Gone are the days when supplement companies just produced multivitamins and protein powders – superfood and greens powders have been all the rage for the last couple of years, and their popularity doesn’t seem to be waning! However, matcha is a fairly recent craze, but it’s catching on fast!
In pretty much every coffee shop you go to now, matcha will be on the menu. In fact, there are even cafes that singularly sell matcha. So, you’ll most likely have heard of it, even if you don’t know the ins and outs of what it does.
If you’re looking online for a health-boosting powdered supplement, you will probably come across a few different options, with the most common two being matcha powder and superfood powders.
So, if you’re stuck weighing up whether to buy matcha or go for a superfood powder, or you’re simply wondering what the benefits of both matcha powders and superfood powders are, this article will cover it all!
After taking an in-depth look into both matcha powders and superfood powders, I’ll let you know which one comes out on top!
What Is Matcha?
Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, just as green tea does! However, the growing method that farmers use to harvest matcha differs from green tea, meaning it has a different composition and different benefits.
Matcha is grown by farmers typically in two areas of Japan, Uji in Kyoto and Nishio in the Aichi.
Farmers cover Camellia sinensis plants three weeks before they plan to harvest matcha, therefore meaning the plant stops receiving direct sunlight.
This lack of direct sunlight means that the plant’s chlorophyll levels increase, meaning the amino acid content within the plant also increases – this is also what gives matcha a darker green color in comparison to green tea!
Farmers then harvest these plants and the leaves are selected and ground into a powder – this is matcha powder!
What Are The Benefits of Matcha?
Due to the fact that there is an increase in amino acids within Camellia sinensis plants when matcha is harvested, matcha powder provides more benefits than standard green tea does.
Rich in antioxidants – Matcha is rich in catechins, plant compounds in tea that act as natural antioxidants and help to stabilize free radicals, as well as push toxins from the body.
Improves Cognitive Function – Research has shown that matcha can improve focus and memory, as well as improve cognitive function due to the fact that it contains both caffeine and L-theanine, a powerful nootropic combination.
Improves The Appearance and Health of Skin – Matcha is packed with a number of essential vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin B. Both of these vitamins benefit the health of the skin – vitamin C can help to stimulate collagen production whilst vitamin B promotes cell turnover.
Boosts Energy Levels Without Jitters – In comparison to other teas, matcha powder provides higher levels of caffeine, therefore boosting energy levels more than others. On average, one cup of matcha contains 70mg of caffeine. In addition, you don’t need to worry about caffeine jitters because matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that combats these jitters and reduces stress and anxiety levels!
The Three Best Matcha Powders:
Akira Ceremonial Japanese Matcha
Akira Authentic Japanese Matcha is a matcha powder made from matcha leaves harvested directly in Uji, Kyoto. The formula is USDA-certified organic and JAS (Japenese Agricultural Standards) Certified.
Encha Latte Grade First Harvest Organic Matcha
Encha Latte-Grade Matcha is a USDA-certified organic matcha powder made from premium matcha leaves in the Uji mountains of Kyoto, Japan.
Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder
Jade Leaf is a USDA-certified organic matcha powder that contains matcha leaves directly harvested from farms in Uji and Kagoshima in Japan.
What Is Superfood Powder?
Superfood powders are, as the name suggests, powders that are made up of superfoods. Superfoods are food sources that are particularly nutrient-rich and are said to be incredibly beneficial when it comes to both mental and physical wellbeing.
Superfood powders can contain a mix of superfoods, they can be made from purely green superfoods or red superfoods, or they can be made from a singular superfood.
Superfood powders are created by heating, dehydrating, or freeze-drying superfoods and finely grounding them into powders. The most beneficial way to create a superfood powder is by freeze-drying the ingredients to ensure the smallest amount of nutrients is lost in this process.
Although, not all superfood powders are created equally, most of them once created can provide a wide range of benefits due to the potent superfoods they’re made up of.
What Are The Benefits of Superfood Powders?
Although each superfood powder is unique and therefore each powder has its own set of health benefits, to keep it simple, we’ll be looking at the general benefits of most superfood powders.
Provides A Wide Range of Benefits From Multiple Ingredients – Superfood powders typically contain a range of ingredients and therefore there are a number of benefits associated with these powders. For example, if a powder contains chlorella, it will boost the immune system, improve cholesterol levels, and push toxins from the body, and if a powder contains raspberries, it will boost heart health, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar levels.
Improves Energy Levels – All superfood powders (as long as they’re created properly and contain sufficiently dosed ingredients!) provide a variety of essential vitamins and minerals that will ensure the body is at its optimum level of functioning. In addition, a lot of superfood powders will contain caffeine, therefore boosting energy levels further!
Reduces Inflammation – If a superfood powder includes leafy greens, it will provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Chronic inflammation is linked to serious health issues, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and even cancer. Therefore, it’s important to consume anti-inflammatory ingredients regularly!
Boosts The Immune System – As long as superfood powders contain substantial ingredients, they will provide the consumer with all of the essential doses of micronutrients necessary for optimum health. In addition, certain herbal extracts, such as turmeric, specifically support the immune system.
Protects From Oxidative Damage – Oxidative damage, caused by issues such as chronic stress and air pollution, occurs when free radicals develop in the body and damage tissues. Superfood powders contain antioxidant-rich ingredients, such as leafy greens and berries, that push toxins from the body and protect it from free radicals and oxidative damage.
Lower Stress Levels – Superfood powders that contain adaptogenic herbs will reduce stress and anxiety levels. Adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, literally adapt the way that the body reacts to stressors, lowering the likelihood of high-level stress or long-term, chronic stress.
The Three Best Superfood Powders Out There:
SuperGreen TonikSuperGreen Tonik is the world’s first 7-1 optimized body and brain formula with a fully disclosed ingredients label. The formula contains 38 potent and scientifically proven beneficial superfoods.
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens is a super greens supplement that contains 75 ingredients, including probiotics. The formula is vegan and Certified for Sport® by NSF International.
Vibrant Health Green Vibrance
Vibrant Health Green Vibrance contains 70 ingredients in total and has a fully disclosed ingredients label. The formula is also one of my favorite tasting greens powders on the market.
So, Which Is Better, Matcha Powder or Superfood Powder?
Superfood powders certainly have a long list of benefits attached to them, since they contain more than one ingredient (most of the time!).
Superfood powders will provide many more essential vitamins and minerals than matcha powder will, providing the consumer with a greater likelihood of being in a more optimum state of health and wellbeing.
Additionally, each ingredient within a superfood powder has its own set of health benefits, therefore providing more quality to the consumer!
However, matcha also has a fairly decent list of benefits associated with it and therefore it’s definitely a good alternative in comparison to coffee due to the fact that it contains caffeine and L-theanine, meaning it improves energy levels without giving you the jitters!
Although, there is one instance in which matcha powder is more beneficial than a superfood powder. With matcha powder, as long as you buy a good quality matcha powder, you can control how much of it you consume.
However, unless you buy a good quality superfood powder that contains sufficiently dosed ingredients and has fully disclosed ingredients, it’s unclear if the powder will be effective or not.
If a superfood powder contains proprietary blends and all of the ingredients are not sufficiently dosed, the powder may not be effective. In this instance, matcha powder would be more beneficial than a superfood powder.
The Bottom Line – Choose A High-Quality Superfood Powder!
If you’re looking for a healthy coffee alternative, matcha powder is certainly a good option.
However, if you’re looking for a powder that will provide you with essential micronutrients and an array of health benefits, you’re best choosing a superfood powder, just make sure it’s a high-quality one with a fully disclosed ingredients label!
If you’re interested in purchasing a superfood powder, take a look at my round-up of the best greens and superfood powders on the market.
LifeHacker Guy Greens Recommendation
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