Matcha: How to get the most out of It?

Matcha can help prevent or slow down neurodegeneration by reducing neuroinflammation, lowering oxidative stress, and modulating proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. If you are a matcha lover who drinks one serving after another – read on!

More Is Not Necessarily Better

Consuming excessive amounts of matcha may not yield additional health benefits. The key to harnessing its virtuous properties is moderation. The optimal serving for full benefits is 1.5g – 2g of powder, which is approximately one level teaspoon. A balanced approach to your diet and matcha consumption will help you enjoy its health advantages without the risks of overexposure. Are you a matcha fan? What are your favourite ways to enjoy it?

Neuroprotective Effects of Matcha

Discover the precise mechanisms through which regular matcha consumption supports cognitive performance and builds brain resilience against neurodegeneration:

• L-theanine: May alleviate stress and anxiety, promote focus and relaxation, and improve mental clarity.
• Reduction of Neuroinflammation: Involves decreasing proteins associated with inflammation (e.g., P-JNK, COX-2, IL-1β) and supporting antioxidant systems within the brain.
• Reduction of Amyloid-β and Tau Proteins: Lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Preserving Brain Structure: May maintain neuronal density in the cortex, offering significant protection against vascular ageing and preventing cognitive decline (markedly improving memory, attention, and executive functions).

A Deeper Understanding of EGCG

EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is the most potent antioxidant in matcha, aiding weight loss and offering anti-ageing effects. It is a powerful catechin that inhibits the aggregation of neurotoxic proteins and reduces oxidative damage.

EGCG Content: 2g of matcha ≈ 100–200mg of EGCG.

Additional Components (in 2g of matcha): 44–50mg of caffeine and 20–40mg of L-theanine.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) notes that consuming 300–400mg per day is safe, while intake exceeding 800mg of EGCG daily may negatively affect liver function.

Matcha and EGCG – When Levels Are Too High…

The high EGCG content in matcha can significantly inhibit the activity of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) – a crucial enzyme for DNA synthesis, with potential anti-cancer and anti-bacterial benefits. This inhibition acts as a slow, potent binding mechanism, comparable to certain pharmaceutical antifolates.

It is worth noting that DHFR inhibition may increase the risk of neural tube defects in women who are trying to conceive. Furthermore, consuming matcha simultaneously with inactive folic acid or fortified food products can create a "vicious cycle," where high levels of unmetabolised folic acid (UMFA) further inhibit DHFR.

Factors that may exacerbate the situation:

• Low-Carbohydrate Diets: The DHFR enzyme is dependent on NADPH, which is primarily produced from glucose (via the pentose phosphate pathway - PPP).
• Mineral Deficiencies: Magnesium, zinc, selenium, and B3.
• Excessive Polyphenol Intake: Particularly curcumin and quercetin, which are also DHFR inhibitors. This risk increases when combined with other EGCG-containing products, such as pre-workout supplements.
• Prescription Medications: Such as methotrexate, trimethoprim, and pyrimethamine.
• MTHFR Mutations.
• High Oxidative Stress: Can overload the DHFR enzyme.

When DHFR Slows Down

DHFR is essential for converting tetrahydrobiopterin from its inactive form (BH2) back into its functional form (BH4). The regeneration and maintenance of BH4 levels are critical for:

Amino Acid Metabolism: (Phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan).

Neurotransmitter Synthesis: (Dopamine, as well as serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine).

Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) Function: And protection against endothelial dysfunction.

Immune Response and Pain Sensitivity.

Deficiencies in this recycling pathway are linked to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

eNOS Coupling

BH4 is indispensable for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO). When BH4 levels are low and BH2 levels are high (due to low DHFR activity), eNOS becomes "uncoupled" and produces superoxide (a free radical) instead of NO, leading to increased oxidative stress and vascular damage.

Sources:

Neuroprotection: BH4 is a necessary cofactor for dopamine and serotonin synthesis.

Synthesis and recycling of tetrahydrobiopterin in endothelial function and vascular disease PMC5357050

Dihydrofolate reductase protects endothelial nitric oxide synthase from uncoupling in tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency PMC3121954

Crucial neuroprotective roles of the metabolite BH4 in dopaminergic neurons PMC10197517

Tetrahydrobioterin (BH4) Pathway: From Metabolism to Neuropsychiatry PMC8573752

Matcha Green Tea on Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis (P8-3.015) https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000211496

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