If you love healthy drinks - then you must have heard about matcha!
Matcha is a variant of Japanese green tea which is taking over the world by storm. Coffee is already one of the world’s most consumed beverages.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you must have heard about the health benefits of matcha.
Now, if you are wondering how it compares to the benefits of coffee - this write-up will explain it to you.
We will analyze them and provide their main differences, pros and cons.
Order your pack of the finest quality matcha from the renowned matcha supplier in the USA - Aki Matcha. Restaurants, chefs, and matcha enthusiasts across NYC and California trust Aki Matcha to sip the best matcha in the States.
Nutrient Comparison
Matcha and coffee have minimal calories when prepared without milk, sugar, creme, or flavoring syrup.
To prepare a cup of matcha, mix 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of matcha powder with 2 ounces (60mL) of hot water, whereas coffee is prepared with hot water.
Check the nutritional comparison between the two beverages - 8 ounces of brewed coffee and 2 ounces of matcha.
|
Matcha |
Coffee |
|
|
Calories |
5 |
2 |
|
Carbs |
1 gram |
0 grams |
|
Sugar |
0 grams |
0 grams |
|
Fiber |
0 grams |
0 grams |
|
Protein |
1 gram |
0.3 grams |
|
Fat |
0 grams |
0.5 grams |
A cup of coffee consists of 96 mg of caffeine per 8 - 8-ounce (240 mL) cup, while matcha contains 19-44 mg caffeine per gram - equivalent to 38-88 mg per 2-ounce (60 mL) serving.
This difference in the content of caffeine in matcha is contributed by the amount of powder, variety and freshness of the leaves, water temperature, and brewing time.
Both beverages have a bitter taste. But matcha is described as having a more earthy or grassy taste, while coffee’s taste is renowned for its roasted and sometimes nutty cocoa flavor and aroma.
Matcha And Coffee: Shared Benefits
Both the beverages are known for their health benefits - and they share a few of them.
Aids weight loss
The caffeine content in matcha and coffee helps in weight loss by energizing brown disposed tissue - or brown fat - by elevating energy expenditure and fat oxidation.
What is brown fat?
Brown fat is said to prevent fat accumulation, as it produces heat and metabolizes glucose and fats in the body.
Additionally, coffee contains chlorogenic acid (CGA), and matcha is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - which both contribute to weight loss.
Packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants
The antioxidants in your body protect it from the damaging consequences of oxidative stress, which can otherwise cause various diseases, including cancer.
Polyphenols are a group of powerful antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea. The major polyphenols in green tea and coffee are EGCG and CGA.
EGCG aids against the growth and the spread of tumors, restricts the formation of certain blood vessels that feed tumors, and boosts the death of cancerous cells.
CGA protects against oral, gastric, esophageal, colorectal, and liver cancer by suppressing the growth of tumors.
Additionally, matcha is filled with rutin, vitamin C, and chlorophyll - which gives it its green color. Coffee contains cafestol and kahweol - which contain antioxidant properties.
Nurtures heart health
Components found in matcha and coffee help protect the heart from various cardiovascular diseases.
Firstly, polyphenols reduce platelet aggregation, promote blood vessel relaxation, and prevent high blood pressure.
EGCG found in green tea controls your blood pressure level and minimizes total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides levels by restricting the ingestion of fats from your gut.
More Shared Benefits
Sipping a cup of delicious coffee or healthy matcha brings some additional benefits, too:
- Enhanced brain and mood function
- Improved heart health
Matcha Vs Coffee: Main Differences
Both these beverages give you an energy boost, but they do it so differently.
Coffee is known for giving an instant energy kick - which reduces sleepiness and fatigue.
Why does it happen?
The reason for this is that caffeine is rapidly absorbed by your body, which means that it may reach peak blood concentration levels as quickly as 15 minutes after consumption.
Once absorbed, the caffeine in the body crosses your brain barrier and restricts the receptors of adenosine (a sleep-promoting compound).
Likewise, matcha contains caffeine, but it boosts your energy levels at a slow pace compared to coffee.
Also, matcha contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid that helps reduce stress by elevating the alpha waves in the brain. Like caffeine, L-theanine crosses your brain barrier and reaches peak concentration levels in 30 minutes.
When caffeine is coming with L-theanine, it reduces tiredness while increasing the feeling of alertness.
Matcha And Coffee: Pros & Cons
Matcha: Pros
Alongside the above-mentioned benefits, matcha’s pros include the following:
- Promotes relaxation: It increases alpha waves in the brain. L-theanine promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness.
- Promotes oral health: Matcha improves oral health, which contributes to overall well-being.
- Quick and easy to make: All you need is a matcha and a cup of hot water.
Matcha: Cons
Some of the downsides of matcha:
- Expensive: Though the prices vary depending on the quality of the matcha powder, they are pricey compared to coffee.
- Risk of liver toxicity: High doses of EGCG and other matha polyphenols can lead to liver damage.
- Risk of contamination: Since matcha is made from ground green tea leaves, it increases the chances of being contaminated by heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Order certified matcha from the most trusted matcha supplier in the USA - Aki Matcha and save yourself from the risk of consuming impure matcha powder.
Coffee: Pros
These are some of the pros of coffee:
- Less pricey: Again, depending on the quality, coffee is less expensive than matcha coffee.
- Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes: Caffeinated and decaf coffee improve markers for type 2 diabetes and lowers its occurrence by 12% for every 2 cups consumed per day.
Coffee: Cons
Just like matcha, coffee has a few drawbacks too:
- Creates dependency: Caffeine is similar to a drug that stimulates your central nervous system, and drinking too much coffee can cause dependence or disorder.
- Unwanted side effects: Some people may face unpleasant reactions to drinking or withdrawing from coffee.
Verdict: Which one is better, Matcha or Coffee?
Both matcha and coffee are caffeinated drinks.
They are filled to the brim with antioxidants and give you several health benefits. Also, they have several pros and cons.
Depending on your health and beverage requirements - you should choose the best beverage for your lifestyle. Having said that, you must also remember not to overconsume or be over-dependent on a beverage. You should consume them in moderation.
If matcha is what you prefer - place your order for the best quality matcha from Aki Matcha today! They are one of the famous matcha supplier in the USA, trusted by chefs, restaurants, and matcha enthusiasts nationwide.
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