From the Desk of a Doctor Newsletter
Here are 3 things you didnāt know that matcha can do for you - and why it might be one of the most underrated performance drinks out there.
š§ 1. It keeps your brain sharp under stress (not just awake)
Most people think matcha = weaker coffee. Thatās wrong. A randomized human study showed:
Matcha improves attention and task performance under stress
Caffeine alone does not sustain the same effect (PMID: 34067795)
š Why this matters: Anyone can feel focused when things are easy. Matcha helps when your brain is under pressure.
The difference comes from L-theanine, which:
Smooths stimulation
Reduces mental noise
Prevents the āspike ā crashā effect
š Translation: You donāt just feel alertā¦ you stay dialed in
š 2. It can actively reduce stress (if the chemistry is right)
This is where it gets interesting.
Matchaās calming effect depends on a specific compound balance:
(Caffeine + EGCG) vs (Theanine + Arginine)
When that balance is right ā you get reduced stress and better mental stability (PMID: 31267836)
When itās off ā you may feel jittery or anxious
š Meaning: Not all matcha works the same. The right matcha doesnāt just stimulate you, it modulates your stress response
š§ 3. It may support your brain long-term (not just today)
In a 12-month randomized trial, daily matcha intake was linked to:
Improved sleep quality
Better emotional processing
Signals of cognitive support over time (PMID: 39213264)
Thatās rare. Most ābrainā supplements donāt even have long-term human data.
š Translation: Matcha may not just help you perform today, it could be quietly supporting your brain in the background
ā Not All Matcha Is Created Equal
Matcha isnāt just āmatcha.ā Quality varies dramatically, and it directly impacts:
How you feel
How smooth the energy is
Whether you get benefitsā¦ or jitters
š Translation: Bad matcha = bitter, weak, sometimes anxiety-inducing
Good matcha = smooth, clean, and actually works
šæ What I Personally Use
If youāre going to drink matcha, this is the one I like: Pique Sun Goddess Matcha
Organic, ceremonial-grade matcha crafted by third-generation teamasters
Sourced from Kagoshima, Japan ā known for clean growing conditions
Mountain-grown ā naturally reduces pesticide exposure
Uses a cold extraction process to preserve phytonutrients
No brewing required ā mixes instantly
š Why this matters: Most matcha is lower quality or poorly processed. This one focuses on purity, consistency, and actually delivering benefits. Get up to 20% OFF + Free Gifts
āļø The Bottom Line
Matcha isnāt hype. Itās just misunderstood.
Better focus under stress
Less jitter, fewer crashes
Potential long-term brain benefits
If coffee makes you anxious, wired, or crashing mid-day matcha is a strict upgrade. Not because itās stronger, but because itās smarter stimulation
Talk soon,
Dr. Myro Figura, M.D.
š References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34067795/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31267836/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39213264/
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About the Author
Iām Dr. Myro, a board-certified doctor and med school educator who somehow ended up with over 6 million followers watching my science videos on
YouTube,
Instagram,
TikTok,
and Facebook.
Iāve published 60+ scientific abstracts and even written a book, but this newsletter is my favorite project. Here I get to share the good stuff ā simple, actionable health tips delivered twice a week. Happy to have you here.
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