THE Times of India reports the story of a 28-year-old young woman who regularly consumed a drink based on matcha tea, seduced by her anti-inflammatory virtues.
But over the months, his state of health deteriorates: persistent fatigue, chills, palpitations. Six months later, she had to be hospitalized. The diagnosis fell: its iron level had hated half. In question, its preexisting anemia, aggravated by its daily consumption of Matcha.
Why matcha can block iron absorption
The particularity of matcha lies in its composition. Unlike classic tea, it is not an infusion but the whole leaf reduced to powder. This difference explains its exceptional concentration in catechins and tannins explains the dietician Alexandra retion interviewed by True Medical.
However, she continues: “This means that the substances that can be found in matcha, tannins are present in higher quantities. So be careful, because they are renowned for inhibiting the absorption of iron, especially that non -hemique“.
In other words, the reserve iron present in the body can be less well assimilated, which accentuates the risk of deficiency.
A drink not suitable for all profiles
In the case of the young British, this phenomenon directly contributed to its hospitalization. However, matcha remains a drink rich in nutrients. “”Matcha nutritional benefits are more interesting because they are increased tenfold“, nuance Alexandra retion.
But she alerts: “For fragile people, those who already have an iron deficiency, women of childbearing age, vegetarians, vegans, athletes, children, the elderly … you have to pay attention to its consumption“.
How to eat matcha
The main advice: avoid drinking it at mealtime. “”If you consume matcha at the same time as its lunch or dinner, it will greatly decrease the absorption of iron“Underlines the dietician.
She recommends allowing one to two hours between a meal – or taking iron supplements – and a cup of Matcha. As for the frequency, it remains flexible: “You can drink matcha once a week or every 3 days, it doesn’t matter. What is important is not to take it at the time of the meal“.
Last advice: favoring in the morning or the beginning of the afternoon, in order to prevent tea caffeine from getting forward on the quality of sleep.