Can Matcha Make You Smarter?
- Claire Lee
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Social media has everyone obsessing over matcha, a finely ground Japanese green tea that has recently risen in popularity. Compared to coffee, matcha offers a more gradual, steady source of energy thanks to the amino acid L-theanine.
Studies have found that L-theanine contributes to an increase in alpha brain waves, which can lead to a greater feeling of ease and focus. As such, caffeine from matcha tends to release slower into the bloodstream. In combination with a rise in Instagram health and wellness videos, this tea has garnered an eager community that has been purchasing ceremonial grade matcha to the point of causing a global shortage. Some people even claim that it can make you smarter! But is this true?
The already limited research on the benefits of matcha is on mostly healthy patients, whose well-being results from a combination of lifestyle factors. Accordingly, studies on the effects of matcha on cognition are not reliable enough to say for certain that it makes you smarter.
Despite this, researchers agree that consistently drinking this tea has pointed to healthier aging.
It is particularly high in polyphenols, a group of chemical compounds that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. They help neutralise free radicals, which are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons, therefore reducing harm to cells. As a result, cellular dysfunction associated with aging and chronic diseases is less likely to occur if one incorporates polyphenols into their diet.
Drinking matcha every morning may not make you smarter, but it can give you a steady source of energy in the morning and even help you age better!
Claire Lee is a rising senior at Leigh High School in San Jose, California. She is currently a student researcher for miRcore, a non-profit working to democratize medical research for all. She has worked in a confectionary shop and is interested in baking and chocolate.
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