to control samples. The dose of 10 kGy was responsible to form the majority of new odor compounds following by 5 and 20 kGy. However, the dose of 5 kGy was the dose that degraded the majority of volatiles in non-irradiated samples, following by 20 kGy. The dose of 15 kGy showed has no effect on odor volatiles. The gamma radiation, at dose up to 20 kGy, showed statistically no difference between irradiated and non irradiated green tea on odors compounds.
Author: Jang-Eun Lee and Bum-Jin Lee and Jin-Oh Chung and Hyun-Jung Shin and Sang-Jun Lee and Cherl-Ho Lee and Young-Shick Hong
The metabolic behavior of green tea (Camellia sinensis) during tea fermentation was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to provide comprehensive information on changes in metabolites induced by tea fermentation. Fourteen tea metabolites of epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), theanine, alanine, acetate, quinate, glutamate, caffeine, sucrose, glucose, and gallate, as identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy, were responsible for metabolic differentiation between green tea and fermented tea by principal component analysis. During tea fermentation, levels of EC, EGC, ECG, EGCG, quinate, caffeine, and sucrose were decreased, whereas gallate and glucose levels were increased. In particular, unique changes in caffeine and gallate levels were observed during tea fermentation, which caffeine and gallate levels have been shown to vary after tea fermentation among many reports to date. This study highlights that metabolomics with global profiling and a highly reliable and reproducible 1H NMR spectroscopic data set can provide a better understanding of unique changes in tea metabolites during tea fermentation.
Author: C. Samaniego-Sánchez and Y. Inurreta-Salinas and J.J. Quesada-Granados and R. Blanca-Herrera and M. Villalón-Mir and H. López-García de la Serrana and M.C. López Martínez
This paper presents an investigation into the influence of several culinary factors, such as water temperature, infusion time, stirring and dosage form, on polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity (TEAC values) during the domestic preparation of green tea. The results obtained show that water temperature and infusion time strongly influence total polyphenol levels and the antioxidant capacity of green tea. Temperatures of 70–80 °C together with infusion times of 3–5 min produced greatest effect, in this respect. At 90 °C, extraction was faster and more effective. However, prolonged infusion at this temperature may cause a loss of polyphenol compounds and, consequently, of antioxidant capacity. Factors such as agitation and dosage form do not seem to have much influence. Furthermore, it was found that pure green tea infusions have higher antioxidant properties than do blends of green tea with aromatic herbs and fruits.
Author: S. Ellinger and N. Müller and P. Stehle and G. Ulrich-Merzenich
Purpose Epidemiological data suggest that green tea (GT) consumption may protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and different types of cancer. This effect is attributed primarily to the antioxidant properties of flavanols from GT. This review provides an overview of controlled intervention studies investigating the effect of GT consumption on antioxidant effects ex vivo and in vivo. Methods The Medline and Cochrane databases were searched independently by two investigators for controlled intervention studies (English) on GT consumption and antioxidant effects published up to June 2010. Thirty-one studies investigating antioxidant effects ex vivo [plasma antioxidant capacity (AC), DNA's resistance against oxidative induced damage) or in vivo (lipid and protein oxidation, DNA damage] met the criteria. Results were compared by considering the participants, the dose of GT, the amount of ingested flavanols, the duration of supplementation and the investigated biomarkers. Results The comparison between the studies was difficult as relevant data, e.g., on flavanol concentration in plasma (10 of 31 studies) or on major antioxidants contributing to AC, were often missing. Lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were commonly investigated. Data on protein oxidation are scarce. An antioxidant effect of at least one parameter (increase in AC or reduction of oxidative stress marker) was observed in 15 out of 22 studies by daily consumption of GT, primarily in participants exposed to oxidative stress (smokers or mixed collectives of smokers and non-smokers and physical activity) and in 6 out of 9 studies investigating the bolus consumption of GT. Conclusion There is limited evidence that regular consumption of GT in amounts of at least 0.6–1.5 l/day may increase AC and reduce lipid peroxidation (especially oxidation of LDL). This may contribute to the protection against CVDs and different types of cancer. Beneficial effects seem to be more likely in participants exposed to oxidative challenge.
Author: Forouzanfar Ali and Orafai Hossein and Maroofian Ahmad and Golestani Shayan
Introduction: Recently great interest has been focused on the biological properties of green tea catechins because of their health benefits such as anti-inflamatory, anti-oxigenicity, anti-mutagenicity, anti-tumorgenicity and anti-carcinogenicity. These catechins are polyphenolic compounds belonging to the flavonoid family, which are present in relatively high concentration in green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) and, at lower levels, in grape seeds and Cistus species. The aim of this study is to introduce catechin molecules structure and their potential therapeutic properties on various diseases. Materials and methods: The catechins are composed of a family of four major substances, epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (Ecg), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and four minor catechins, catechin©, catechin gallate (Cg), galloca- techin (GC) and gallocatechin gallate (GCg) as epimers of the major catechins. Organic solvents such as methanol and acetonitrile or hot water have been used as solvents to extract catechins from tea leaves. Results: Green tea catechins consumption have been linked to a lower incidence of various pathologies, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, diabetes, obesity, allergy, asthma, arthritis, immune system disorders, oral and periodontal diseases, osteoporo- sis, bacterial and viral infections and dermatological lesions. Recently we have shown that green tea catechins have improved periodontal status of patients with gingivitis suffering from gum inflammation and bleeding. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this review green tea catechins can be extracted by various methods and used in different pharmaceutical forms. Several studies have shown that green tea catechins can be applied for preventing and treating numerous diseases.
Author: Dulce M.A. Gil and Pedro L.V. Falé and Maria L.M. Serralheiro and Maria J.F. Rebelo
An amperometric biosensor containing immobilised laccase from Trametes versicolor was used for the quantification of phenolic compounds in herbal infusions and green tea samples, from nine botanical families. The main purpose of this research was to correlate the bioelectrochemical polyphenolic index (BPI) of the samples with the total phenolic content according to the Folin–Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method (TPC), and the total antioxidant activity (TAA) measured by TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). A strong correlation between BPI, TPC, and TAA was obtained for 10 herbal infusion samples. However, when a green tea sample was taken into account, a decrease in the linear correlation coefficient (r2) from 0.9949 to 0.2599 and 0.5609 to 0.1086 for the relationship between BPI/TPC and BPI/TAA, respectively, was observed. Thus, we could conclude that the green tea’s matrix affects the laccase-based biosensor response. HPLC–DAD analysis showed the presence of gallic acid only in the green tea sample. The results have indicated that gallic acid inhibited the laccase activity regarding the ABTS oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. The very strong correlation between BPI/TPC obtained for herbal infusions allow us to conclude that the laccase-based biosensor, used in this research, provides a valuable tool to obtain a valid estimation of the classical Folin–Ciocalteu index, in an uncomplicated and fast way.