Superfoods and celebrities – they go together like strawberries and cream, tea and biscuits, vodka and coke! Watch any celebrity magazine or newspaper and it won’t be long before you see the next eating or drinking craze appearing in the hands of your favourite A-listers.
The latest in a long line of trends is the powdered green tea known as matcha.
Matcha is a concentrated form of green tea as it is made of ground-up leaves. It has been seen getting knocked back by a selection of attractive and age-defying celebrities and hence has begun appearing in health food shops and on trendy menus.
But is matcha really that good for you?
The NHS joined forces with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) to investigate the benefits of green tea and concluded that while it may have certain health benefits, there is not enough evidence yet to credit it with the magic powers that have been suggested.
It found no strong proof that green tea protects from cancer, weight loss or Alzheimer’s, but said it may aid the lowering of cholesterol levels.
Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, concluded: “In the Far East, green tea has been used as a treatment for a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to weight loss, as well as a preventative measure for diseases such as cancer, although the evidence for the majority of these conditions is weak or lacking.
“However, as a social drink, it appears to be safe in moderate amounts, so lovers of green tea can continue to enjoy it.”
Enjoy your tea break!
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/superfoods/pages/is-green-tea-a-superfood.aspx