Is it okay to drink Matcha Lattes every day?
Wondering if it’s okay to drink a matcha latte every day? They’ve taken the world by storm, with matcha lattes increasing in online conversations by 19.2% in the last year. Keep reading as we get into what’s in a matcha latte, if they really are good for you and if it’s okay to enjoy one every day.
What’s in a Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte is matcha powder with a small amount of water combined with hot or cold milk to create a milky, creamy drink that provides a wonderful energy boost without the jitters often experienced with coffee.
If you’re not familiar with matcha, it’s a powder made from finely dried and ground Japanese green tea leaves. This is what gives matcha lattes their fantastic bright green colour, due to the high chlorophyll content in the leaves.
Either regular or plant-based milk can be used in a matcha latte and natural sweeteners are often used like honey or coconut sugar to create a balanced, tasty yet earthy drink.
How Much Caffeine is in Matcha Lattes?
Because matcha latte is made using powdered green tea leaves, it does contain a certain amount of caffeine. A regular matcha latte is thought to contain around 60-70 mg of caffeine. In comparison, a cup of black tea contains 45-75 mg per cup and coffee, 80-110 mg per cup.
Therefore a matcha latte has a slightly higher caffeine content than a cup of breakfast tea, but less than a regular coffee, making matcha lattes a great option for those looking to decrease their caffeine content, are not fans of tea or coffee, or find they are particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
Matcha lattes are also a great alternative if you find that coffee often makes you a bit shaky or jittery throughout the day. This is because caffeine in coffee increases your blood pressure, causing an increase in adrenaline in the body that can result in feeling jittery or even an increase in anxiety. On the other hand, the caffeine in Matcha is slower-releasing and therefore tends to give you a longer, gentler lift.
Because of this, matcha lattes can be a good alternative to your daily coffee, making them okay to drink every day.
The Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha Lattes Every Day
There are numerous health benefits to drinking matcha lattes every day. Here are a few of our favourites:
Increased Energy
As we’ve already mentioned, matcha lattes can give you an energy boost with their slow-release caffeine content. Whether it’s at the start of your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up, they’re great if you want some increased energy.
Improve Alertness
Caffeine is a stimulant and in matcha lattes, acts on the central nervous system by increasing energy metabolism throughout the brain, as well as heightening alertness and memory performance.
High in Antioxidants
Catechins are a class of plant compounds that act as natural antioxidants, and matcha is rich in them. Antioxidants help to stabilise harmful free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells, therefore helping to protect the body from disease.
Enhance Brain Function
Matcha contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid that has been found to potentially enhance brain health. Combined with its concentrated source of polyphenols, chlorophyll, caffeine and catechins, studies have shown that matcha lattes prevent the occurrence or progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Promote Glowy Skin
Matcha is packed full of vitamins C and A and even has double the amount of vitamin C compared to other green teas. Because of this, matcha and matcha lattes are regularly linked to healthy, glowing skin.
Improved Metabolism
Matcha is an amazing source of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is a plant-based polyphenol with powerful antioxidant properties. Matcha contains significantly higher levels of EGCG than regular green tea, and therefore has been found to improve metabolism and the thermogenic effects in the body.
Is it Possible to Drink Too Much Matcha?
Like everything, moderation is key and too much of anything can do more harm than good. When it comes to matcha lattes, they do contain caffeine, of which the recommended safe daily amount is up to 400 mg per day if you are over 18, which equates to no more than 7 or 8 cups of matcha a day. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, then the safe daily amount is reduced to 200mg per day.
However, many people find that just 1 or 2 matcha lattes a day are enough to see them through the day whilst enjoying the benefits they offer.
Are There Any Side Effects of Drinking Matcha Lattes?
Although matcha lattes are a great alternative for those who are caffeine-sensitive, drinking too much can lead to possible side effects, as with anything that contains caffeine. You should always consult your doctor if you are unsure how much caffeine you should be consuming.
The Best Time to Drink Matcha Lattes
We would treat drinking a matcha latte similar to drinking coffee, due to its caffeine content, and therefore would stick to the morning to start your day feeling energised or early afternoon to provide that extra kick of energy. Generally, it’s advised to leave several hours before you go to bed to drink a matcha latte, as this allows your body to process the caffeine and still benefit from the relaxing properties of L-theanine.
Make Your Matcha Lattes at Home
It’s easier than you think to make a delicious matcha latte at home. Our Barista or Instant Matcha Latte blends are a simple way to enjoy an organic, cafe style matcha latte from the comfort of your home, every day.
At Sweet Revolution, we use high-quality matcha grown in Kagoshima, Japan, and add a touch of Madagascan vanilla and raw crystallised coconut nectar, which we think creates a beautifully balanced taste that’s got a hint of sweetness that complements the earthiness of the matcha.
Discover all our blends of matcha lattes as well as our other wellness drinks by clicking here.
