Is Matcha Good for Your Gut?

How does your supportive system make you feel? Have you ever experienced post-meal bloating, lethargy, or discomfort? Taking steps to improve your digestive health might be in order if that's the case. Matcha is a tasty and easy approach to supporting a healthy gut microbiota, which is great news for your digestive system.

A lot of people are paying closer attention to what they eat and drink these days, and many are looking for "gut-friendly" options. Did you know, though, that both matcha and green tea have digestive-friendly properties? Find out more about the potential benefits of matcha for your digestive system in the following sections!

Good News for Your Stomach: Get a Good Gut Bacteria Boost

A better gut microbiome can be achieved with the help of matcha, thanks to its high concentrations of polyphenols and polyamines, which promote the growth of good gut bacteria.

The polyphenols and polyamines included in matcha, a green tea variety, can encourage the expansion of good bacteria in the digestive tract. In addition to being high in dietary fiber, matcha also contains galactooligosaccharides (GOS), a type of prebiotic fiber that can improve the function of the gut barrier and encourage the growth of good bacteria.

In reality, research has demonstrated that the chemicals in green tea extract and GOS can change the makeup of the gut microbiota in both rats and humans, suggesting that consuming matcha for gut health can have positive effects on the microbiota. The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) during the fermentation process of GOS by gut bacteria is crucial for preserving a balanced gut pH. The GOS in matcha can support a healthy gut by encouraging the production of SCFAs and the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Beneficial Antioxidants for Gut Health: Matcha for Your Gut

Antioxidants found in abundance in matcha, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been associated with better gastrointestinal health. According to research, matcha's EGCG can make good bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus more abundant, while bad bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens are less common. Significant gains in gut health, such as decreased inflammation and improved digestion, result from this.

For example, one mouse study indicated that EGCG from green tea extract significantly alleviated symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated with colitis by changing the makeup of the gut microbiota and decreasing inflammation.

In a similar vein, another human study indicated that EGCG and other green tea catechins increased the formation of short-chain fatty acids, which are linked to better gut health and a more balanced microbiota.

An easy and tasty way to improve your gut health is to drink matcha. Use matcha as a spice for savory dishes, in smoothies or baked goods, or as a hot or cold tea. Doing so will allow you to enjoy the gut-health-promoting effects of EGCG and other antioxidants.

Also Read: Can Kids Have Matcha? All You Need to Know

Prebiotic Fiber for Good Gut Health: Matcha for Your Gut

Prebiotic fiber, found in matcha, is indigestible to humans but fermentable by good bacteria outside the digestive tract. Fermentation results in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play an important role in gut health by supplying energy to colon lining cells, reducing inflammation, and assisting with pH regulation.

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic fiber found in matcha, helps good gut bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli grow. Consumption of GOS increases SCFA production and decreases toxic metabolite production by gut bacteria, according to studies. One study found that after 21 days of taking GOS, individuals' stool samples had more Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli and fewer inflammatory indicators.

One powerful antioxidant that has been associated with better gastrointestinal health is found in matcha: epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Researchers have found that EGCG changes the gut microbiota by making good bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus grow faster and bad bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens grow slower. Less inflammation and improved digestion are the outcomes of this. In a mouse study, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea extract changed the make-up of the gut microbiota, which reduced inflammation and alleviated symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Eating green tea catechins, such as EGCG, enhanced gut microbiota composition and increased short-chain fatty acid synthesis, which is linked to better gut health, according to another human study.

The high quantities of antioxidants like EGCG and prebiotic fiber in matcha may have a positive effect on gut health. To validate matcha's particular impacts on gut health, however, additional research is required.

Matcha Could Support  a Healthy Immune System

The bioactive chemicals present in matcha, including polyphenols, flavonoids, catechins, and L-theanine, can aid in the body's defense against inflammation and oxidative stress. It is believed that matcha's polyphenols can enhance gut health by regulating the microbiota and decreasing inflammation in the gut. An essential immune cell in the body, T cells, can have their activity improved by the catechins present in matcha. One of green tea's distinctive amino acids, L-theanine, can enhance immunological function by stimulating the generation of gamma-delta T cells, an essential component of the body's gastrointestinal immune response.

In addition to these chemicals, matcha is an excellent source of zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C, all of which are beneficial to the immune system as a whole. Because of its unique chemical profile, matcha shows great promise as a natural treatment for gastrointestinal and immune system issues.

Research suggests that matcha tea may help with COPD prevention and treatment by boosting the immune system. An additional benefit of green tea is the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to improve immunological function. The immune-boosting properties of matcha's L-theanine have also been the focus of a thorough review.

Dysbiosis and Matcha

Several health issues can arise from dysbiosis, which is an imbalance in the microbiota of the stomach. Luckily, matcha can improve gut health by reducing the prevalence of dysbiosis and increasing the quantity of good bacteria while decreasing the abundance of bad bacteria. It does this by modulating the gut microbiota.

To avoid dysbiosis, try drinking matcha, which contains chemicals like catechins and L-theanine, which have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. A promising strategy for enhancing gut health and avoiding dysbiosis, matcha supplementation has been shown to raise the abundance of good bacteria while decreasing the abundance of bad bacteria, according to research.

Conclusion

So, think about adding matcha to your diet if you want a delicious way to enhance your digestive health. It is believed that people can enhance their gut health and lower the risk of associated health problems by adding matcha to their healthy diet. Do what's best for your tummy!