Matcha is a very controversial drink among junior high students. Some love it, some hate it, and some even worry it could be causing hair loss and iron deficiency. In a recent poll of 83 seventh and grade students, 66.3% drink matcha, and 12.2% drink it every day.
Although its popularity in the U.S. has increased over the past three years, some still think matcha’s just a trend, and does not deserve all its fame. “People shouldn’t give it that much attention; it’s just a drink,” said Marion de Armas ‘30.
Lulu Perez ‘30 disagrees. “It’s not just a trend. I actually like the taste, and it’s really aesthetic,” she said.
And now, some recent reports state matcha could cause hair loss and iron deficiency. Students like Liana Leon ‘30 ignore these rumors. “I block it out because of how good the taste is,” she said, and she continues to drink it daily.
Fortunately for Leon, professionals say drinking matcha in moderate amounts won’t cause any hair loss or iron deficiency. People only need to be concerned if matcha is consumed in excessive amounts (4-5 grams a day) or if they are eating a primarily plant-based diet and already have low iron levels. Additionally, children under 12 should not drink matcha.
According to a Vogue article,“The good news is… drinking matcha is not a direct cause of sudden hair loss.”
However, experts say if someone is worried about iron deficiency, stopping matcha altogether is not necessary. Instead, consuming more vitamin C rich foods should help avoid that problem.
While some are worried about the health concerns matcha is rumored to bring, matcha actually has some benefits for your health because it is packed with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, nutritionists say matcha can be a great alternative to coffee since it doesn’t have as much caffeine, so it will still give you your morning boost without making you feeling jittery.
“I find it delicious and it gives me a good energy boost without increasing my heart rate very much,” said nutritionist Maria Cristina Martinez.
Overall, matcha can be consumed safely, moderately, and can be a beneficial part of your morning routine.
