I’m always looking for ways to extend longevity. I also want to make sure I maintain proper brain health. One of the most studied and confirmed supporters of brain health and overall wellness is green tea, but not all green teas are created equal. There is one that stands out above the rest. That tea is Matcha.

Daily consumption of green tea catechins (the polyphenols in tea) delays memory regression and brain dysfunction in aged mice. An excellent example of one of the many studies on green tea comes out of Japan, where a group of scientists confirmed that higher consumption of green tea is associated with better results in cognitive testing in elderly subjects. Tea provides flavonoids, caffeine, and L-theanine, an amino acid that features a range of health benefits, including stress reduction and cognitive improvement. 

“Conclusion: A higher consumption of green tea is associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in humans.”

One of the more compelling experiments relevant to brain health showed that very low doses of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the primary polyphenol found in green tea, increase the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which is an important player in growth of nerve cells. These doses are equivalent to single servings of green tea. The potential for green tea-induced neurogenesis is an intriguing possibility, and because green tea has proven to be safe for millennia, there’s no reason to wait for further research to enjoy its regenerative benefits.

Many teas are good for you, but quite possibly the best is a specific form of green tea called matcha. It has the highest quantity and absorption of L-theanine and has been demonstrated to reduce stress in both experimental and clinical trials. 

The ability to consume matcha is more versatile than most teas also. Given its fine powdery form it can be blended into smoothies, used for cooking or just mixed with hot water. I like to pour hot water into my small hand held blender and froth it. 

Another reason I like it, and this has no benefit whatsoever, is that it is actually green. It’s very green. It’s the same bright color green as Slimer from GhostBusters. There’s something about consuming green things that just makes me feel like I’m doing something healthy. So there ya go.

Here’s another thing I’ve noticed. Given matcha does have some caffeine content it’s a nice substitute for coffee in the morning when I’m in my fasting window. While I like black coffee (see my loaded up recipe in the last issue of the VL) I sometimes like to replace it with matcha.

I definitely feel a “focus” effect from drinking matcha. In fact, while chaga mushroom elixir with Lion’s Mane is another staple of my hot beverage consumption and is known for its “focus” enhancing qualities I seem to recognize it more from matcha.

Drink up!