Can green tea powder fight aging?

Matcha is a powdered green tea cultivated by the Japanese using special traditional methods. The tea plants are shaded during their growth, which helps them produce more health-promoting compounds like theanine, chlorophyll, caffeine, and catechins.  Many people have heard rumors that drinking green tea can fight aging. Is this true or false? What are some ways we can proactively fight aging with green tea powder?

1. Why can we fight aging with green tea powder?

In the quest to find the secret to preserving youthfulness, many people have turned to Japanese green tea powder (matcha) – a natural ingredient rich in nutrients with powerful anti-aging properties.   

This drink has been and is gradually becoming popular and developing all over the world. Thanks to its special cultivation method, it is particularly rich in antioxidant compounds. Specifically, according to the traditional method, during most of the growth period, tea bushes are covered with bamboo mats to shade the leaves from excessive direct sunlight.   

During this process, the plant can produce more amino acids and bioactive compounds, including chlorophyll and theanine, which create the unique, non-bitter taste and the characteristic vivid color of matcha.

 As a result, matcha is highly valued for its quality and is considered the most aromatic green tea.

Green tea powder contains many health-promoting antioxidants:

• Catechin (EGCG): Catechin is a powerful antioxidant, and matcha is the richest source of catechins among teas. Matcha green tea contains a lot of EGCG, the most biologically active type of catechin, which can neutralize free radicals, protect cells from damage, and thereby slow down the aging process.
• Polyphenols: Polyphenols are considered to be exceptionally strong antioxidants, with effects comparable to vitamins such as vitamins C and E, carotene, and tocopherol.
• Caffeine: This is an essential component of green tea that contributes to its distinctive and appealing flavor. At the same time, it is a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing reactive oxygen species and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and total glutathione levels. When consumed regularly, caffeine can reduce persistent oxidative stress, reducing the incidence of free radical-mediated diseases. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant that helps strengthen the body’s immune system. Scientists have researched and found that matcha green tea contains a lot of vitamin C, even more than twice as much as other common green teas. This means that drinking matcha can be a great way to supplement vitamin C, helping the body stay healthy and fight disease.
• Chlorophyll: Do you know why matcha has such a beautiful green color? It’s thanks to chlorophyll! Matcha is grown in the shade, which helps the tea leaves produce more chlorophyll. Chlorophyll not only creates the characteristic green color of matcha but is also a very good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Research shows that the tea leaves used to make matcha (Tencha variety) contain more chlorophyll than regular green tea.
• Rutin: Rutin is a powerful antioxidant found in plants. It is especially beneficial for the cardiovascular system, helping blood vessels become healthier. In addition, rutin also has anti-inflammatory effects and prevents diabetes. Interestingly, matcha green tea contains extremely high levels of rutin, even surpassing buckwheat – a food famous for being rich in rutin. Therefore, drinking matcha regularly can be an effective way to supplement rutin for the body, thereby improving health and preventing diseases.
• Quercetin: A substance found in plants that has the ability to fight oxidation and protect the brain. In addition, quercetin also helps the body regulate blood sugar by controlling sugar absorption, regulating insulin, and increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin. In other words, quercetin can help prevent diabetes and problems related to blood sugar metabolism disorders.
• Theanine: A special substance found in tea that creates a mild, non-bitter taste for matcha. Because matcha is grown under shade, the tea leaves retain more theanine. Theanine, when combined with caffeine in matcha, creates a “perfect pair” that helps you focus better. Both theanine and caffeine have the effect of increasing concentration, but when combined, they will promote a stronger effect. In addition, theanine also has a relaxing effect, helping you reduce stress and anxiety. Therefore, matcha is not only a delicious drink but also very good for the brain, helping you stay alert, focused, and work more efficiently.

2. How do antioxidants slow down aging?

Free radicals are unstable molecules generated during the body’s metabolic processes. When there is an excess of free radicals, they attack healthy cells, damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids, leading to aging and chronic diseases.   

Antioxidants act as “shields” to protect cells from free radical attacks. They neutralize free radicals, prevent oxidation, thereby slowing down the aging process, maintaining health, and youthful beauty.

Therefore, drinking matcha regularly can help you:

• Prevent diseases: The antioxidants in green tea powder help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.
• Improve brain function: Matcha green tea powder helps enhance memory, focus, and cognitive ability.
• Enhance overall health: Matcha green tea also has many other benefits such as reducing inflammation, supporting cardiovascular health, detoxifying the body, and increasing energy.

3. How to use green tea powder for optimal anti-aging effects

So how do you fight aging with green tea powder? Check out some of these suggestions:

• Drink green tea: Maintain drinking 2-3 cups of green tea per day to provide antioxidants for the body.
• Apply a green tea mask: Mix green tea powder with water or unsweetened yogurt to form a slightly thick paste, then apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes. Regular use of a green tea mask helps cleanse the skin, tighten pores, reduce acne, and fade dark spots.
• Bathe with green tea: Add green tea powder to your bath to relax and cleanse your skin.
• Combine green tea with a healthy diet: Add fruits, vegetables, and fresh fruits to your diet, and limit processed foods, greasy foods, sugar, etc. to enhance the anti-aging effect.
• Combine green tea with a healthy lifestyle: Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress… also play an important role in slowing down the aging process.

Green tea powder is a rich source of antioxidants, providing many benefits for health and beauty, especially anti-aging capabilities. Combining the use of green tea powder with a healthy diet and lifestyle will help you maintain a youthful appearance and prolong your lifespan.   

If you have health problems, you need to pay attention to finding appropriate solutions for early treatment. No matter what age you are, you need to be proactive in taking care of your health from an early age to live healthily, have longevity, fight aging, and maintain a youthful appearance for a long time. 

References: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, medicalnewstoday.com, scholars.unh.edu, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, mdlaserandcosmetics.com, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov