Why Does Matcha Make Me Nauseous? Uncovering the Causes

By Marcus Deeprose

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People in some countries consume matcha as a part of their tradition whereas people from other parts of the world have started consuming matcha in the last one or two decades because of the health benefits it has to offer. But Why Does Matcha Make Me Nauseous?

Matcha can benefit your body in many different ways such as reduction in blood sugar level, losing weight, promotion of heart and liver health, and others. Alongside that, the taste of matcha green tea is also more pleasant than the other variants of green tea.

But you may experience nausea after consuming matcha. Well, you may be curious to know why you are feeling like this. First of all, let us tell you that you are not alone; several people across the globe have experienced the same. There are scientific reasons behind this.

In this article, we will try to find out what is causing matcha to make us feel nauseous.

Matcha and Nausea: The Science

Matcha is a fine powder prepared from the Tencha tea tree. The name originated from Japan where it was first prepared. In the recent past, the popularity of matcha has increased significantly. What makes matcha so special is that, here you can drink the whole residue without wasting a single bit of the tea tree leaves.

That is why compared to other variants of green tea, matcha contains more nutrients, and also the antioxidant property of matcha is also astonishing. Nowadays matcha is consumed in various forms, you can choose to drink matcha in its traditional form or you can also consume food and supplements that contain matcha as an ingredient.

But some people raised concerns regarding the consumption of matcha as several cases have been reported where the user experiences nausea right after consuming matcha-based drinks or food.

Catechin also known as tannin which remains in matcha in high quantities causes the person to feel nauseous if matcha is consumed on an empty stomach after waking up from a night’s sleep. The presence of catechin in your bloodstream on an empty stomach rapidly increases the acidity level inside your stomach. Under these circumstances, you will experience nausea and an upset stomach.

How much matcha is too much matcha?

You are asking this question because you are unsure about the quantity of matcha that you can consume daily. If the quantity of your matcha consumption is more than 8 gm, then experiencing nausea is expected. Along with both reasons there are some other additional reasons that we will discuss later.

Why Does Matcha Make Me Nauseous? 

Why Does Matcha Make Me Nauseous? 

Using low-quality matcha for making tea, and storing the matcha tea leaves have a deep impact on how the tea is going to taste.

Moreover, you should never drink cold matcha. But if you follow all the things that we have already mentioned then the following reasons might be potential causes to make someone feel nauseous.

Potential causes

  • Potential Allergic Reactions

Some people show allergic reactions after consuming matcha. you will experience allergic reactions such as irritation in the skin, itching sensation, etc. along with nausea.

  • Sensitivity to Caffeine Levels

This happens to people who are caffeine intolerant. If you can’t bear the high concentration of caffeine present in matcha, you will feel restless and nauseous.

  • Toxic Heavy Metals in Matcha Tea  

Although matcha green tea is known as an antioxidant but presence of heavy metals along with the toxins such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) may be what is behind you experiencing nausea after having a cup of matcha.

  • Additives in Matcha Preparation

In some cases, while processing matcha green tea additives get added from the outside. These additives are not suitable for our human body and can make us feel nauseous.

  • Digestive Issues

If you are already dealing with a digestive problem and then consuming matcha on top of the presence of catechin and caffeine in high concentration in matcha green tea will make you feel dizzy. This dizziness will lead to nausea.

How to avoid nausea when drinking Matcha

If you are experiencing some discomfort after having a cup of matcha green tea, there are certain ways in which you can avoid experiencing nausea.

  • You should avoid drinking matcha on an empty stomach. Not everyone’s body can tolerate the high level of caffeine present in matcha. So, it is better to take a cup of matcha after having a meal or while having snacks in the evening. 
  • While brewing the matcha green tea leaves, always keep an eye on the temperature as boiling at the right temperature is the key to getting a perfect cup of matcha. The most suitable temperature to prepare matcha should be somewhere between 65℃ to 80℃. As the boiling water will remain in a moderate state it will help the tea leaves blend perfectly with the hot water. 
  • You probably have heard about matcha latte. The conglomeration of milk with matcha green tea not only satisfies your taste buds but adding milk to matcha also ensures that you don’t feel nauseous after drinking it. 
  • Daily, you should not consume more than 8 gm of matcha.
  • The quality of the matcha that you are consuming also plays a pivotal role in making you feel nauseous after drinking it. So, choose your matcha green tea with utmost care and by reading the ingredients and harvesting process mentioned behind the pack.
  • Last but not least you should also properly store matcha. Keep the container of matcha away from direct sunlight and keep it in a cool place. Storing your matcha green tea leaves in this way will not induce nausea in your body after matcha consumption. 

How to avoid nausea when drinking Matcha

What are the Health Benefits of Matcha?

Matcha offers more health benefits compared to any other variants of green tea. The entire matcha tea tree leaf is full of antioxidants and high amounts of caffeine. Several studies have proved how matcha can benefit a human by improving the condition of the heart, providing protection to vital organs such as the liver, and last but not least also helping in one’s weight loss journey. Following are some of the proven benefits of matcha

  • Anti oxidising property of matcha

Catechins, present in matcha, are a natural antioxidant that helps in the stabilisation of free radicals responsible for chronic diseases. If you choose to take matcha green tea regularly as a part of your diet then your chance of developing any chronic disease will reduce automatically.

  • Reduction of chances of liver diseases

The liver helps us humans to stay alive in more than one way. The organ removes harmful toxins from the body and metabolises and processes foods and drugs. At present, several people across the globe have been suffering from liver-related issues such as liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and others. Consumption of matcha promotes the healthy functions of the liver.

  • Improves the ability of the brain to function

Researchers have found that 1 gm of matcha powder contains approximately 35 mg of caffeine. Over the years several studies have proven that the consumption of caffeine improves the brain’s ability to function. Besides that, there is one more invaluable component present in matcha and that is L-theanine which keeps a person alert. In some other cases, the same component also induces alpha wave activity inside the brain. These alpha waves reduce stress and help a person to relax.

  • May prevent fatal diseases

Some of the components present in matcha are even responsible for preventing cancer. Among all these healthy ingredients found in matcha, one stands out from the rest and that is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This magic ingredient can tame cancer cells due to its anti-cancer properties.

  • Boosts the heart’s ability to function

Over the last few decades, the number of people dying from heart-related issues has increased exponentially. Most people are dying in their mid-30s. The nutrient profile of matcha ensures that your heart remains in perfect condition to function properly. Consuming matcha reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) along with triglycerides to promote heart health.

  • Helps you to lose weight 

If you are trying to reduce your current weight, you should include matcha in your everyday diet. Matcha increases the metabolism rate which eventually leads to more energy expenditure and finally leads to the burning of fat.

Different Types of Matcha

Several variants of matcha are available in the market. The quality of matcha depends on several factors such as cultivation place, harvesting time, and processing. Not all the variants are equal in providing health benefits and also the taste. All of these matcha grades have their uses. Broadly there are three grades of matcha green tea available at present. 

  • Ceremonial grades

Leaves that are harvested first are referred to as Ichibancha leaves. The texture of these leaves is smoother compared to other variants and it is ideal for preparing tea. All you need to do is to mix them with hot water and stir. The ceremonial grades are greener in color. If you are drinking matcha for its health benefits, this is the grade that you should choose due to the high concentration of L-theanine and caffeine in this variant. 

  • Culinary grades

Second-harvest tea leaves are known as Nibancha leaves. Even after the first harvest, the tea leaves in this grade are also rich in flavour and taste. You can create some amazing fusions by mixing these leaves while preparing lattes and smoothies. Catechin content is higher than ceremonial grade but a slightly lower concentration of L-theanine and caffeine is observed in this variant of matcha.

  • Ingredient grade

Leaves that are being harvested at the end are part of the ingredient grade. The green tea becomes more yellowish after boiling it in hot water. Moreover, the tea also tastes slightly bitter. This grade is mostly used for food and supplement preparation. The highest amount of catechin but quite low in terms of caffeine and L-theanine. 

Conclusion

To sum up, everything that we have discussed so far in this article we can say that there is no harmful substance in matcha that might be causing nausea in your body.

The reason you feel nauseous after consuming matcha may well be potential allergies that you have or the quantity of matcha that you are intaking. So, be careful, and if you still experience discomfort from matcha consumption stop and consult a medical professional. 

FAQs

  1. Can too much matcha make you sick?

Ans. Consuming an excessive amount of matcha can also make you sick. The presence of caffeine in higher concentrations can make the person drinking matcha restless. Your daily matcha consumption should remain somewhere between 5 gm to 8 gm.

  1. Why should you not drink matcha on an empty stomach? 

Ans. Matcha contains catechin or tannin. This tannin is capable of increasing the amount of stomach acid if you consume matcha on an empty stomach. So, you should never drink matcha right after waking up from bed. 

  1. Why does my stomach hurt after drinking matcha? 

Ans. You must be experiencing an upset stomach due to the enhancement in the stomach acid level. This happens if you drink matcha on an empty stomach.

  1. Are there any potential allergens in matcha that could cause nausea?

Ans. There are no such harmful substances in matcha but if you are allergic to tannins or caffeine then you should not consume matcha as it can make you feel nauseous.

Also Read:

Why Does Coffee Cause Nausea?

How Soon can You Drink Coffee after Taking Omeprazole?

Does Coffee Contain Sulfites?

When can I drink Coffee after Tooth Extraction?

Marcus Deeprose is a passionate entrepreneur who believes in the power of great coffee to bring people together. He has dedicated himself to providing high-quality information and advice on all aspects of the coffee experience from brewing to sourcing. Marcus also enjoys sharing his knowledge of coffee through public talks and workshops, where he is able to educate his audience and foster meaningful connections within the coffee community. No matter the setting, Marcus seeks to bring joy and passion to every cup of coffee.

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