What is Matcha, Why matcha for cancer? Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made from finely powdered dried tea leaves. Like green tea, matcha comes from Camellia Sinensis plant. However, it needs care and a special method of growth and contains rich and unique nutritional values, you can call it Matcha super food for cancer . Farmer grow matcha by covering their tea plants 20-30 days before harvest to avoid direct sunlight. This increase chlorophyll production, boots the amino acid content, and gives the plant a darker green hue. Then matcha is made from leaves only. Matcha has been a staple in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for hundreds of years. It recently became popular in the United States due to its great value and benefits.
Matcha and cancer: matcha benefits and side effects
Many scientific studies have examined matcha tea and its benefits, and found that it is associated with the following health benefits:
- Enhance concentration abilities : due to its content of caffeine and amino acid L-theanine.
- Improves brain function and may protect the brain from aging
- High in antioxidants
- Improves heart health
- Helps weight loss by increasing fat burning
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers cholesterol
- Protect the liver
- Improves skin
- Helps arthritis
- Boosts the immune system
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals : vitamin C , vitamin A, vitamin A, all B vitamins and magnesium.
- May reduce bad breath
- May help prevent type 2 diabetes
Defends against cancer.
Matcha side effects
Matcha tea is a very healthy drink and most people have no side effects. Only when you consume too much matcha , this can cause a few side effects (due to high amount of caffeine) such as:
Heartburn
Jitters
Insomnia
Irritability
Headache
Constipation
Upset stomach.
Matcha and cancer
Talking about anti-cancer properties of matcha tea, let’s summarize the most important findings of studies and researches:
Many of the health benefits of matcha are related to its content of epigallo catechin gallate (EGCG), which is classified as a major group of catechins that help in:
Modify the function of the immune system
Enhance anti-cancer activity
***According to the national cancer institute (NCI), EGCG can:
Protecting cells from DNA damage
Promote destruction of cancer cells
Activation of detoxification enzymes that inhibit tumor growth In addition to the important role of catechins in protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays, which reduces the risk of developing types of skin cancers such as cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
Several studies have shown the role of matcha in the prevention of different types of cancers when conducted on animals, they have shown the role of matcha in preventing tumors from occurring and growth in different organs such as; lung, liver, stomach, and colon. While studies in humans showed the role of polyphenols in chemoprevention treatments as well as reducing the risk of prostate and lung cancer. A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom at the university of Salford to observe the effects of matcha on human breast cancer cells. The researchers noted that the catechins in matcha inhibit the metabolism in the mitochondria, preventing the re-feeding of damaged cells, leading to their death. As well as, the active components can have an almost surgical effect, by blocking the signaling pathways between cancer cells. After all that, will you make matcha your daily drink?. Read more: Kefir for Breast cancerKefir yogurtBeetroots For cancerAvocado, The Super food