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When you walk into your favorite café for breakfast or to grab a morning coffee, you’ll likely spot a matcha option on the menu, too. 

Matcha has origins in China and became extremely popular in Japan.

More recently, it’s become a drink of choice in many other countries, including the United States. 

COFFEE VS. MATCHA TEA: WHAT DOES YOUR MORNING DRINK CHOICE SAY ABOUT YOU?

Matcha, which is green, offers consumers earthy notes in every sip. It’s a type of powered green tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is similar to green tea. 

What really makes matcha different is the way the plant is grown, being protected by the shade leading up to its harvesting. When the plant is harvested, its stems and veins are removed, and the entire leaf is turned into a fine powder. 

Matcha can be consumed in a variety of ways, most commonly in the form of a beverage. In order to make matcha tea, which can be enjoyed hot or iced, simply mix the powder into your water. You can also combine matcha powder with milk, for more of a latte-type drink. 

Alternatively, you can include matcha powder in baked goods or sprinkle it over oatmeal or a healthy acai bowl. 

Matcha isn’t famous for its taste alone, it’s also popular for its health benefits. 

Matcha can be served hot or iced. You can buy matcha from your local café or make it yourself at home. (iStock)

Some of the health benefits, which are thought to stem from consumption, are as follows:

1. Full of antioxidants
2. Enhanced brain function
3. Protects the liver

1. Full of antioxidants

Matcha is full of antioxidants, including catechins, which are plant compounds found in green tea that act as natural antioxidants, according to Healthline. 

The high amount of antioxidants found in matcha can be attributed to the fact that the whole leaf is turned into a fine powder, differentiating it from other green teas, which are usually brewed from the leaves. 

The high level of antioxidants in matcha may help prevent cell damage and lower risk for certain diseases, according to WebMD. 

2. Enhanced brain function

In a study published in 2017 by PubMed per the National Library of Medicine, a group of 23 individuals were examined for how they performed different tasks aimed at measuring brain performance. 

Some of the individuals were given four grams of matcha in tea or a bar, while the control group had a placebo.

Matcha is prepared differently than the typical tea, being directly stirred into water instead of seeped. (iStock)

The study found that those who consumed four grams of matcha had improvements in attention, reaction time and memory compared to those that were given a placebo. 

Further studies are needed to solidify the idea that matcha improves brain function, as scientists have noted that the enhanced brain function could be a result of the caffeine in matcha, according to WebMD. 

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An average cup of matcha contains about 19 to 45 milligrams of caffeine per gram, which is about 38 to 176 milligrams of caffeine per cup on average, according to Healthline. 

For comparison, a cup of coffee has about 70 to 140 milligrams per brewed cup, according to the source. 

Matcha does contain caffeine, with the average cup ranging from between 38 and 176 milligrams. (iStock)

3. Protecting the liver

Matcha and green tea could reduce your risk of liver disease. 

In 2015, a review published by PubMed Central was done of 15 studies that found drinking green tea was associated with a decreased risk of liver disease. 

In 2020, experts noted that the protective properties of matcha for the liver benefit those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat builds in the liver, by reducing liver enzymes, but could have the opposite impact in those without NAFLD, according to Heathline. 

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Before trying to incorporate anything new into your diet, including matcha, always start with small amounts, so you know how your body will react. 

Nearly half of all U.S. counties don’t have a practicing cardiologist on staff, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

Rural communities are most affected, with Americans in those areas dying earlier and more often from heart disease that could have been prevented, according to a May report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study, led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, analyzed over 3,100 counties.

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Forty-six percent of the counties did not have access to cardiologists — meaning that 22 million residents would not have access to heart-related health care.

When looking just at rural counties, more than 86% of them did not have a cardiologist.

“While cardiologists are not the only determinants of cardiovascular outcomes, the lack of access to cardiologists in areas with greater prevalence of heart disease and mortality is incredibly concerning,” said senior author Haider J. Warraich, M.D., director of the heart failure program at VA Boston Healthcare and an associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in a press release.

How does this impact patients?

In counties without a cardiologist, patients have to travel an average of 87.1 miles to get the care they need, the study found.  

“When a patient is having a heart attack, time matters,” said Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide.

In the counties without a cardiologist, patients have to travel an average of 87.1 miles to get the care they need, the study found.   (iStock)

“If a patient is unlucky enough to have a heart attack in a rural area, without cardiology services, they are sometimes transferred via ambulance or helicopter, but this takes time while the heart is dying.”

In some cases, these patients receive high-risk medications called thrombolytics to help stop the heart attack, according to Serwer, who was not involved in the new study.  

“Thrombolytics are an inferior option to treat heart attacks compared to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as stenting,” Serwer said. 

“When a patient is having a heart attack, time matters.”

“Thrombolytics are a last resort when transfers are not possible or will take too long, as they are still better than the alternatives.”

Patients in rural counties have a higher age-adjusted cardiovascular mortality rate — on average, they live one year less than their urban cohorts, according to Serwer.

Why the lack of cardiologists?

Several factors may contribute to the scarcity of heart specialists in rural areas, according to Serwer.

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“Cardiologists train in academic hospitals with a wide network of colleagues, specialists and sub-specialists,” he told Fox News Digital.

“When they finish training, many of them want to join a large group practice or hospital practice, as there is comfort working alongside other cardiologists who can provide mentorship and guidance, especially early in one’s career.”

“These deficiencies cause a delay in care and can mean the difference between life and death,” a cardiologist said. (iStock)

Many cardiologists are unwilling to leave an urban environment to move to a remote location, he noted, particularly if they have children who need access to more schooling options.

Cardiologists in rural areas are also more likely to be overworked, Serwer said, due to the fact that the community may only have one or two heart specialists. Often, the community doesn’t have subspecialists such as CT surgeons, electrophysiologists or interventional cardiologists. 

“These factors ultimately lead to less time with the family and an unfavorable work/life balance,” the cardiologist said.

Another challenge is that rural facilities require a complex system to transfer patients for a higher level of care, he went on.  

“Inpatient and critical care beds at tertiary medical centers are hard to find,” Serwer said. “These deficiencies cause a delay in care and can mean the difference between life and death, which takes an emotional toll on rural health care providers.”

“Understand the importance of cardiac risk factor modification with healthy lifestyle, exercise, diet and medication compliance,” a cardiologist advised. (iStock)

There are also reimbursement considerations, as many rural hospitals don’t have the financial ability to pay their doctors adequately, according to Serwer.

There is also a great need for anesthesiologists in rural counties, he added. 

“Nearly every hospital procedure requires an anesthesiologist, whether it’s cardiology, OB, orthopedics or general surgery.”

What needs to happen?

Solving the rural health care dilemma should start with greater awareness and a better understanding of the issues and limitations, according to Serwer.  

One option is to set up “creative staffing models” to cover more parts of the country.”

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“We need to reduce the hurdles and increase the incentive for physicians, nurses, technologists and administrators to provide rural health care,” he told Fox News Digital.

One option is to set up “creative staffing models” to cover more parts of the country, said Serwer.

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His company, VitalSolution, partners with rural facilities to provide long-term coverage for cardiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and cath lab technicians. 

“Our physicians work seven days on and then get seven days off,” he said.

“This unique model allows our physicians to work where they are needed and live wherever they want — it’s a win/win for physicians and community hospitals.”

Technology-based clinical support — such as telemedicine — should also be used on a wider basis, a cardiologist recommended. (iStock)

Technology-based clinical support — such as telemedicine — should also be used on a wider basis, Serwer recommended.

“We also need more governmental financial support for rural community hospitals and incentives for physicians, nurses, technologists and administrators,” he said.

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Another option is to promote rural health care while in medical school by requiring rotations in those communities, the cardiologist said. 

“These rural rotations can be very rewarding, and can help young physicians gain a more comprehensive understanding of the practice of medicine.”

“Establish a relationship with a primary care provider and know more about your chronic medical conditions,” a doctor advised.  (iStock)

The study researchers also called for policy changes to expand internet availability for telemedicine access and to broaden health insurance coverage.

Managing modifiable risk factors for heart disease could also help to reduce risk in rural communities, they stated.

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“This study underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and innovative solutions, such as financial incentives for clinicians and the expanded use of telemedicine, to bridge this gap,” said Harlan M. Krumholz, M.D., editor-in-chief of JACC, in the release. 

“Ensuring equitable access to cardiovascular care is a crucial step toward improving overall public health outcomes and reducing preventable cardiovascular mortality.”

Short-term fixes

For patients who are currently living in one of the cardiac care “deserts,” Serwer recommended becoming familiar with the medical care that is available.  

“Establish a relationship with a primary care provider and know more about your chronic medical conditions,” he advised. 

“Understand the importance of cardiac risk factor modification with healthy lifestyle, exercise, diet and medication compliance,” he also said.

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Those who have a cardiac condition should make a plan of where and how to seek cardiac care if needed, the doctor said.

“They can also write to their elected officials to ask them to do more to supplement the existing health care infrastructure,” Serwer added.