Matcha
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Matcha (Camellia sinensis (Matcha)) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 480 participants, researched for Cognitive Function, Stress & Anxiety, Metabolic Health.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Function
StrongStress & Anxiety
ModerateMetabolic Health
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cognitive Function
To assess matcha tea and snack bar on mood and cognitive performance
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover
Purpose
To assess matcha tea and snack bar on mood and cognitive performance
Dose
4 g matcha tea powder
Participants
23 healthy adults
Duration
Acute
Results
Matcha consumption significantly improved attention, reaction time, and episodic memory vs placebo 60 minutes post-consumption. PMID: 28784536
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery: attention, working memory, episodic memory, information processing
To assess matcha on cognitive functions in community-dwelling elderly
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess matcha on cognitive functions in community-dwelling elderly
Dose
Matcha 2 g/day in beverage
Participants
60 elderly adults (clinically normal)
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Matcha supplementation significantly improved cognitive scores in elderly adults vs placebo. Benefits on attentional function and executive function most pronounced. PMCID: PMC7760932
How They Measured It
MMSE, neuropsychological battery, cognitive function composite score
To assess matcha on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess matcha on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline
Dose
2 g/day matcha
Participants
99 older adults with cognitive decline
Duration
12 months
Results
Regular matcha consumption improved emotional perception and sleep quality in older adults with mild cognitive decline. Neurological benefits sustained over 12 months. PMID: 39213264
How They Measured It
Cognitive tests, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
To review therapeutic potential of matcha tea from human and animal studies
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review therapeutic potential of matcha tea from human and animal studies
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Matcha improves cognitive function, decreases stress/anxiety, and has beneficial metabolic effects. Higher EGCG content than regular green tea provides greater neuroprotection. PMCID: PMC9792400
How They Measured It
Comprehensive review of cognitive, cardio-metabolic, and anti-tumor effects
Stress & Anxiety
To assess matcha on attentional function following mild acute psychological stress
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess matcha on attentional function following mild acute psychological stress
Dose
Matcha supplement (equivalent to 3 g powder)
Participants
21 healthy young adults
Duration
Acute
Results
Matcha consumption maintained attentional function during psychological stress without affecting perceived fatigue. Reduced stress reactivity confirmed. PMID: 33744591
How They Measured It
Stroop test, stress measures, fatigue questionnaire
To investigate matcha on anxiety-like behaviour in mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate matcha on anxiety-like behaviour in mice
Dose
0.2% matcha in diet
Participants
Mice
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Matcha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviour and depressive-like behaviour. Mechanism involves dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. PMID: 31735789
How They Measured It
Open field test, elevated plus maze, forced swim test
Metabolic Health
To assess matcha on body composition and metabolic parameters in overweight adults
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess matcha on body composition and metabolic parameters in overweight adults
Dose
Matcha 2 g/day
Participants
40 overweight adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Matcha supplementation significantly reduced fat mass and total cholesterol compared to placebo. Antioxidant capacity enhanced. No adverse effects.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, fat mass, metabolic markers
To assess matcha on physical endurance and energy expenditure
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess matcha on physical endurance and energy expenditure
Dose
3 g matcha (500 mL matcha tea)
Participants
13 healthy women
Duration
Acute pre-exercise
Results
Matcha significantly increased fat oxidation rate by 17% during moderate-intensity exercise and improved cycling endurance vs water control. PMID: 28429913
How They Measured It
Fat oxidation rate, cycling endurance, energy expenditure
To review effects of green tea and matcha catechins on cardiometabolic outcomes
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review effects of green tea and matcha catechins on cardiometabolic outcomes
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple RCTs reviewed
Duration
Various
Results
Matcha/EGCG supplementation significantly improved multiple cardiometabolic parameters including cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and body weight across RCTs.
How They Measured It
Lipids, blood pressure, glycaemia, body composition across RCTs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Matcha research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Matcha (Camellia sinensis (Matcha)), involving 480 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Stress & anxiety, Metabolic health. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Matcha has been researched for: Cognitive function, Stress & anxiety, Metabolic health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 9 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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