Ancient Japanese Tea Fights Cancer and Increases Brainpower
By
Natalie Moore
Posted October 10, 2016
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“What the heck is that? A swamp latte?”
Last week, I started drinking a new morning beverage.
If you’re a longtime reader of Living Well Daily, then you probably know I’m an avid coffee drinker. But for the last few days, I’ve been reconsidering my morning ritual.
You see, since trying out this new nutrient-packed and tasty tea, I’ve been feeling focused, energized and productive, though I must say its odd appearance does make for lots of office commentary — mainly folks referring to it as a swamp latte.
However, this drink is so rich in flavor and offers so many health benefits that I will continue to drink at least one cup a day a no matter what my co-workers call it. Plus, it’s absolutely delicious!
From Ancient Ceremonies to Your Cup
It’s called matcha.
And it’s not your typical tea.
Matcha is a special kind of tea that originates from Japan and has been served during ceremonies for thousands of years. Unlike typical teas that are made of steeped leaves, matcha is made from finely ground green tea leaves and is more like a thick latte than a watery tea.
To prepare matcha, you simply pour hot water over the powder and blend. You can do this with either a traditional bamboo whisk or an electric milk frother (I prefer the frother). Once fully blended and frothed, the tea looks like a bright-green latte and has the consistency of high-end espresso. It tastes a lot like blended green veggies with just a hint of sweetness and is very satisfying.
Creating a perfectly blended cup of Breakaway Blend 98.
But its appearance and taste, while both are interesting, aren’t what make matcha so remarkable. Instead, matcha’s incredible health benefits are what really set it apart.
Curb Cancer and Boost Your Brain
Since matcha powder is much more concentrated than regular tea leaves, its health powers are amplified. In fact, matcha has roughly 20 times the amount of naturally occurring antioxidants and amino acids of regular green tea.
Not to mention it contains huge amounts of EGCG. This flavonoid is a powerful antioxidant and can protect you from free radicals that can wreak havoc on your body and even cause cancer. EGCG has been the focus of many cancer studies that have shown it to be a powerful anti-cancer agent. Some of these studies prove that EGCG may also help protect you from certain radiations that can ignite cancer development.
But EGCG isn’t the only health-boosting compound in matcha — it’s also rich in caffeine and L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid that’s naturally found in matcha and can help stimulate chemicals in your brain that block stress messages, increase feelings of calm and boost your alertness and overall well-being.
When L-theanine is combined with caffeine, it can extend caffeine’s productive effects and almost erase the jittery and anxious feelings that coffee can sometimes cause. And I can testify to this nutrient combo’s amazing concentration powers.
After just a few days a drinking matcha, I’ve felt more productive, my thinking seems clearer and I’ve been able to remember details that would otherwise slip my mind. Not to mention my energy and productivity are off the charts!
I’m not saying I’m quitting coffee forever, but adding a cup of health-boosting, tasty matcha to my daily routine is a no-brainer!
One brand I really like is Breakaway Matcha. They offer both hot and cold brew matcha powders. I’ve tried both and found them to be delicious, though my favorite is their Blend 98. It’s rich, grassy and slightly sweet. This special blend comes from an exclusive matcha co-op in Ujitawara, Kyoto.
You can discover more about Breakaway Matcha and the amazing benefits of their products by clicking here.
As a Living Well Daily reader, you’re entitled to an exclusive discount of 15 percent off your entire order by entering discount code LIVINGWELLMATCHA at checkout.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook
Sources
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Olive Oil Compound WOWS Researchers
Olive oil has been getting some well-deserved attention the last few years. So it would be easy to assume that the golden oil’s status as a health food was recently earned. But the truth is, olive oil has been considered a healthy staple in the human diet since it was first developed 600 years ago....
NEW Medicinal Mushroom Benefit UNCOVERED
I’m a big fan of medicinal mushrooms. Almost everyone has eaten a standard mushroom on a pizza or in a spaghetti sauce, of course. But most folks have yet to experience medical mushrooms’ power to improve our health. Medicinal mushrooms are already used to treat heart, liver, and brain conditions. They can boost the immune...
[SENIORS] Cellular GLITCH Discovered?!
Aging isn’t for sissies, that’s for sure. But hey, I always remind myself the alternative is FAR worse! Besides, when you sit back and take stock, you’ll realize that a life well lived – like your own – is something to be proud of. But those accomplishments, unfortunately, don’t reduce your risk of suffering the...
Overlooked Diabetes Risk Drives Up Blood Sugar
If you’re concerned about diabetes, you’ve probably done your research. You likely focused on all the common problem areas to ward off rising blood sugar: the grocery store… the gym… and the bathroom scale. And those ARE all great places to start! Eating better, exercising, and losing weight can go a long way toward bringing your...
Boredom BUSTING Hack Keeps You Sane AND Healthy
This time of year, I start to feel a little stir-crazy. Cabin fever sets in as I tire of the cold and snow. And I start thinking about the warmer weather that’s right around the corner (but still feels SO far away). You see, I enjoy walking, hiking, and running outside. It’s good for both...
Loneliness Linked to THIS Startling Side Effect
Before the pandemic, we didn’t talk much about being lonely. But when the virus locked us down in our homes, the issue of isolation could no longer be ignored. Some of us were experiencing that kind of loneliness for the first time. But the truth is social isolation has ALWAYS been a common problem for...
MAILBAG: Ease Prostate Problems NATURALLY
“Are there any natural solutions for an enlarged prostate?” -Mike from Summerville, South Carolina Hi Mike, There are many things you can do to improve your prostate health. Eating better is the first step. This means loading up on nutritious foods, including plenty of fresh organic vegetables and lean meats. (And yes, that DOES mean...
Ditch Depression WITHOUT Drugs
You think that when you reach “your golden years,” you won’t have much to worry about anymore. After all, many of life’s major stressors, like work, kids, and relationships, are pretty much settled by the time you hit your sixties. So why the heck are we all so darned depressed then?! According to a recent...
The Ovarian Cancer Risk You NEVER Saw Coming
Cancer research is nothing new. In fact, we’ve been studying this killer since the 1800s. Yet despite all that investigating, there’s still so much we DON’T know. That’s why each time we reach a new milestone in our understanding of cancer, it should be celebrated. And a recent study has helped us make another large...
Weird Supermarket Secret BEATS Sunburn
In the winter, we tend to ignore the importance of protecting our skin from the sun’s powerful rays. But where I live, in Colorado, I see many folks come down from the ski areas with “raccoon eyes.” This happens when skiers’ faces burn, but the areas around their eyes remain pale because they wear goggles....