Matcha and Concentration

Matcha green tea powder is the perfect drink to help you concentrate

You know the feeling when you are working or studying and are so tired you can barely keep your eyes open to focus on what needs to be done. When I’m really tired, I am past the point of a coffee, as it just makes me jittery and puts me in a weird state of tired alertness. Matcha green tea, on the other hand, wakes me up without the haze and without the jitters. Caffeine is found in both beverages, but matcha and coffee deliver caffeine in different ways, leading to different results!

Have you ever wondered how caffeine actually works in your body? Caffeine is classified as a psychoactive drug, which works to block a particular molecule that suppresses your central nervous system. This means that the transmissions between cells in your body increase so you are more alert and hormones such as dopamine and serotonin are released.

A cup of matcha contains approximately 20% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. However, there is a vital difference in the way matcha delivers this caffeine in comparison to coffee. With matcha, the caffeine is absorbed and released slowly by the body over a period of 6-8 hours. This means that matcha provides a sustainable energy boost without the rapid 30-minute spike, slump, and jitters associated with coffee.

In addition, tea is the only plant that makes the amino acid theanine. And because matcha plantations are shaded before harvest, matcha contains the highest concentration of theanine. Theanine is known for its ability to increase alpha waves in the brain and promote calmness and alert concentration, giving matcha users a great “zen” state. Controlled experiments have shown that theanine has a positive effect on the mind and improves memory by increasing dopamine levels. Additionally, the alpha brain waves increase 40 minutes after a person consumes theanine, making this a great drink for students.

Although both matcha and coffee stimulate alertness, matcha releases caffeine over time and its high concentration of theanine means that the caffeine is better harnessed to promote focus and concentration.