Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects between 5 and 10% of women in their reproductive years. This complex and often perplexing condition can affect a woman’s fertility and quality of life.
Women with PCOS are often told to reduce the intake of processed carbohydrates, eat clean sources of protein like fish, poultry, eggs, and legumes, get regular exercise, take supplements as needed to maintain health and wellness — and drink green tea for many benefits for PCOS.
Green tea is an excellent choice for women who want to reduce symptoms associated with PCOS. Whether you prefer the Matcha or Loose Leaf form of green tea has some important implications when you’re trying to get the most out of your green tea consumption.
So let’s break it down: what makes Matcha different from Loose Leaf Green Tea? How do you use these two forms? And which is best for women with PCOS?
Matcha vs Loose Leaf
Matcha and loose-leaf green tea are both widely popular for their health benefits. Matcha is made of whole dried green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. Loose-leaf green tea, on the other hand, is composed of unprocessed fresh leaves that are steeped in hot water.
Both options contain high levels of antioxidants and caffeine, but there are a few key differences between the two that should be taken into consideration. Let’s dive into the differences between matcha and loose-leaf green tea.
Nutritional Value
Green tea generally offers a host of health benefits and can be brewed as either matcha with green tea powder or as a loose-leaf. Both types of green tea offer unique benefits, so it is important to know the differences between them.
When it comes to green tea’s nutritional value, powdered matcha contains more than loose leaves. Powdered matcha contains higher levels of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress in the body.
It also has high concentrations of catechins, which are the main type of flavonoid found in green tea and are believed to protect against some forms of cancer and may also help lower bad cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.
In addition, because matcha is made from finely ground whole leaves, its powder form allows for all parts of the leaf (stems, veins, etc.) to be consumed in one form rather than being strained away when drinking loose leaves.
Loose-leaf teas have some nutritional value as well but may not contain the same levels seen in matcha due to it being unfiltered and only containing part of the plant’s essence and nutrients. Loose-leaf is still a great source of antioxidants and catechins but won’t provide quite as much health benefit per cup compared to that matcha due to these nutrients being less concentrated within this beverage form.
Benefits
The benefits of green tea for PCOS are numerous, especially as part of a comprehensive management plan. Matcha and loose-leaf green tea are two forms of this beneficial beverage with slight differences in sources, harvesting, preparation, and so on. Let’s explore these two types of green teas more closely and their potential benefits.
Matcha tea: Matcha is an ancient Japanese form of green tea made from high-quality specially-harvested leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. While most forms of green teas are steeped with hot water and then discarded, matcha is mixed directly into the liquid itself like a smoothie or latte drink to release more healthful antioxidants than other varieties. With regards to PCOS benefits, research suggests matcha is rich in polyphenols which help support hormone balance and reduce inflammation associated with PCOS.
Loose-leaf green tea: Loose-leaf green tea (also known as Sencha) is made from full leaves (rather than powder) that provide similar polyphenol antioxidant concentrations as matcha but the amounts will depend on how long it’s steeped. For those looking to limit its acidic effects during digestion, Sencha can be cold-brewed for numerous hours which can in turn increase healthful nutrient intake levels from the loose leaves compared to hot brewing methods. The antioxidant support provided by both matcha and loose-leaf green teas could minimize metabolic disruption due to PCOS-associated inflammation and related elevated insulin levels for better long-term hormone balance and supportive health outcomes.
How to Use
Green tea can have a range of benefits for people with PCOS. It is known to help reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, and reduce the symptoms of PCOS. The best way to get the maximum benefit from this tea is to know how to use it correctly. Matcha and loose-leaf green tea can both be used for PCOS benefits. Let’s take a look at the differences between them and how to best use them.
Preparing Matcha
Matcha is a traditional Japanese green tea that is made by grinding the entire leaf of the tea shrub known as Camellia sinensis into a fine powder. This form of green tea offers numerous health benefits such as improved liver function, increased energy levels, enhanced concentration, and reduced inflammation.
Preparing matcha is relatively simple, but you must take care to avoid over-infusing it or allowing it to turn bitter. To make matcha, you will need the following items:
-Tea whisk (chasen)
-Tea bowl (chawan) – usually has a froth lip around it which helps to whisk easily with small circular motions
-Matcha (green tea powder)
-Hot water (180°F/82°C)
To begin preparing your matcha, first, you must create a thin paste by adding just enough hot water to your bowl — about 1/2 cup — and measure out two teaspoons of the matcha powder into the hot water carefully. Using the tea whisk, start whisking the mixture in a “W” or “M” shape pattern until the matcha flakes are broken down and a nice froth develops on top.
Then slowly add in more hot water until your desired strength is achieved. When pouring in new hot water you want to make sure it isn’t too hot otherwise your beverage will become bitter and astringent — adjust the temperature as needed based on personal preference. Lastly, enjoy!
Preparing Loose Leaf
Brewing loose-leaf green tea is simple and straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you enjoy the full flavor and potential health benefits of your tea. Start by making sure you have the correct equipment. You’ll need a small teapot with a lid or an infuser or strainer to separate the leaves from your cup. Also, it is important to use filtered or spring water for maximum flavor.
Once your supplies are assembled, measure one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every eight ounces of water in your pot or teacup. Bring the water to a rolling boil, pour over the tea leaves, and set a timer for three minutes.
During this time it is important to avoid using metal utensils with your tea as they can give off an unpleasant flavor that will ruin your brew. If you’re using an infuser or strainer, remove it from the water immediately once the desired brewing time has elapsed.
Now you’re ready to enjoy! Sweeten and add milk if desired, allowing its delicate flavors to shine through without being overpowered by sugars or creamers – although honey is often recommended for PCOS-friendly purposes due to its natural healing qualities as opposed to sweeteners like sugar which can be inflammatory when undergoing PCOS treatments.
Keep in mind that green tea can vary greatly depending on its origin and age so adjust amounts accordingly until you find a preparation that works best for you!
Conclusion
In summation, both matcha and loose-leaf green tea can provide many benefits for people with PCOS when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Matcha contains the highest standardized concentration of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, but it is not available in some areas and has a high price point.
Loose-leaf green tea is easier to find in some regions and can be cheaper than matcha. Both can help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, increase fertility and make symptoms of PCOS more manageable.
When selecting responsible brands and properly brewing the teas, all types of tea offer amazing health benefits, so experiment with them all to get the best results. Those who are not partial to coffee may want to choose green teas as they contain much less caffeine than coffee while offering many potential health benefits to those with PCOS.
Resources
When it comes to selecting the best green tea for PCOS it is important to consider the quality and flavor of the tea, as well as any potential PCOS-related benefits each type may have. Understanding the difference between matcha and loose-leaf green tea and how best to brew each is essential in order to ensure you get the most from these delicious beverages.
To help you decide which type of green tea is right for you, we’ve compiled a list of resources with detailed information on these two types of green tea. Additionally, we’ve included our top tips for preparing the perfect cup of green tea, whether it’s matcha or loose leaf.
Matcha Resources:
-What is matcha?
-The benefits of matcha
-How to identify high-quality matcha
-How to make a perfect cup of hot matcha
-Substitution tips for recipes that call for Chasen (Japanese whisk)
Loose Leaf Resources:
-How to choose & store loose-leaf tea leaves
-Preparing a traditional cup of hot loose-leaf teas using a teapot & infuser (Tetsubin) or French press/cafetière methods – Brewing times & temperatures for different kinds of loose-leaf teas – How to make cold steeping/long infusion with loose-leaf teas -Pairing food with different types & flavor profiles of loose leaf teas Tips for Preparing Green Tea: -Start with freshly filtered water – Choose your brewing tools carefully -Pay attention to brewing times & temperature – Use refreshingly cold water if making cold brewed/infused coffee -Enjoy your perfect cup!
