Does Matcha Make You Poop?
Have you ever had to go to the bathroom after drinking matcha?
It’s likely matcha’s digestive effects taking place. Matcha has a diuretic effect that can help your body eliminate excessive waste, AKA “poop.”
But why?
Warm matcha supports gut health due to its high antioxidant content. Additionally, warm liquids such as matcha can help ease bowel movement. And while caffeine in matcha acts as a laxative.
This post is about answering the question, “Does matcha make you poop?” Discover the reason why matcha can help accelerate digestion. You’ll learn about the interesting relationship between matcha and bowel movements.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground, vibrant powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. In Japan, matcha has been used traditionally in tea ceremonies for centuries.
One interesting aspect of matcha is that you consume the whole tea leaf. Whereas tea leaves are steeped and discarded with regular brewed green tea.
Since the entire leaf is consumed, it has a higher concentration of nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins. It has numerous health benefits, such as an improved immune system, mental clarity, and digestion.
Making matcha involves shade-growing the tea plants for a few weeks before harvest. This increases the chlorophyll levels in the leaves, giving matcha its distinctive bright green color. The leaves are then carefully handpicked, steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
The result is a versatile ingredient that can be whisked with hot water to form a frothy green tea or used in smoothies, lattes, and desserts.
Matcha has a slightly grassy and bitter taste and hints of sweetness and umami.
The taste can vary depending on the grade and quality of the matcha you choose. High-quality ceremonial-grade matcha will have a smooth, rich taste, while lower grades may be bitter. It’s one of the reasons why higher-quality matcha is more expensive.
The Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha is rich in antioxidants that can help protect your body from harmful free radicals that can cause oxidative stress.
Specifically, matcha contains catechins, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a powerful type of antioxidant linked to various health benefits.
Support Metabolism and Weight Loss
Consuming matcha regularly can support your metabolism and aid in weight loss efforts. It has thermogenic properties. This means it helps your body produce heat and burn calories more efficiently.
Matcha may also help lower cholesterol levels, promoting heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Alleviate Chronic Conditions Like Arthritis
The anti-inflammatory properties of matcha are another key benefit. Due to its rich antioxidant content, matcha may help reduce inflammation. This can alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Supports Overall Wellness
Matcha is more than just a source of antioxidants; it also provides essential vitamins and minerals. You’ll find nutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and magnesium, supporting overall wellness and various bodily functions.
Balanced Energy and Calmness
One unique aspect of matcha is its L-theanine content, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness.
L-theanine can help reduce stress and anxiety while increasing focus and mental clarity. With its combination of L-theanine and caffeine, matcha gives you a sustained energy boost without the crash afterward.
So, if you need an energy boost or want to improve your overall well-being, consider reaching for a cup of matcha.
Does Matcha Make You Poop?
Matcha is known to have a positive effect on your digestive system.
The combination of caffeine and antioxidants in matcha can stimulate your digestion and help alleviate constipation. Additionally, the warm liquids in matcha can further aid digestion and facilitate bowel movements.
One of the key components found in matcha is an antioxidant called polyphenols. This compound has been shown to improve digestion by supporting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Ultimately, this leads to the body getting rid of excessive waste through the bowel.
How Long Does Matcha Take To Make You Poop?
Matcha will take between 12 and 72 hours to stimulate your digestive system and release excess waste. The amount of time depends on the individual, such as the amount of matcha consumed and the overall diet.
Below is a breakdown of several factors on why matcha makes you poop.
Rich in Antioxidants
Matcha is rich in antioxidants that support numerous health benefits. It has a higher concentration of polyphenols than other varieties like oolong or white tea.
Polyphenols can help move excessive waste through the bowel system. Additionally, antioxidants can promote the production of digestive enzymes in the body. This helps reduce constipation while ensuring regularity in getting rid of stool. Another benefit is that matcha also helps with bloating.
Hot Liquids Get Things Moving
Drinking hot liquids such as matcha will make stool soft. Hot beverages can stimulate bowel movements to help get rid of waste.
Hot liquids act as a vasodilator, which can widen blood vessels in the digestive system and helps increase blood flow. Drink hot matcha instead of cold matcha if you need to increase the transit time to get things moving in your gut.
Drink hot matcha in the morning to flush out your system and stay hydrated.
Caffeine Acts As A Laxative
Caffeine can help improve energy, mental alertness, and concentration.
Additionally, caffeine is a laxative to help the body eliminate excess waste. Since matcha is much more caffeine than other teas, it’ll make you go to the bathroom more often.
Caffeine can stimulate the digestive health system when consumed in moderate amounts of up to 250 milligrams (mg) daily. However, more caffeine doesn’t mean more visits to the bathroom.
Excessive caffeine does the inverse effect by slowing down digestion and causing constipation. Unfortunately, decaf matcha doesn’t exist if you’re trying to reduce caffeine intake.
Does Matcha Make You Poop More Than Coffee?
Both matcha and coffee contain caffeine, which can act as a mild diuretic and improve bowel movements.
Coffee will make you poop more than matcha because it contains more caffeine per serving. Coffee will have a stronger effect in inducing bowel movements. While matcha seems to have a more gentle effect on the digestive system.
Everyone’s body is different. Some might find that coffee immediately sends them to the bathroom, while others react stronger to matcha. It depends on the individual’s gut microbiota, tolerance to caffeine, and overall diet.
Does Matcha Make Your Poop Smell?
No, matcha doesn’t make your poop smell. There isn’t any evidence to suggest that matcha can alter your poop’s odor. Although matcha can stimulate digestion, it may indirectly affect the overall smell of your bowel movements.
Any changes in smell could be the result of dietary changes. For example, if you’ve consumed more green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, or kale, matcha can help move that through the bowels.
If you think matcha is causing a change in your stool’s odor, reduce your intake or observe any other dietary changes you’ve made.
Does Matcha Make You Poop Green?
Matcha is a vibrant green color, but there’s a tiny chance it’ll turn your poop green.
These matcha leaves are rich in chlorophyll, which gives them their vibrant green color. Chlorophyll can color feces green if consumed in large enough quantities. However, the average person won’t drink enough matcha to make their poop green.
The likely case is that matcha has bonded with green foods resulting in the green-colored stool.
Does Matcha Make You Have Diarrhea?
While it’s true that matcha can support your digestive health, you might be wondering if it can cause diarrhea.
The short answer is that matcha shouldn’t cause diarrhea in moderate amounts. Some individuals may experience a rare case of diarrhea if they consume too much matcha.
If matcha is causing you to have diarrhea, it’s likely due to excessive intake of caffeine and catechins. Or the addition of enhancers such as sweeteners and milk.
Some people have food intolerances and sensitivities. If you have an intolerance to matcha, then that could cause diarrhea.
Matcha is slightly acidic, which could cause diarrhea for anyone consuming it on an empty stomach. Have a light snack or meal with your matcha to avoid this.
Matcha contains a moderate amount of caffeine, stimulating your bowel movements and aiding digestion. However, excessive caffeine intake can have a diuretic effect, leading to increased urination and possibly diarrhea.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matcha’s Digestive Effects
Does matcha have a laxative effect?
Yes, matcha can have a mild laxative effect for some people. This is due to its caffeine content and catechins. Caffeine acts as a laxative by promoting bowel movements. While antioxidants such as catechins can aid in starting the digestive system.
Does matcha cleanse your gut?
Matcha can provide some benefits in maintaining a healthy gut. Its antioxidants and catechins may help reduce inflammation and promote good bacteria growth in your gut.
Why am I pooping so much after matcha?
If you find yourself pooping more often after matcha, it’s likely because you consumed an excessive amount. Matcha has a moderate level of caffeine, and its antioxidant content isn’t enough to cause excess poop. Too much matcha also means excessive caffeine, which can help soften stool and stimulate bowel movements. Additionally, if you’re consuming a matcha latte and are sensitive to dairy, that could be a cause.
Can matcha cleanse your gut?
While no specific evidence suggests that matcha alone can “cleanse” your gut, it provides some health benefits that can support a healthy digestive system. Matcha’s antioxidants and catechins may help reduce inflammation, promote good gut bacteria growth, and aid digestion by supporting bowel movements.
Does matcha make you poop in the morning?
The timing of when matcha affects your bowel movements may vary depending on your body and digestion. Matcha will generally take between 12 and 72 hours to stimulate your digestive system. Some people might experience an urge to poop after consuming matcha in the morning, while others may not notice any significant difference. It’s essential to listen to your body and adjust your matcha intake.
Final Thoughts
Matcha is a unique Japanese tea that can provide many health benefits. Heart health, anti-inflammatory properties, and an assortment of essential vitamins and minerals make matcha a wellness elixir.
An interesting role of matcha lies in its role in digestion. Matcha can stimulate your digestive system, and yes, it might even expedite your trips to the restroom. But why? The polyphenols in matcha support gut health, and its warmth can help ease bowel movement. And while caffeine in matcha also plays a role in getting rid of excess waste,
Although matcha doesn’t have the same laxative effect as coffee, it’s still a great tea that can support the digestive system.
