While people have been drinking matcha for centuries, it's only in recent years that it has become popular in the West. Since then, it's become a staple in many of our diets. We drink it, of course, but we also sprinkle it on our oatmeal, stir it into our yogurt, and add it to our smoothies. And when a sweet tooth strikes, there are many delicious matcha dessert recipes out there to satisfy.

The fact that there are so many wonderful ways to enjoy matcha is good news for health enthusiasts. Research is increasingly suggesting that matcha doesn't just taste great, but also has a wide variety of health benefits. Here are a few reasons why adding matcha to your daily diet is great for your body, mind, and soul.

1. Matcha is High in Antioxidants

Matcha is rich in catechins, an antioxidant that helps stabilize free radicals. Free
radicals are compounds that can damage cells and cause disease. Free radicals have also been linked to inflammation, which can increase your risk of diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and a host of other illnesses. Many studies also suggest that catechins are quite effective in warding off several types of cancer.

2. Matcha Can Boost Your Brain Function

Matcha contains caffeine, meaning that it can increase your reaction time, attention span, and memory. While many health experts have traditionally avoided caffeine, it's important to realize that not all forms of caffeine are created equal. Along with caffeine, matcha also contains a compound called L-theanine, which helps curb both the jitteriness and the crash in energy that can follow a cup of coffee. L-theanine may also help induce relaxation and decrease stress levels. All this means that matcha can give you the clarity and focus you need to be productive, without putting you on edge.

3. Matcha Can Improve Your Heart Health

Many studies have shown that drinking matcha may help protect against heart disease. A study of 40,530 adults found that participants who drank matcha regularly had a 26% lower risk of death from heart attack than people who drank less than one cup a day. Connected to overall cardiovascular health, early studies suggest that matcha can lower both your blood pressure and your LDL cholesterol levels. People with blood pressure over 130 were especially likely to see positive benefits from drinking matcha.

4. Matcha Can Help You Shed Unwanted Pounds

When paired with exercise and a healthy diet, matcha is well-known for its ability to enhance weight loss by speeding up your metabolism. Once again, it's those catechins that are responsible. They are thermogenic, which is a fancy way of saying that they drive fat burning in the body. What's more, the caffeine in matcha can help break down fat, curb appetite, and generally make the metabolism more efficient.

5. Matcha Can Strengthen Your Bones and Your Teeth

The compounds in matcha may increase bone density, which lowers your risk of bone loss, fractures, and osteoporosis, according to several studies. Furthermore, a cup of matcha a day might help keep your teeth in good shape. This could be because a chemical component in the leaves helps keep your mouth at a healthy acidity level. Or, it might be the fluoride that the plants get from the soil.

6. Matcha, Meditation, and Mindfulness Go Hand In Hand

There's a reason matcha originated with Buddhist monks. Not only did the monks
discover that consuming matcha energized their meditation, they also realized that preparing the tea gave them the time and space to be mindful. Hence, a whole series of rituals arose surrounding the making and consuming of the beverage. It's likely that matcha helped its original users meditate because it simulates the brain in a way that is similar to meditation, in that they both produce alpha waves. While you may not have time for elaborate tea-making rituals, taking a moment to breathe while you put the kettle on can be a great way to take some time for yourself each day. Matcha can also greatly increase the benefits of yoga, as it makes you more aware of each part of your body and aids your relaxation.

Matcha is a trend that's here to stay, and mounting research suggests that its reputation as a healing elixir is well-deserved. For the very finest matcha available, check out Zen Tea Leaf. It will nourish and sustain your body, mind, and soul, day in and day out.

Breathe in, breathe out, and here's to your health!