Is Matcha Good for You? What's Actually in a Cup
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"Is matcha good for you?" is one of the most searched questions about matcha. There's a lot of hype online, so we'll stick to what's actually in a cup and what the official guidance says, so you can decide for yourself how matcha fits into your day.
The short answer
Matcha is simply ground green tea leaf. A cup gives you caffeine, naturally occurring compounds found in tea, and, depending on how you make it, very few calories. Whether any food or drink is "good for you" depends on your diet as a whole and how much you have, but matcha can be part of a balanced daily routine for most adults.
What's actually in a cup of matcha
- Caffeine. Yes, matcha has caffeine. For how much, and how it compares with coffee and tea, see does matcha have caffeine?
- L-theanine. An amino acid that occurs naturally in tea leaves, including matcha.
- Catechins. A group of plant compounds naturally found in green tea.
- Calories. Pure matcha whisked with water is very low in calories. A 10g serving of Mind Full Matcha made with water is 50kcal, with 0.8g of sugars. Milk and sweeteners add more; see matcha latte calories.
Is it okay to drink matcha every day?
For most healthy adults, yes, as long as your total caffeine stays within guidance. The European Food Safety Authority says intakes up to 400mg a day, spread through the day, don't raise safety concerns for healthy adults, and that single doses up to 200mg don't either. That total includes coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate.
Things to keep in mind
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the NHS advises no more than 200mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, check with your doctor.
- Sleep: caffeine can affect sleep, so many people keep matcha to the morning and early afternoon. See the best time to drink matcha.
- Café versions: some café matcha drinks are made with sweetened powders or syrups, which add sugar and calories. Making it at home puts you in control.
- Children: matcha contains caffeine and isn't recommended for children.
Matcha vs coffee
They're different drinks rather than better or worse. A cup of matcha usually contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee, tastes grassy and gently sweet rather than roasted, and naturally contains L-theanine. If you're thinking of switching, see our two-week plan for swapping coffee for matcha.
How to make it simply
For the least sugar and fewest calories, whisk matcha with water or use an unsweetened milk. Our guide to how to make matcha covers four easy methods.
Make it with Mind Full Matcha: ceremonial matcha, lion's mane and coconut cream in one creamy latte powder. 30 servings a pouch, from £19.99 a bag on subscription at our launch price. It has 0.8g of sugars and 40mg of caffeine per serving. Shop Mind Full Matcha.
FAQs
What does matcha do to your body?
Matcha contains caffeine, which is a stimulant, plus L-theanine and catechins that occur naturally in tea leaves. How caffeine affects you varies from person to person, so start with one cup and see how you feel.
Is matcha healthier than coffee?
They're different drinks. Matcha usually has less caffeine per cup and very few calories on its own. With either drink, what you add (milk, sugar, syrups) makes the biggest difference.
Is matcha healthier than green tea?
Both come from the same plant. With matcha you drink the whole ground leaf rather than an infusion, so a cup is richer and usually contains more caffeine than brewed green tea.
Is there a downside to drinking matcha?
The main thing to watch is caffeine: keep your total from all sources within guidance and avoid it late in the day if it affects your sleep.
Can matcha reduce belly fat?
No drink targets fat in one part of the body. Matcha made with water is very low in calories, but sweetened café versions can be high in sugar.
Mind Full Matcha: ceremonial matcha, lion's mane and coconut cream in one creamy latte powder. 30 servings per 300g pouch.
