An interesting study published in The Journal of Nutrition found a connection between drinking the catechins in green tea lattes and skin health. What the scientists found in this study was that the skin was better protected from the harmful radiation of UVrays, the structure improved, blood flow and oxygen increased to the skin and the overall quality of the skin improved.
German researchers gave 60 women a beverage with green tea polyphenols that provided 1402 mg of catechins daily for 12 weeks. They ran various tests at different stages throughout the study, testing the photo-protection, function and structure of their skin.
Their report:
"Skin structural characteristics that were positively affected included elasticity, roughness, scaling, density, and water homeostasis. Intake of the green tea polyphenol beverage for 12 weeks increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin. Regular consumption of a beverage rich in tea flavanols contributed photo-protection against harmful UV radiation and helped maintain skin structure and function."
When common green tea (in a bag) is steeped, only 5-10% of the powerful nutrients are infused into the water. Matcha lattes, on the other hand, provides 100% of all the nutrients and health benefits.
Catechins, which are a subcategory of the powerful antioxidant-rich polyphenols, make up 40% of Matcha tea powder compared to the 5-10% that you would receive from steeped traditional green tea. There are 242 mg of catechins per 1/2 tsp or 1 gram of Matcha compared to a 6 ounce cup of steeped green tea which provides about 50 mg. You would have to drink almost 28 cups of green tea from the tea bag daily to reach the 1400 mg of catechins!
Our advice?
Drink about 3 tsp daily of Matcha tea for optimal skin health. You can of course work up to that amount. Start with 1/2 tsp of Matcha 2-3 times/day and as your system becomes more used to it then increase to 1 tsp 3x/day. Start your day with a hot or cold matcha green tea latte to alkalize the body/skin and have a second matcha latte in the afternoon to reduce stress not only internally but also de-stresses the skin!