Matcha or coffee?

Currently, there is a rivalry between people who prefer coffee and those who drink matcha green tea. The truth is that, leaving aside the difference in taste, both substances provide energy and can be consumed in different ways and in various meals.

Author: Fernanda Berganza 

However, they have some differences that make one much more beneficial for health than the other. Which one do you think it is?

Matcha green tea, unlike green tea infusion, is made up of ground leaves; therefore, its antioxidant content is significantly higher. In fact, matcha contains 17 times more antioxidants than blueberries, contributing to anti-aging, cardiovascular health, and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Likewise, it provides energy just like coffee, with the difference that it contains an amino acid called L-theanine that provides alertness and energy in a sustainable way.

On the other hand, coffee also contains antioxidants, but to a lesser extent as it is an infusion of the fruit and contains fewer plant pigments. In addition, it does not contain any component that supplies sustainable energy, so you may experience an abrupt increase in energy followed by a drop. However, it provides benefits to your health, such as activating and improving cognitive functions and helping in the reduction of headaches. Finally, like matcha green tea, they improve sports performance.

Now that you know the difference in terms of health benefits, you can make an informed decision depending on what you are looking for. If you have not tried matcha, I invite you to do so because, just like coffee, it benefits your health but in a more sustainable way.

REFERENCES 

Juneja, L.R., Chu, D.C., Okubo, T., Nagato, Y. & Yokogoshi, H. (1999). L-theanine—a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect in humans. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 10 (6-7). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-2244(99)00044-8

Unno, K., Furushima, D., Hamamoto, S.,Iguchi, K., Yamada, H. Morita, A., Horie, H. & Nakamura, Y. (2018). Stress-Reducing Function of Matcha Green Tea in Animal Experiments and Clinical Trials. Nutrients, 10 (10). doi: 10.3390/nu10101468