<body><div>All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Matcha may have been used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan since the seventh century, but today you’re more likely to see the green tea’s Instagrammable froth all over your feed. However, matcha can do a lot more than just look pretty—many drink it as a <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/coffee-alternatives-caffeine-energy-healthy">healthier alternative to coffee</a>.“Matcha green tea and coffee <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/is-coffee-good-for-you">both offer a range of health benefits</a>, along with some potential harms, particularly when consumed in large amounts or by those with sensitivities,” says Tamar Samuels, MS, RD, and the cofounder of <a href="https://culinahealth.com/">Culina Health</a>. “Generally speaking, matcha is a healthy alternative to coffee and may be better tolerated by those that are sensitive to compounds found in coffee.”I’ve been thinking about radically reducing my coffee consumption lately, and I wanted to experience these supposed health benefits of matcha myself. So I decided to give up my beloved <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/oat-milk-myths">oat milk</a> cappuccino for two weeks and opt for a matcha latte instead.<h2>What is matcha?</h2>Matcha is a finely ground powder made from the green tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which grows in the shade. The tea gets its bright green color from the high chlorophyll content, which is supposedly what creates a wealth of nutrients.In contrast to conventional green tea, the whole leaf is consumed with matcha, which is what allows the full potential of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to be extracted. Matcha also contains caffeine—but its high L-theanine levels supposedly provide a lasting, gentle alertness without the typical jitteriness that coffee can cause.The ancient tea has been a medicinal powerhouse for centuries. We asked a nutritionist if the hype still holds up today.By <a href="https://www.glamour.com/contributor/serena-coady">Serena Coady</a><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1KhqeA_0vxiugu300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KhqeA_0vxiugu300" width="640" height="640" ></figure><h2>What are the benefits of matcha?</h2>“Recent research has begun to shed light on the various health benefits associated with matcha green tea, including its role in potentially enhancing antioxidant activity, supporting metabolic health, and improving cognitive function,” Samuels says.One of the most significant benefits of drinking matcha <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/is-green-tea-good-for-you">green tea</a> is that it’s rich in antioxidants. “These help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to numerous chronic diseases,” Samuels says, adding that regular matcha consumption also has potential <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996923005525?via%3Dihub">cardio and metabolic benefits</a> like improved glucose and lipid profiles, reduced inflammation, and decreased weight gain.“Cognitive function is another area where matcha appears to have a positive impact,” she says. “<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/12/3639">Research</a> suggests that matcha may offer protective effects against cognitive decline, particularly in elderly women. This benefit is likely attributed to its high content of catechins, lutein, and vitamin K, which are known for their neuroprotective properties.”However, Samuels notes, while all this research is certainly promising, there hasn’t been enough to make any definitive recommendations. And though green tea is typically safe to drink, keep in mind that it does contain caffeine. “Excessive intake may lead to difficulty sleeping, headaches, and feelings of jitteriness or shakiness,” Samuels says.<h2>Tips for making the switch from coffee to matcha from an expert</h2>I tried to change my habit overnight, which didn’t go so well for me. (More on that in a minute.) It turns out, a gradual switch from coffee to matcha is even better, according to matcha expert Louisa Birkhahn, founder of <a href="https://matchaunion.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorJ-25M6wmsud8cHIhGknW0GM03r2XT6S9UgRBnlxwM5H8yHgKB">Matcha Union</a>. These are her tips for a seven-day coffee detox:<ul><li>Adapt the schedule to your individual needs. You may need more or less matcha throughout the day.</li><li>Reduce your coffee consumption gradually. Start with a small cup of coffee in the morning and a matcha in the early afternoon for the first two days. Then continue to reduce your coffee intake until you can cut it out completely on the last day of the week. Her tip: “Drink your last matcha of the day before 2 p.m. to get a good night’s sleep.”</li><li>Experiment with different ways to incorporate matcha into your diet, like in your baking or cooking.</li><li>Keep an eye on your progress and note any positive changes you notice.</li></ul>MatchaBar Matcha Starter KitMatchaful Hikari Ceremonial Matcha<h2>How I swapped my coffee for matcha</h2>Before this experiment, I’d consider myself an indulgent coffee drinker. I don’t need caffeine to feel awake and energized—I just look forward to my morning ritual of a hot, creamy cappuccino with oat milk because it tastes so good.But from eleven o’clock in the morning on the very first day of giving up coffee, I could only think about one thing: I need that cappuccino. I felt sluggish, foggy-headed, and low in energy. Sure, any new challenge is hard—but I didn’t realize it would be this hard.I have to admit: With deadlines approaching and a jam-packed day-to-day life, I wimped out on the first day of the experiment. By that afternoon, I couldn’t take it anymore and had <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/gut-health-coffee-health-benefits">a cup of coffee</a>. The caffeine boost didn’t take long to kick in, and neither did my happiness. But I promised myself that I would do better the next day.As the first week progressed, I would drink a matcha latte with oat milk for breakfast in the morning and sometimes a second one in the afternoon—occasionally with ice, which tastes almost better in my opinion.While making coffee was, for me, as simple as pressing a button and frothing the milk, I found my new matcha ritual to be much more time-consuming…but nicer. Sometimes, a five-minute break can make all the difference in a hectic day. My cravings for coffee still lasted for a few more days, but they were quickly satisfied with a matcha alternative.And after the first week, I got used to my new matcha routine. I started to prefer the taste of the green tea and how it gives me energy—and the health aspect also is encouraging. After all, the green powder has far more health benefits than coffee and looks prettier too.Most PopularAfter drinking matcha instead of coffee for two weeks, I have to admit that I haven’t completely given up coffee yet. On the first day after my experiment, I looked forward to my morning coffee— but since then, I have cut down to only one cup of coffee a day instead of two. Now, I’ll drink a matcha latte in the early afternoon or go without any caffeine.It was a fitting coincidence that I started the experiment shortly before my period, when I usually suffer from PMS symptoms like a lack of energy and mood swings. Surprisingly, I didn’t experience any of that while doing this test. That may have been the biggest change to my well-being, as I felt happy all the way up to my period. Even those around me (ergo: my partner) noticed this, so I’ll be giving up coffee again in the days leading up to my period next month.I also realized how much I’d come to rely on coffee, and I was surprised by how drained and sluggish I felt in the first few days of withdrawal from it. Matcha also has caffeine, but it’s absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream, which gave me a steadier energy boost throughout the day even when I only had one drink in the morning.So my long-term goal is to add more variety to my hot drink selection. Coffee, matcha, cocoa, herbal tea—these are my go-tos, instead of just oat milk cappuccinos. Since I’ve integrated these swaps into my everyday life, I feel more rested, more awake, and healthier as a result. The ceremonial preparation of matcha tea also remains a small highlight in my everyday life.A version of this story was previously published in <a href="https://www.glamour.de/artikel/selbsttest-matcha-statt-kaffee-veraenderung-wohlbefinden">Glamour</a> <a href="https://www.glamour.de/artikel/selbsttest-matcha-statt-kaffee-veraenderung-wohlbefinden">Germany</a>.</div></body>

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I Swapped My Coffee With Matcha for Two Weeks, and the Results Seriously Surprised Me

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Matcha may have been used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan since the seventh century, but today you’re more likely to see the green tea’s Instagrammable froth all over your feed. However, matcha can do a lot more than just look pretty—many drink it as a healthier alternative to coffee.

I Swapped My Coffee With Matcha for Two Weeks, and the Results Seriously Surprised Me

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