Struggling to stay focused? Matcha might be the answer! This claim is making the rounds on social media, but is there any scientific basis for it? Let’s explore the evidence with insights from two experts in the field.
Hailed as one of the hottest superfoods at the moment, matcha is quickly becoming the go-to drink for many fitness influencers. The numerous health benefits of matcha are driving the growing obsession with this powdered green tea. It has resulted in a rise of matcha brands and an explosion of matcha-infused food items in supermarkets.
What makes Matcha stand out from regular green tea is the way it is cultivated and processed. The tea plants (Camellia sinensis) used for preparing matcha are grown in about 90% shade. Only the high-grade young tea leaves are picked and the processing technique results in a green tea powder that has higher amounts of bioactive compounds (like chlorophyll and theanine).
The consumption of matcha is linked to promoting heart health, boosting brain function, and stimulating weight loss. And if, on top of these benefits, matcha can offer better focus and attention abilities to get through your busy workday without the jitters of coffee, who wouldn’t want to try it?
The Hype: Matcha helps in improving focus or attention.
Scientific Breakdown of Matcha and its Effect on Focus
Dr Hari Prasad Devkota, Assistant Professor at Kumamoto University’s Global Center for Natural Resources Sciences, asserts that the claims about matcha’s benefits, especially regarding focus and attention, often stem from studies on caffeine and L-theanine, both of which are key compounds present in matcha. However, most research focuses on these components individually or in combination, rather than specifically on matcha.
Dr Devkota suggests that while some research studies show potential, we currently lack strong scientific evidence to confirm that matcha improves focus and attention.
“One reason matcha might be more beneficial compared to green tea is that, with green tea, you only drink the extract of the leaves. But with matcha, you consume the whole powdered leaves, so you’re possibly taking in more content of catechins, theanine, and caffeine,” explains Dr Devkota.
He adds that while you’re getting more compounds compared to just a water extract in green tea or other tea formulations, this doesn’t automatically mean matcha is superior. How well these compounds are absorbed by the body remains an area for further study.
Another expert in the field, Yoshitake Baba, a co-author of several publications on matcha and its effect on cognitive function, comments: “Matcha is green tea powder. Green tea contains theanine, an amino acid. Theanine is a rare amino acid found only in tea and some mushrooms. The physiological effect of theanine is mainly relaxation, but it has been reported that when it is co-present with caffeine, attention function is enhanced.”
Yoshitake Baba states that both the number of correct answers and reaction times in cognitive tasks that test attention improve with matcha consumption. This indicates that matcha could improve focus and cognitive processing speed. However, he notes, “This has only been recognized as a phenomenon, and the mechanism of action is unknown.”
The Science: Matcha has been linked to increased accuracy and faster response times in attention-related tasks, suggesting it may boost focus. This effect is likely due to the combination of caffeine and theanine, which together contribute to improved attention.
The Verdict: Can Matcha Tea Help in Improving Focus?
Matcha is rich in beneficial compounds like polyphenols, chlorophyll, caffeine, and L-theanine, all of which are known to support brain function. It’s also packed with 137 times more antioxidants than low-grade green teas.
But beyond its impressive nutritional profile, does matcha really have what it takes to sharpen your focus?
Research studies indicate that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine in matcha works together to improve attention and cognitive function. While caffeine delivers an immediate boost, L-theanine’s calming properties balance the stimulation, leading to a more sustained and focused mental state.
Regular matcha consumption could even help maintain or improve attention over time. So, if you’re looking to avoid the jitters and anxiety that coffee often brings, switching to matcha could be a better choice.
Even though the findings are encouraging, it is important to note that the scientific evidence is not entirely conclusive. While current research leans towards the benefits of matcha in improving focus, the results are often inconsistent and based on small-scale trials. We need larger, more detailed studies to fully validate this claim.
In the meantime, drink matcha for its umami taste and the sheer enjoyment it brings!
The Verdict: Research so far points to the potential of matcha in improving focus. However, the evidence is still limited, and a definite conclusion cannot be drawn.
References
Devkota, Hari Prasad, et al. “The science of matcha: Bioactive compounds, analytical techniques and biological properties.” Trends in Food Science & Technology 118 (2021): 735-743.
Baba, Yoshitake, et al. “Effects of daily matcha and caffeine intake on mild acute psychological stress-related cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults: A randomized placebo-controlled study.” Nutrients 13.5 (2021): 1700.
Baba, Yoshitake, Toshiyuki Kaneko, and Takanobu Takihara. “Matcha consumption maintains attentional function following a mild acute psychological stress without affecting a feeling of fatigue: A randomized placebo-controlled study in young adults.” Nutrition Research 88 (2021): 44-52.
Sokary, Sara, et al. “The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies.” Current Research in Food Science 6 (2023): 100396.
Sohail, Anas Anas, et al. “The cognitive-enhancing outcomes of caffeine and L-theanine: a systematic review.” Cureus 13.12 (2021).
Sakurai, Keisuke, et al. “Effects of matcha green tea powder on cognitive functions of community-dwelling elderly individuals.” Nutrients 12.12 (2020): 3639.
Dietz, Christina, Matthijs Dekker, and Betina Piqueras-Fiszman. “An intervention study on the effect of matcha tea, in drink and snack bar formats, on mood and cognitive performance.” Food research international 99 (2017): 72-83.
Bryan, Janet. “Psychological effects of dietary components of tea: caffeine and L-theanine.” Nutrition reviews 66.2 (2008): 82-90.
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