Study: Matcha Tea Eases Anxiety

Japanese matcha tea is essentially green tea but it is grown, produced and prepared differently than ordinary tea. A few weeks before harvesting, the plants are shaded, which increases their production of caffeine and theanine. When served, the powdered tea is blended with water or milk rather then steeped in a tea bag in hot water. A single serving of matcha tea contains the nutritional value of 10 cups of ordinary brewed green tea and 137 times more antioxidants. Now, researchers have found that matcha reduces anxiety.

Scientists at Kumamoto University in Japan observed the behavior of mice using the "elevated plus maze" test, a plus sign-shaped maze used to evaluate levels of stress in the rodents. The researchers found that the mice exhibit less anxiety when introduced to various matcha extracts.

The scientists conclude that the anxiolytic effects of matcha tea are due to the activation of dopamine D1 receptors and certain serotonin receptors, namely serotonin 5-HT1A receptors.