In the meantime, Dr Crystal Wyllie at Asda Online Doctor pointed out: “There is no direct study to support the claim that excessive matcha consumption will have adverse effects on a woman’s menstrual cycle and hormone production, but it’s still important to exercise caution when consuming caffeine.
“Caffeine in high amounts from any source can potentially worsen cramps and contribute to bloating as it is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow, so excessive consumption could potentially have an impact on a patient’s menstrual cycle. However, this is the case for all caffeine-containing products, rather than just matcha as an anomaly.
“Matcha however, also contains a powerful antioxidant known as ECGC, which can reduce inflammation and aid digestion, potentially even easing cramps.
“In terms of hormone production, there is not enough clinical evidence to suggest that matcha has any harmful effects on hormone production during the menstrual cycle. Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation, which could help to reduce cortisol and regulate stress. However, it is important to note that matcha doesn’t directly ‘balance’ hormones like estrogen and progesterone, in the same way that hormonal therapy would.”
