Matcha tea has quickly become one of the hottest beverages at any coffee shop menu, thanks to its photogenic green hue and buzzy caffeine content. According to its supporters, matcha can reduce stress, boost metabolism and prevent cancer – but is this really healthy?

Answering this question depends on the type of tea and its preparation process. Green tea typically contains less caffeine and more antioxidants, although these nutrients may be decreased or eliminated during roasting and brewing processes.

Black or green tea can provide significant health benefits. Both varieties contain abundant antioxidants – particularly vitamins C and E – as well as polyphenols, plant compounds that protect against disease by neutralizing free radicals in your body.

Antioxidants may help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure and protecting against oxidative damage to arteries. Consuming tea or coffee may even lower cognitive decline as you age according to some studies.

As much as caffeine’s stimulating properties may give an energy boost and increase productivity, its side effects such as headaches, anxiety and difficulty sleeping may prove adversely impactful on sensitive stomachs. Therefore, for optimal energy boost results it may be more suitable to consume non-caffeinated drinks rather than caffeine-filled ones.

Tea can offer many of the same psychological and mental health benefits as coffee does thanks to L-theanine, an amino acid that crosses your blood-brain barrier and binds directly with brain receptors, improving concentration and relieving stress. Furthermore, L-theanine helps promote alpha waves production that keep us relaxed.

Coffee and tea can both be beneficial to health in moderation; just remember to drink them sparingly to prevent caffeine addiction. To achieve optimal results from these beverages, make sure that any added sugars or creamers are eliminated, along with any processing that strips these beverages of their antioxidant properties; consider making your own tea at home or opt for decaffeinated varieties instead of coffee!

Matcha tea contains several catechins that may provide cancer protection, heart health and glucose regulation benefits. One such catechin, EGCG, has been linked with cancer prevention, heart health improvement and glucose regulation. EGCG may increase vascular elasticity while decreasing oxidative stress levels and improving endothelial function for those diagnosed with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. Furthermore, this compound can slow starch absorption, helping stabilize blood sugar levels among diabetics.

Consuming either black or green tea on a daily basis can greatly benefit your overall health, decreasing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, regular caffeine and tea consumption has also been shown to boost vitamin D levels and thereby lower osteoporosis risk, particularly among postmenopausal women at highest risk for osteoporosis and its related fractures. Regular coffee and tea consumption also increases your level of vitamin D which in turn may lower autoimmune disease risks.