Exploring the Health Benefits of Matcha: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.68.51235Keywords
Matcha, catechin, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, anti-tumor responseAbstract
Introduction: Matcha, a finely powdered form of green tea, has recently gained global popularity due to its vibrant green color, distinctive taste, and versatile applications in various food products. Despite its promising nutritional profile, matcha has not received significant attention in the academic community compared to traditional green tea.
Purpose of work: The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of matcha's biological properties and its potential health benefits.
Methods and materials: A review of the literature available in the PubMed database and Google Scholar, the
following keywords were searched: "matcha", “catechin", "EGCG", “cognitive function”, “green tea”
State of knowledge: Existing studies have demonstrated that matcha exhibits anticancer properties, enhances cognitive function, improves cardio-metabolic health, and modulates the gut microbiome. Moreover, matcha is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Summary: This review summarizes the latest research findings on matcha green tea and its potential health benefits. While animal studies have shown promising results, our knowledge of matcha's effects on human health remains limited. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully elucidate its potential health-promoting effects. Therefore, we advocate for continued research into matcha's properties and its integration into dietary practices to promote overall health and well-being.
References
Wolf A, Bray GA, Popkin BM. A short history of beverages and how our body treats them. Obes Rev. 2008;9(2):151-164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00389.x
Cabrera C, Artacho R, Giménez R. Beneficial effects of green tea--a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(2):79-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2006.10719518
Ku KM, Choi JN, Kim J, et al. Metabolomics analysis reveals the compositional differences of shade grown tea (Camellia sinensis L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2010;58(1):418-426. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf902929h
Sivanesan I, Gopal J, Muthu M, Chun S, Oh J-W. Retrospecting the Antioxidant Activity of Japanese Matcha Green Tea–Lack of Enthusiasm? Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(11):5087. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115087
Sokary S, Al-Asmakh M, Zakaria Z, Bawadi H. The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies. Curr Res Food Sci. 2022;6:100396. Published 2022 Nov 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.015
Kaneko S, Kumazawa K, Masuda H, Henze A, Hofmann T. Molecular and sensory studies on the umami taste of Japanese green tea. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(7):2688-2694. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0525232
Jakubczyk K, Kochman J, Kwiatkowska A, et al. Antioxidant Properties and Nutritional Composition of Matcha Green Tea. Foods. 2020;9(4):483. Published 2020 Apr 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9040483
L Avabanti Devi, Aparajita Bhasin. Matcha and its potential benefits: A mini review. Pharma Innovation 2023;12(8):121-127.
Unno K, Furushima D, Hamamoto S, et al. Stress-Reducing Function of Matcha Green Tea in Animal Experiments and Clinical Trials. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1468. Published 2018 Oct 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101468
Farooq S, Sehgal A. Antioxidant Activity of Different Forms of Green Tea: Loose Leaf, Bagged and Matcha. Curr Res Nutr Food Sci 2018;6(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.6.1.04
Ku KM, Choi JN, Kim J, et al. Metabolomics analysis reveals the compositional differences of shade grown tea (Camellia sinensis L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2010;58(1):418-426. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf902929h
Horie, H.; Ema, K.; Sumikawa, O. Chemical Components of Matcha and Powdered Green Tea. J. Cook. Sci. Jpn. 2017, 50, 182-188. https://doi.org/10.11402/cookeryscience.50.182
Fujioka K, Iwamoto T, Shima H, et al. The Powdering Process with a Set of Ceramic Mills for Green Tea Promoted Catechin Extraction and the ROS Inhibition Effect. Molecules. 2016;21(4):474. Published 2016 Apr 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21040474
Tallei TE, Fatimawali, Niode NJ, et al. A Comprehensive Review of the Potential Use of Green Tea Polyphenols in the Management of COVID-19. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021;2021:7170736. Published 2021 Dec 3. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7170736
Kochman J, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Mruk H, Janda K. Health Benefits and Chemical Composition of Matcha Green Tea: A Review. Molecules. 2020;26(1):85. Published 2020 Dec 27. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010085
Grzesik M, Naparło K, Bartosz G, Sadowska-Bartosz I. Antioxidant properties of catechins: Comparison with other antioxidants. Food Chem. 2018;241:480-492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.08.117
Reygaert WC. Green Tea Catechins: Their Use in Treating and Preventing Infectious Diseases. Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:9105261. Published 2018 Jul 17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9105261
Ramez AM, Elmahallawy EK, Elshopakey GE, et al. Hepatosplenic Protective Actions of Spirulina platensis and Matcha Green Tea Against Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Mice via Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:650531. Published 2021 Apr 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.650531
Shin-Ya M, Nakashio M, Ohgitani E, et al. Effects of tea, catechins and catechin derivatives on Omicron subvariants of SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):16577. Published 2023 Oct 3. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-43563-3 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43563-3
Kiriacos CJ, Khedr MR, Tadros M, Youness RA. Prospective Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals Shielding Autoimmune and Cancer Patients Against the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Special Focus on Matcha. Front Oncol. 2022;12:837408. Published 2022 May 18. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.837408 https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.837408
Valverde-Salazar V, Ruiz-Gabarre D, García-Escudero V. Alzheimer's Disease and Green Tea: Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate as a Modulator of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(7):1460. Published 2023 Jul 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071460
Li X, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Zhang S, Zhang L. The Inhibition Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on the Co-Aggregation of Amyloid-β and Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Revealed by Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1636. Published 2024 Jan 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031636
Unno K, Pervin M, Taguchi K, Konishi T, Nakamura Y. Green Tea Catechins Trigger Immediate-Early Genes in the Hippocampus and Prevent Cognitive Decline and Lifespan Shortening. Molecules. 2020;25(7):1484. Published 2020 Mar 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071484
Anas Sohail A, Ortiz F, Varghese T, et al. The Cognitive-Enhancing Outcomes of Caffeine and L-theanine: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2021;13(12):e20828. Published 2021 Dec 30. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.20828
Merighi S, Travagli A, Nigro M, et al. Caffeine for Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease: Is the A2A Adenosine Receptor Its Target?. Biomolecules. 2023;13(6):967. Published 2023 Jun 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13060967
Dietz C, Dekker M, Piqueras-Fiszman B. An intervention study on the effect of matcha tea, in drink and snack bar formats, on mood and cognitive performance. Food Res Int. 2017;99(Pt 1):72-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.05.002
Baba Y, Kaneko T, Takihara T. Matcha consumption maintains attentional function following a mild acute psychological stress without affecting a feeling of fatigue: A randomized placebo-controlled study in young adults. Nutr Res. 2021;88:44-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.12.024
Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kobayashi M, Kaneko T, Takihara T. Effects of Daily Matcha and Caffeine Intake on Mild Acute Psychological Stress-Related Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1700. Published 2021 May 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051700
Sakurai K, Shen C, Ezaki Y, et al. Effects of Matcha Green Tea Powder on Cognitive Functions of Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3639. Published 2020 Nov 26. doi:10.3390/nu12123639
Iwai R, Ishii T, Fukushima Y, et al. Matcha and Its Components Control Angiogenic Potential. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2021;67(2):118-125. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.67.118
Kim JM, Lee U, Kang JY, Park SK, Kim JC, Heo HJ. Matcha Improves Metabolic Imbalance-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020;2020:8882763. Published 2020 Nov 28. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8882763
Kim JM, Kang JY, Park SK, et al. Powdered Green Tea (Matcha) Attenuates the Cognitive Dysfunction via the Regulation of Systemic Inflammation in Chronic PM2.5-Exposed BALB/c Mice. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(12):1932. Published 2021 Nov 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121932
Unno K, Furushima D, Hamamoto S, et al. Stress-reducing effect of cookies containing matcha green tea: essential ratio among theanine, arginine, caffeine and epigallocatechin gallate. Heliyon. 2019;5(5):e01653. Published 2019 May 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01653
Zhou J, Yu Y, Ding L, Xu P, Wang Y. Matcha Green Tea Alleviates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Regulating Lipid Metabolism and Inflammatory Responses. Nutrients. 2021; 13(6):1950. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061950
Xu P, Ying L, Hong G, Wang Y. The effects of the aqueous extract and residue of Matcha on the antioxidant status and lipid and glucose levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Funct. 2016;7(1):294-300. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo00828j
Wang Y, Yu Y, Ding L, Xu P, Zhou J. Matcha green tea targets the gut-liver axis to alleviate obesity and metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet. Front Nutr. 2022;9:931060. Published 2022 Aug 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.931060
El-Elimat T, Qasem WM, Al-Sawalha NA, et al. A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Comparative Study of The Effects of Matcha Tea on Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Pilot Observational Study. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2022;77(3):447-454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-022-00998-9
Willems M. E. T., Foster C. T. Effects of Matcha green tea on heart rate variability and physiological and metabolic responses in young adult females. Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals 2024; 3(1): 1-12. https://www.doi.org/10.31989/dsn.v3i1.1230
Hu Y, Chen Z, Xu C, Kan S, Chen D. Disturbances of the Gut Microbiota and Microbiota-Derived Metabolites in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Nutrients. 2022;14(23):5140. Published 2022 Dec 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235140
Vijay A, Valdes AM. Role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases: a narrative review. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2022;76(4):489-501. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00991-6
Morishima S, Kawada Y, Fukushima Y, Takagi T, Naito Y, Inoue R. A randomized, double-blinded study evaluating effect of matcha green tea on human fecal microbiota. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2023;72(2):165-170. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.22-81
Shigeta M, Aoi W, Morita C, et al. Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation. Nutr J. 2023;22(1):32. Published 2023 Jul 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-023-00859-4
Sokary S, Zakaria Z, Bawadi H, Al-Asmakh M. Testing the Anticancer Effect of Matcha Using Zebrafish as an Animal Model. Nutrients. 2023;15(10):2369. Published 2023 May 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102369
Keckstein, S., Tilgener, C., Jeschke, U. et al. Effects of matcha tea extract on cell viability and estrogen receptor-β expression on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Arch Gynecol Obstet 309, 1509–1514 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07209-z
Bonuccelli G, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP. Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways. Aging (Albany NY). 2018;10(8):1867-1883. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101483
Schröder L, Marahrens P, Koch JG, et al. Effects of green tea, matcha tea and their components epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin on MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells [published correction appears in Oncol Rep. 2020 Feb;43(2):747]. Oncol Rep. 2019;41(1):387-396. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2018.6789
Keckstein S, Tilgener C, Jeschke U, et al. Effects of matcha tea extract on cell viability and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression on T47D breast cancer cells. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;306(2):451-459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-021-06381-4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Aleksandra Korn, Justyna Jędrzejczyk, Olga Łopacińska, Katarzyna Stańczyk, Karolina Czarnecka, Emilia Wójcik, Anna Korczak, Oliwia Szewczyk, Ewa Olek, Katarzyna Burda
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 377
Number of citations: 0