Are Matcha Lattes Healthy? The Nutritional Facts
If you’ve ever had a matcha latte, you know firsthand how delicious, creamy, and nourishing it can taste.
But beyond the flavor, are matcha lattes healthy?
With their vibrant hue and antioxidant content, matcha lattes can provide health benefits such as improved focus and boosted metabolism and heart health.
The preparation method to make a matcha latte is significant in how healthy it is. Matcha lattes tend to have a lot of sugar and milk, which have a lot of calories. This negates the health benefits of Matcha, especially for weight loss.
Grabbing a matcha latte from a popular chain like Starbucks is convenient. But beneath the surface of frothy milk and delicate tea lies a sweet secret—these lattes are often pre-sweetened.
This blog peels back the layers to explore what’s in your matcha latte, revealing the implications for your health and offering insights into making healthier choices. Dive into the green with us as we sift through the facts.
What Is Matcha Latte?
A matcha latte is a blend of matcha powder whisked with hot water to form a smooth paste. It’s combined with steamed milk or a non-dairy alternative to create a creamy, frothy drink.
Matcha lattes balance the robust, earthy taste of Matcha with the comforting richness of milk.
The Difference Between Green Tea and Matcha Green Tea
Matcha and green tea are sourced from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but they have different cultivation and processing methods.
Matcha tea bushes are shaded for around 20-30 days before harvest, which boosts chlorophyll levels and gives the powder its vibrant green color. The entire green tea leaf is used to make Matcha. The leaves are then stone-ground into a fine powder.
Unlike green tea, which is typically left in leaf form after steaming.
Are Matcha Lattes Healthy?
Matcha latte is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also provides a unique blend of caffeine and L-theanine that can increase alertness while avoiding the caffeine crash that is common with coffee.
Matcha latte can be a healthful choice, only if you avoid adding excessive sugar and high-fat dairy products. Matcha alone is very healthy, but it becomes unhealthy when too much sugar or milk is added.
What Makes Matcha Lattes Unhealthy?
Added sugars and high-calorie dairy or non-dairy milk can compromise the healthiness of your matcha latte. Be mindful of the sweeteners and milk alternatives because they can turn your healthy beverage into a calorie-dense dessert.
This is especially true if you order a matcha latte from Starbucks. Starbucks matcha is presweetened because they use pre-mixed matcha powder, mostly sugar. So, you’re drinking an unhealthy calorie-dense and sugar matcha latte.
Is Matcha Latte Healthier Than Coffee?
Matcha has a different nutritional profile than coffee. Matcha is rich in polyphenols and provides steadier energy without jitters.
While coffee generally contains more caffeine, Matcha includes catechins and L-theanine, which might promote a more balanced energy boost and mental clarity.
Both coffee and Matcha become unhealthy when you add excessive sugar and dairy. So, if you want to sustain the health benefits, try to reduce any additives.
Is Matcha Latte Good for Weight Loss?
Whether matcha lattes are good for weight loss is difficult to answer because it depends on their preparation.
Generally, matcha lattes contain matcha powder, milk or non-dairy alternatives, and a sweetener. Both milk and non-dairy alternatives and sweeteners contain additional calories.
Losing weight requires a calorie deficit. Regularly consuming matcha latte may hinder weight loss because it contains additional sugar and calories.
On the bright side, Matcha does have metabolism-boosting properties of catechins. Studies suggest that Matcha can help increase thermogenesis, which is the body’s rate of burning calories, and specifically target abdominal fat, especially when consumed before a workout.
However, it’s essential to be mindful of the additional ingredients, such as sugar and milk, which might be added to a latte, as they can significantly increase the calorie content.
How Many Calories in Matcha Latte?
The calorie content of a matcha latte can vary widely depending on the ingredients used.
A standard serving there can tally up to around 190 calories. To keep your matcha latte weight-friendly, choose unsweetened Matcha and consider low-fat or plant-based milk.
A homemade matcha latte with no added sugar contains significantly fewer calories—a mere 26 calories, for example—if you use low-calorie milk alternatives and skip added sugars.
In contrast, commercial matcha lattes, like those in popular coffee shops, can be higher in calories due to added sugars and milk.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Matcha Latte?
Matcha latte can provide health benefits due to the high antioxidant content found in Matcha. It has a rich concentration of antioxidants known as catechins, which help combat inflammation and oxidative stress.
Here are several notable health benefits of Matcha:
- Cognitive function: Regular intake can enhance mental clarity and focus, owing to its L-theanine content.
- Heart health: Components of Matcha may support heart health by helping to maintain healthy blood pressure and artery function.
- Weight management: Combining caffeine and catechins may aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism.
- Immunity boost: The antioxidants present in Matcha bolster your immune defenses.
- Radiant skin: Matcha contains antioxidants, particularly EGCG, which combat free radicals that cause premature aging, wrinkles, and fine lines.
When you sip on a matcha latte, you’re treating yourself to a creamy delight and providing your body with a nourishing boost.
Remember, moderation is key—enjoying a matcha latte can be a healthy addition to your diet, especially if you’re mindful of the sugar content.
Are Starbucks Matcha Lattes Healthy?
Starbucks matcha lattes can be high in sugar and calories, depending on preparation.
All Starbucks matcha lattes are pre-sweetened because they use a pre-mix matcha powder that contains mostly sugar.
It’s best to avoid adding any sugar syrups or sweeteners and select low-calorie milk options such as almond or skim milk. Moderation is vital to balancing the health benefits of Matcha with the potential drawbacks of added sugars and calories.
How to Make a Healthy Matcha Latte
Ingredients:
- Uji matcha powder: 1-2 teaspoons
- Hot water: 1 tablespoon
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy): 6 ounces
- Sweetener (optional): to taste
- Vanilla extract (optional): for flavor enhancement
Instructions:
- Prepare Matcha Paste: Place matcha powder in a cup. Add the hot water and whisk quickly until the powder is fully dissolved and a smooth paste forms.
- Heat Your Milk: Warm your choice of milk on the stove or microwave until it’s simmering but not boiling. For a frothier latte, use a milk frother.
- Combine & Flavor: Pour the hot milk into the cup with the matcha paste, stirring to integrate. If desired, add a sweetener and vanilla extract and whisk until frothy.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your freshly prepared matcha latte while it’s warm and the flavors are at their peak.
Final Thoughts
While matcha lattes can provide an array of health benefits, the sugar and calories lurking within can negate some of the nutritional value. Opting for less sugar, better dairy, or non-dairy options can help reduce the calories and sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Matcha is rich in antioxidants, which can help maintain a healthy balance in your gut flora. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also soothe the digestive system.
Drinking a matcha latte daily can be fine if you’re mindful of the caffeine content and your overall intake from other sources to avoid excess.
Starbucks matcha lattes contain sugar and sweeteners, making them less healthy than unsweetened homemade versions, but they provide the antioxidants found in Matcha.
Matcha lattes offer a range of health benefits, including antioxidants and improved mental clarity. However, the health value can decrease with added sugars.
Matcha lattes generally have less caffeine than coffee and can provide a more sustained energy boost without the jitters, thanks to the presence of L-theanine.
