A ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha ingredient was shown in a recently-published clinical study appearing in Nutrition Research to improve mild, stress-related cognitive decline and reaction time in young adults. The matcha ingredient, developed by Taiyo in partnership with the global ingredient supplier ITO EN, came as a result of a partnership between the two companies which began last year.
 
Matcha has long been used for food and beverage flavors, and the new evidence for its cognitive support benefits will likely popularize the green tea as a raw material source for dietary supplements. “Matcha powder is a wholesome, nutritious ingredient. When treated with care, matcha is a rich source of polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, fibers, chlorophyll, and L-theanine,” Derek Timm, PhD, RDN, functional ingredient technology expert for Taiyo International, said.
 
In the present study, researchers in Japan recruited 42 participants between the ages of 25 and 34, administering to them a two-gram dose of ITO EN’s ceremonial-grade matcha daily for two weeks or a placebo. After completing tests which were designed to induce mild, acute psychological stress, participants’ memory, attention, and reaction times were evaluated using a subsequent test battery.
 
The results indicated that the participants who consumed ceremonial-grade matcha daily had higher attentional function than the placebo group, leading researchers to concluded that the interaction between caffeine and theanine naturally present in the matcha produced a positive effect on cognitive function in young adults during or after stress conditions. They also noted that the catechins found in matcha could have played a role in supporting cognitive function in the supplementation group. “Because the brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress, the antioxidant properties of catechins may play important roles,” the authors wrote. With the team of researchers having found benefits in elderly populations and younger adults, the next goal of the team is to “investigate the interaction between matcha consumption and social life among middle-aged and older subjects, in situations that require attention in social life and make comparisons to observe any differences,” they said.
 
“They also experienced faster reaction times and were better able to identify positive emotions, which may indicate a happier perspective,” Timm said, noting that the gaming/esports supplement category may also benefit from the introduction of matcha supplements.
 
In addition to a strong background of research behind matcha and L-theanine in particular, the supplement also contains naturally-occurring caffeine in normal dose ranges, and formulators can also supplement the L-theanine found in matcha with an additional dose to take advantage of the mood, sleep, and focus benefits of the amino acid.