Matcha For PCOS- The Surprising Benefits (and recipe!)

Okay, okay.  I know I talk about matcha a lot!  But it’s only because I’m on a mission to get every person with PCOS drinking a daily dose of matcha.  Besides the implementation of my favorite PCOS supplement, NAC, there’s nothing I’ve added to my PCOS lifestyle that has helped more.

I’ve been consistently having a matcha latte every morning for the last year (this is my favorite brand).  Previous to that, I’d have them here and there, but never really enjoyed that flavor and didn’t see much point in incorporating something I didn’t enjoy.  But then I heard some of my peers talking about the benefits of matcha, how much they loved it, and how the flavor (a natural bitter) became sweet and nutty over time as their taste buds developed.

What really got me curious about matcha was the purported health benefits, especially the cancer-preventative EGCG.  As a cancer survivor, I am always looking for ways to decrease my oxidative stress and boost my prevention plan, and I felt like I needed to give matcha the benefit of the doubt.

In fact, there are a lot of health benefits for PCOS with matcha, as I’ve discovered through my research since falling in love with it.  It’s now such a part of my routine, and something I discuss so frequently that I joke it’s now my whole personality!

Here are some of matcha’s benefits for PCOS:

Health benefits of Matcha for PCOS

Slow releasing caffeine is easier on stress hormones

Let’s face it, almost all of us drink some caffeine and despite warnings to the contrary, a small to moderate amount of caffeine can be just fine for PCOS, even when overactive adrenals are at play.  That said, not all caffeine is created equal.  Though coffee does have some health benefits, I’m not a fan of the way the caffeine in coffee hits you so quick, it’s stressful on the body and can lead to crashes later (and the need for another cup).  Matcha, on the other hand, hits your system slowly.  It has a natural slow release that gives you steady energy for much longer without crashes.

Coffee is also very caffeinated, about 300mg per cup compared to the approximate 70-140 mg you’d get in an average matcha latte.

Matcha Reduces Facial Hair/Hair Loss

Green tea is what’s called a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.  This means that it helps block the conversion from testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  DHT is the most potent form of testosterone in the body and is the real culprit behind PCOS facial hair and hair loss.  The conversion happens via an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase which green tea helps to block.  I’ve noticed marked improvements in my PCOS facial hair since regularly drinking matcha and so have many of my clients.

Matches Reduces Cravings/Appetite

This one seemed too good to be true but I actually have noticed this myself.  On mornings I drink a matcha, I’m sometimes not even hungry for breakfast.  I’ve gotten to the point that I make matcha my breakfast by incorporating protein with it and it’s all I need!  I’ll show you the recipe below.

Matcha has an appetite supressing effect that can be super helpful when you are trying to stick to any kind of nutrition plan.

Matcha Support Immune Health and Hormone Balance

Matcha contains ample antioxidants.  It’s one of the best sources, in fact, and much better than traditional green tea.  All those antioxidants help with hormone metabolism by supporting our liver’s detoxification pathway.

Matcha also contains lots of polyphenols, plant components that feed good gut bacteria.  Did you know that about 80% of our immune health is dependent on the health of our gut bacteria, called our microbiome?  Here’s an article I wrote about that.

Matcha reduces anxiety

Matcha contains a component called l-theanine that helps us produce a neurotransmitter called GABA.  GABA is your body’s natural anti-anxiety neurotransmitter and those with PCOS are often deficient in it.  A daily dose of l-theanine may help you feel calmer and more balanced which could also help your adrenal function.

Matcha improves acne/skin health

Matcha reduces the amount of sebum we produce which helps to cut down on acne.  It also really does give the skin a pretty glow (all those antioxidants!) and I’ve heard that from many people.  I can attest that with my aging skin, it’s made a world of difference.

How to make matcha taste good

The biggest question I’m asked whenever I share about matcha is how can we make it taste good?  So many have tried it and found it too bitter, grassy, or just plain gross.  Honestly, I get it because I used to have that experience but I promise if you give it a chance, you’ll likely end up loving it!  Here are my best tips:

1. Buy high quality matcha.  Matcha is grown to be savored and just like wine or coffee, not all matcha is created equal.  High quality, organic matchas will be more green and have a better flavor profile.  You want a culinary grade matcha (not ceremonial) if you are going to make lattes, which I highly recommend.  Culinary grade sounds like it’s inferior but for mixing with other items, it actually has a better flavor.  If you are going to drink straight matcha tea, ceremonial grade is made for that but I wouldn’t recommend it starting out!  I prefer Aprika Life’s matcha.  I fell in love with it long before i ever had a link to give you guys and have been repping it since.  It’s the best I’ve tried and comes from a small family farm/family business, is double organic (Japan and USA) and is affordable.  You can find it here, use code AMBERFISCHER for 10% off.
2. Make it in iced latte form.  The latte and ice part are both important here- matcha is bitter and ice cuts bitterness.  It mellows out the flavor so you can enjoy it more and I personally love an iced matcha in the summer, so refreshing!  Use a non-dairy milk you like, I love coconut, cashew, or oat milk in mine.
3. Start with a teensy amount.  Usually you’d put about 2 tsp in a matcha latte but when I got started drinking them unsweetened, I used less than half a tsp.  That gave me the flavor of matcha, but more subtley and since I already like the taste of the oat milk, my taste buds began to crave the flavor of the matcha and I began to increase the amount little by little.
4. Sweeten if you must (but lightly).  Many of the great health benefits of matcha are somewhat negated if we drink one packed with sugar like they typically serve at coffee chains.  At local coffee places, I’ve found that you can often ask for it unsweetened because they make it the traditional way, and this is what you ideally want.  If you need the sweetness, try a little stevia or monk fruit (you can find my recommendations for sweeteners in my Amazon store) and if that fails, a tsp of honey should be enough.  Try to work your way down with sweetener because sweet tastes are very numbing for the tongue and they prevent you from enjoying the full range of flavors in not just matcha but other food as well.

Matcha Latte Recipe

Here’s how I make mine daily.

You’ll need:

• 1 tsp organic culinary grade matcha (my favorite)
• 2 Scoops collagen (I like this brand)
• A large glass or cup (12-16 oz) (I always use this glass spill proof cup)
• Hot water (boiled then slightly cooled), about 2 oz.
• Ice
• Your favorite non-dairy milk, preferably a creamy kind like coconut, cashew, oat, etc.

In a matcha mixing bowl or mug, mix matcha, collagen, and just enough hot water to dissolve them (usually an ounce or two)

Using a bamboo whisk, froth the matcha.  (Here’s a matcha tool set that helps a lot- the bamboo whisk cuts down on bitterness too!  A barista taught me that!)

In your drinking glass, fill halfway with ice and fill with non dairy milk, leaving room at the top for your matcha mix. Pour on top and enjoy!