Side Effects of Drinking Matcha
- 3 min reading time
When trying anything new, a bit of extra caution never did any harm. Matcha has a plethora of health benefits - it can help increase energy levels, it's rich in amino acids and antioxidants and it can also potentially aid in weight loss. However, what about the side effects of matcha? Are there any I should know about?
Caffeine
A standard size cup of matcha contains roughly half the caffeine of a cup of coffee, or about 70 mg of caffeine. While this makes matcha a better choice for those who are caffeine sensitive, as with anything that contains caffeine, drinking too much can lead to possible side effects, such as headaches, dizziness and difficulties sleeping. The caffeine contained in matcha interacts differently in your body than the caffeine in coffee. Matcha provides more even, sustained energy, without a crash when the caffeine wears off. Plus, matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that is calming, which helps the caffeine make you feel both alert, but calm.
How much can I drink per day?
Generally, we say that 2-3 cups of matcha a day can be consumed by a healthy adult without worry. If you are taking any medication, have certain health issues, or are pregnant or nursing, we recommend talking to your doctor first, before adding something new like matcha to your diet. If you are already consuming caffeine, such as coffee without any issues, we tell customers to just monitor how they feel after drinking matcha, and adjust accordingly.
Why is matcha good for me?
Drinking matcha in moderation daily can help you feel naturally energized and focused, due to its high caffeine content paired with the calming amino acid, L-theanine. This is the #1 reason matcha is a fantastic coffee alternative - it can give you sustained energy, without the crash. On top of all that, gram per gram, matcha contains 29x the antioxidants than wild blueberries. We import our matcha direct from farms in Japan, and all of our flavors are blended without any sugar. Our hope at 3 Leaf Tea is that our products support your health and wellbeing, to help you feel vibrant.