Is your daily matcha having a bad impact on your hormonal health? What the experts say

Matcha may be causing this issue

Medical experts recently revealed that although matcha has a heap of benefits, it can impact your hormonal health.

Hormone health practitioner Mike Kocsis at Balance My Hormones has shared that matcha could be doing more harm than good.

This is mainly because of the impact it can have on a person's cortisol levels.

Matcha contains calming L-theanine that helps buffer the effects of caffeine; it still contains between 60-80mg per serving, depending on how it’s prepared.

In some individuals who have high baseline stress, poor sleep, adrenal fatigue or anxiety, matcha can raise cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. No matter what the source is, caffeine can trigger the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol.

Caffeine also blocks the adenosine (the sleepiness chemical) and increases the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline, which can cause a cortisol surge.

With some people, the HPA axis might be more reactive due to chronic stress, so even the smallest amount of caffeine can lead to a high cortisol response.

Drinking matcha without food can escalate spikes because there is no buffer for caffeine intake.

High cortisol levels can often lead to multiple health issues, like missed or irregular periods.

It can also worsen PMS and anxiety, as well as lower your libido, increase cravings, and cause blood sugar dysregulation.

Matcha may be better for you than coffee, but it contains L-theanine, which calms the nervous system.

It is also full of catechins, which may help metabolic and cardiovascular health.

But if your hormones are sensitive already, such as during perimenopause or when dealing with thyroid, adrenal, or menstrual problems, you may want to lower your consumption of matcha.

Experts recommend just having one cup per day, especially if you have hormonal symptoms.

You should also avoid drinking matcha on an empty stomach.