Matcha’s elevated levels of antioxidants—even among green teas—is because of how you consume matcha, by eating the entire leaf. You could ingest the nutrition that you would throw away in a steeped tea bag otherwise. This puts it way above other foods more commonly known to be rich in antioxidants.

L-theanine is a protein that helps regulate cortisol (a stress hormone) and moderates your body’s caffeine uptake. Matcha leaves are higher in L-theanine because they’re grown in the shade, which prevents the L-theanine from transforming into a more bitter tasting catechin. 

So when you drink matcha, the L-theanine calms you down while caffeine lifts you up—producing higher brain function than caffeine alone.

Matcha sustains a calmer, longer energy boost compared to the spike and crash that comes from the caffeine in coffee. This is because matcha includes L-theanine, which provides a calming effect. Together, the combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha provides sustained focus and energy.

A study showed that when L-theanine and caffeine are combined, it improved a person’s behavioral performance (Hit Rate) significantly, when compared to L-theanine or caffeine alone.