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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
Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of green tea extract and selenium on CCL4-induced fibrosis
Author: Mona F. Mahmoud and A. Fahmy and Marwa A. Auf
Background & aims This investigation aimed to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of green tea extract and selenium on liver fibrosis in comparison with silymarin and to study the underlying mechanisms. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by i.p. injection of CCL4 (3 times a week for 6 weeks in a dose of 25 μl/100 gb.w). Green tea extract (200 mg/kg), selenium (0.945 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) were given orally and daily for 8 weeks (2 weeks before CCL4 and 6 weeks along with CCL4). Results CCL4-induced fibrosis as indicated by increased activities of liver enzymes and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity is an indicator of cell death. It also elevated serum nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and liver lipid peroxidation and decreased liver reduced glutathione (GSH) content. It also increased liver collagen fiber percent and caused liver cell damage. On the other hand, green tea and selenium reduced these changes and improved the pathological effects caused by CCL4. Both drugs’ effects were similar to silymarin hepatoprotective effects but they cause greater reduction of collagen fiber percent than silymarin. Conclusions Findings of the present study suggest that green tea extract and selenium have protective effects similar in most aspects to silymarin via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In addition, their antifibrotic effect was stronger than that of silymarin. So both natural products may be used as adjunctive therapy in liver fibrosis.
Risk factor for clear cell renal cell carcinoma in Chinese population: A case–control study
Author: Guoping Wang and Jianguo Hou and Liye Ma and Jiaxin Xie and Jianhua Yin and Danfeng Xu and Wenjun Chang and Xiaojie Tan and Tong Su and Hongwei Zhang and Guangwen Cao
Background: Risk factors for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) differ among populations and remain controversial. We carried out a hospital-based case–control study to examine the effects of health status, lifestyle, and some genetic polymorphisms on ccRCC risk in Chinese subjects. Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, 250 newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed ccRCC cases and 299 sex-, age-matched healthy controls provided complete information including consumption of tea and alcohol, smoking, occupational exposure, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, and urolithiasis by face-to-face interview in Shanghai. Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase (CYP1A1: 6235T>C, 4889A>G, and 4887C>A), glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1: 342A>G), and N-acetyltransferase (NAT2: 481C>T, 590G>A, and 857G>A) were identified by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived through multivariate logistic regression. Results: Green tea intake (≥500 ml/d) was inversely associated with ccRCC risk, with an AOR of 0.34 (95% CI 0.21–0.55). BMI (≥25 kg/m2), hypertension, and urolithiasis were independently associated with an increased risk of ccRCC, with AOR (95% CI) of 2.10 (1.32–3.34), 2.49 (1.57–3.93), and 3.33 (1.12–9.89), respectively. No association was observed between smoking, alcohol consumption, or occupational exposure with ccRCC risk. The polymorphisms and their interactions with the environmental exposures were mostly not associated with ccRCC risk. Conclusion: BMI (≥25 kg/m2), hypertension, and urolithiasis are independently associated with an increased risk, whereas green tea intake (≥500 ml/d) is independently associated with a decreased risk of ccRCC. The polymorphisms of the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes are weakly associated with ccRCC risk in Chinese subjects.
Nanocomplex formation between β-lactoglobulin or caseinomacropeptide and green tea polyphenols: Impact on protein gelation and polyphenols antiproliferative activity
Author: Mariana von Staszewski and Federico L. Jara and Ana L.T.G. Ruiz and Rosa J. Jagus and Joao E. Carvalho and Ana M.R. Pilosof
The development of milk functional foods including health-promoting green tea polyphenols represents a challenge for the food industry since the formation of protein–polyphenol complexes may affect both protein technological properties and polyphenols biological activity. The present work aimed at the characterization of complexes formed between green tea polyphenols and either β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) or caseinomacropeptide (CMP), as well as to evaluate how this complexation may impact on protein gelation and polyphenol antiproliferative activity against tumor cell lines. Particle size and charge of protein–polyphenol complexes depend on protein nature and pH. At pH 6 they had the smallest size and were soluble. The presence of polyphenols accelerated the gelation of both β-lg and CMP, and mainly affected viscoelasticity of β-lg gels. Polyphenol complexation by proteins did not inhibit its anti-proliferative activity. Moreover, they exerted a better performance on some particular tumor cell lines.
Green tea catechins of food supplements facilitate pepsin digestion of major food allergens, but hampers their digestion if oxidized by phenol oxidase
Author: Ziyad Tantoush and Danijela Apostolovic and Bojana Kravic and Ivana Prodic and Luka Mihajlovic and Dragana Stanic-Vucinic and Tanja Cirkovic Velickovic
The in vitro gastric digestion of several food allergens (beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), alpha-lactalbumin (LA) and peanut allergens (PE)) in the presence of a catechin-enriched polyphenol extract of green tea (GTC), oxidized polyphenols and phenol oxidase processed food allergens and GTC was investigated. Pepsin-resistant proteins, such as BLG, major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, degrade faster in the presence of catechin-enriched green tea polyphenols. Phenol oxidase polymerized GTC affected adversely protein digestion of BLG and LA, but not digestion of PE proteins. Protecting effect of polyphenols correlated well with the ability of proteins to form insoluble complexes with oxidized catechins. Cross-linking of proteins and polyphenols further extended the half-lives of BLG and LA in the in vitro digestion by pepsin. Catechin-enriched green tea polyphenols of food supplements facilitate pepsin digestion of major food allergens, but hamper their digestion if oxidized and polymerized by phenol oxidase.
Effects of phosphorus supply on the quality of green tea
Author: Zheng-He Lin and Yi-Ping Qi and Rong-Bing Chen and Fang-Zhou Zhang and Li-Song Chen
Self-rooted, 10-month-old, uniform tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cv. Huangguanyin] plants were supplied with 0, 40, 80, 160, 400 or 1000 μM phosphorus (P) for 17 weeks to determine how P-deficiency affects the quality of green tea. Leaf P concentration increased with increasing P supply. Whole plant dry weight (DW) increased as P supply increased from 0 to 160 μM, then remained little changed with further increasing P supply. The P-deficient green tea displayed decreased concentrations of water extract, total polyphenols, flavonoids, total free amino acids, theanine (Thea) and asparagic acid (Asp) + glutamic acid (Glu), increased concentrations of water soluble sugars, valine (Val), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), proline (Pro) and cysteine (Cys), and ratio of total polyphenols to total free amino acids, but unchanged concentrations of total catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In conclusion, the sensory and biochemical qualities of green tea were lowered by P-deficiency.
The impact of Ephedra and green tea combination mesotherapy on localized fat: A randomized-controlled clinical trial
Author: Mi-Young Song and Shambhunath Bose and Ho-Jun Kim and Myeong-Jong Lee and Chi-Yeon Lim
Aim of the studyThe goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mesotherapy treatment with Ephedra and green tea extract in combination on localized fat of overweight women subjects. Materials and methods Twenty-five overweight women, 20–35-years-of-age, body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2 were randomly assigned into active (Ephedra + green tea, n = 13) and placebo (saline, n = 12) groups. A total eight herbal or saline mesotherapy administrations were performed into the thighs alternatively in two phases, each one comprising of four consecutive treatments on one thigh on weekly basis. Body composition parameters, circumference and subcutaneous fat area of thighs were measured before and after each phase, in addition to evaluating fasting free fatty acid (FFA) level of blood as well as adverse events of the therapy in volunteers. Results There were no significant changes in the body weight, BMI, body fat, and subcutaneous fat area of thigh within or between the groups, but the change in thigh circumference within the active group was significantly lower compared to that within the placebo group. The blood FFA level at 1 h after the first herbal therapy was significantly higher than that recorded at other time points of pre- and post-treatment measurements. Conclusions The herbal mesotherapy treatment produced a significant effect on thigh circumference and fasting-FFA level within the active group. Future studies that compensate for the limitations of this trial are required to fully ascertain the efficacy and safety of the proposed mesotherapy, and a very careful consideration is needed until then.
Effect of superfine grinding on quality and antioxidant property of fine green tea powders
Author: Jianhui Hu and Yuqiong Chen and Dejiang Ni
Six Green tea powders (GTPs) were prepared from green tea with superfine grinding process. Their main quality components were determined by chemical methods and the scavenging effects of GTPs on ·OH and O2.− in vitro were evaluated by using deoxyribose assay and xanthine oxidase method, respectively. The results indicated that tea polyphenols and catechins contents decreased, while the contents of water-soluble carbohydrates in GTPs increased markedly, and no significant difference in amino acids and caffein with the decrease in particle size during superfine grinding, which benefited to reduce bitterness and preserve briskness of GTPs. Meanwhile, superfine grinding increased extraction of TPS markedly, which could lead to more potent scavenging capacity of GTPEs on ·OH. Based on the above analysis, it suggested that superfine grinding time should be controlled within 30–50 min, with ideal parameters of GTP: X: 4.93–4.75%, d50: 20.3–13.5 μm, ρbulk: 0.323–0.297 kg/m3, ρtapped: 0.666–0.614 kg/m3. Under this condition, we could prepare GTP with green and bright color, narrower and more uniform particle size distribution, as well as possessing more food processing property.
Ameliorated effects of green tea extract on lead induced liver toxicity in rats
Author: E.E. Mehana and Abdel Raheim M.A. Meki and Khalid Majid Fazili
In the present study, the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on lead induced toxicity was studied in Sprague–Dawley rats. Four groups of rats were used in the study. Lead and GTE was given orally to the rats with drinking water for 8 weeks. Lead concentration in the digested tissues of liver was detected using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used as markers to evaluate the anti oxidant status of tissues. Lead exposure was found to attenuate the antioxidant potential of liver, which was however augmented when supplemented with green tea extract. Liver enzymes ALT, AST and ALP and serum protein determinations indicated the protective effects of green tea extract. Histopathological studies of liver revealed that supplementation of green tea extract resulted in mild degeneration and congestion of the blood vessels and an enhanced regenerative capacity.
Lipid lowering with dietary supplements: Focus on diabetes
Author: Iwona Rudkowska
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the predominant cause of mortality in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor that should be treated early for CVD prevention. Further, dietary supplement intake is increasing in popularity worldwide. This review examines the recent meta-analyses and clinical studies on dietary supplements, specifically psyllium, garlic and green tea, on plasma lipids levels and glycemic control, as well as other potential CVD risk factors in T2DM patients. Generally, results demonstrate that psyllium supplements improve lipid profiles as well as glycemic control beyond a traditional diet in patients with T2DM. On the other hand, the results on the usefulness of garlic and green tea supplementation for dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are uncertain. Overall, the addition of dietary supplements may be a therapeutic alternative to lower CVD risk factors in T2DM; however, more well-designed intervention studies are needed to assess the benefit of these dietary supplements.
Green tea polyphenols produce antidepressant-like effects in adult mice
Author: Wei-Li Zhu and Hai-Shui Shi and Yi-Ming Wei and Shen-Jun Wang and Cheng-Yu Sun and Zeng-Bo Ding and Lin Lu
Recent studies have shown that a higher consumption of green tea leads to a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly individuals. However, no studies have explored the antidepressant-like effect of green tea in preclinical models of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effects and the possible mechanism of action of green tea in widely used mouse models of depression. Mice were orally administered green tea polyphenols (GTP; 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) for 7 days and assessed in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) 60 min after the last GTP administration. Serum corticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels were also determined immediately after the FST. Green tea polyphenols significantly reduced immobility in both the FST and TST but did not alter locomotor activity in the open field test, suggesting that GTP has antidepressant-like effects, and this action did not induce nonspecific motor changes in mice. Green tea polyphenols also reduced serum corticosterone and ACTH levels in mice exposed to the FST. The present study demonstrated that GTP exerts antidepressant-like effects in a mouse behavioral models of depression, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.