Teaspoon matcha caffeine free#

One benefit of matcha is that it may be better tolerated than a regular cup of coffee, due to its slow release of caffeine, thanks to the L-theanine, Ansari says. Speaking of caffeine, Ansari says one serving of matcha (around ½ to 1 tsp of the powder) contains about 40 to 180 milligrams of caffeine. L-Theanine raises levels of some neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the body that carry signals from one nerve cell to another) that elicit a calming effect, which works to counter the stimulating effects of caffeine. What’s more: You might not feel the jitters typically associated with a regular cup of coffee, because of the presence of L-Theanine in matcha.

According to research published in Nutritional Neuroscience researchers found that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine showed favorable results for increased speed and accuracy of attention-switching tasks and lowered susceptibility of distractions in the study’s 27 participants, compared to a placebo. “The combination of L-theanine and caffeine may enhance concentration and efficiency to a higher extent than the use of either compound alone,” Ansari says.

What’s more, L-Theanine paired with caffeine has promising benefits. According to a small study published in the journal Nutrients in 2019, 30 healthy participants who consumed L-Theanine, over four weeks, showed a marked reduction in their self-score assessments of stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and an increase in sleep quality. Research supports the benefits of this amino acid. L-Theanine is an amino acid (found primarily in green and black tea, as well as mushrooms), which has been known to help ease stress, increase relaxation, can help to improve sleep, increase mental focus, and also helps to support the immune system, says Ansari. The Benefits of Antioxidants for CyclistsĪnother benefit of matcha is its naturally occurring L-Theanine.Vecause of the high level of antioxidants in matcha, this type of tea can bring balance to help prevent the damaging of cells, support longevity, and overall health, Ansari says.Ī systematic review, published in Molecules in 2021, supports matcha’s health benefits, stating that it “contains high amounts of substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and shows promising potential health benefits, primarily through a high concentration of catechins.” Because matcha is grown in the shade the levels of chlorophyll are higher in it than other teas. Matcha is also high in chlorophyll, which has antioxidant properties. Research published in Current Developments in Nutrition in June 2022 illustrates that drinking green tea extract for four weeks can improve blood sugar levels and intestinal inflammation in those with metabolic syndrome (a group of conditions that puts you at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke), as well as in healthy participants. That’s likely because, unlike green tea, matcha contains all nutrients from the entire green tea leaves.Ĭatechins can go a long way to support your overall health. In fact, the amount of EGCG in matcha is 137 times greater than the amount in regular green tea, Ansari says. Matcha is specifically rich in an antioxidant known as catechins or EGCG. Oxidative damage can be caused by things like pollution, toxins, excessive intake of certain nutrients (especially from supplements), and even intense exercise training, like cycling, says Ansari.

Teaspoon matcha caffeine free#

When there’s an imbalance between the reduction and accumulation of these free radicals, they can cause oxidative damage that they can become detrimental to our health, Ansari says. It packs disease-fighting antioxidantsįirst, antioxidants help protect you from free radicals (unstable atoms or molecules that can damage your cells). A cup of matcha packs a punch and offers you some important health benefits.