Many of us like to start our day with a fresh cup of coffee. We feel that this gives up pure energy that allows us to tackle the day with vigor. However, how many of us are aware of the side-effects of caffeine? Too much caffeine can lead to a plethora of problems that most of us are unaware of. However, we cannot just forego our morning brew because it wakes up efficiently. So, in such cases, what can we do? The best thing to do would be to look for healthier alternatives, and that is where Matcha comes in. Considered the healthiest type of tea, Matcha can be an excellent replacement for your morning cup of Joe! Are you still convinced? Well, then let’s take a look at Matcha Vs. Coffee and try to see who comes out on top in the caffeine-fueled battle!
Is Matcha the Same as Green Tea?
Many people are under the notion that Matcha is the same as green tea. However, this is a misconception, because while Matcha is a type of green tea, both these beverages have several differences between them. For starters, when we drink green tea, we infuse hot water with the tea leaves and then discard them before drinking the tea. However, since Matcha is a form of powdered tea, we tend to ingest the whole leaf when we drink a cup of hot Matcha. Therefore, Matcha contains a lot more phytonutrients, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients when compared to regular green tea.
Also, the manner of production is different for both regular green tea and Matcha. While regular green tea leaves are left out in the sun, Matcha is made from tender, young, shade-grown tea leaves. This ensures that matcha leaves contain more chlorophyll, and hence, more natural nutrients than regular tea. Furthermore, while regular tea is milled in machines, Matcha is made using stone grinding, helping to retain more nutrients. Therefore, it is safe to say that Matcha is much healthier than green tea. Now let us take a look at Coffee Vs. Matcha to see which is better.
Matcha Vs. Coffee – Caffeine Battle
Caffeine Content
While having a cup of coffee in the morning might feel energizing, the caffeine in coffee in high doses can be quite a problem. Drinking high caffeine beverages like coffee brings along with it a lot of drawbacks. For instance, too much caffeine can hurt our sleep cycle and even cause insomnia. Also, caffeine gets released into our bloodstream very quickly when we drink coffee, inducing a surge in blood sugar levels. Since this happens very fast, when the caffeine leaves our system, many people feel a caffeine crash, as a sort of withdrawal symptom.
Coffee only gives us a temporary energy boost, leaving the body more tired when it wears off. Too much coffee can also leave us feeling anxious, jittery, and nervous.
However, Matcha contains less caffeine than coffee. Furthermore, the caffeine in Matcha is bound to catechin molecules, which ensure slow release. Therefore, instead of feeling a sudden energy rush, Matcha releases energy slowly, which means there is no caffeine crash or other issues when we have Matcha. Also, the presence of the L-theanine makes the energy boost associated with Matcha more calm and composed. Therefore, you get the energy boost you require, but without any of the drawbacks such as nervousness and anxiousness!
Relaxation
Like we explained earlier, though coffee gives us the energy we need, it also makes us nervous and jittery. However, since Matcha contains less caffeine and more of the phytonutrient L-theanine, it helps us feel relaxed and calm.
Oral Hygiene
Drinking too much coffee can wreak havoc on our dental hygiene by promoting bad breath and stained teeth. In contrast, Matcha contains a sleuth of antibacterial properties which help provide vital protection to our teeth. It even prevents plaque build-up and, in general, promotes good oral health.
Concentration And Focus
Though coffee gives us energy, it also makes us nervous, which leads to us feeling rushed and anxious. However, Matcha has proven to help us improve our focus and concentration while also promoting memory retention. Therefore, drinking a cup of Matcha in the morning will help you become more productive, and will also help put you in a good mood.
Antioxidants
Unlike coffee, Matcha contains a large number of antioxidants, which help support our immunity, prevent cancer, and even help with improving our skin. Therefore, drinking Matcha provides you with several benefits that coffee does not give! Not only will you feel better in the morning, but your body will also thank you for switching to a healthier drink. Matcha also works as an excellent detox drink as it helps get rid of unwanted toxins and free radicals. These free radicals, when they accumulate, lead to cell and tissue damage. However, the antioxidants and polyphenols in matcha help fight these free radicals, which lead to better detoxification and nutrient absorption. Matcha also contains a lot of other essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A and iron.
Weight Loss
If all these reasons weren’t enough, Matcha also helps with weight loss and maintenance. Drinking matcha daily will help boost your metabolism rate, which, in turn, helps you burn calories faster. This is one of the reasons why matcha extracts can be found in many weight loss products. Also, since Matcha can be drunk without the addition of sugar or any such sweeteners, they tend to be healthier than coffee, which requires sugar. Also, Matcha helps with fighting signs of aging and even improves your skin!
While it might sound absurd to give up on coffee, all these benefits will make it easier for you to make the switch. If you find it too difficult to give it up in one go, take it slow, and maybe swap your evening coffee with Matcha first. Once your body gets used to this, remove coffee from your diet, and move your evening cup of tea to the morning.
Ultimately, most of our bodies need time to adjust to new food choices and diets. However, make more conscious decisions to include healthier superfoods like Matcha in your diet, and you will be able to see the difference soon enough!
