This year’s Matcha Challenge has been our biggest success yet, made even more exciting as it was the 5^th anniversary. We had more than double the participants of last year and some truly excellent feedback in the survey.

To mark the five-year anniversary and for the first time ever, there were three Grand Prizes of Matcha for a Year to be won and we are delighted to announce our three lucky winners. Congratulations to Susana Gaspar, Anna Sward and Hannah Niland! Each winner will receive a tin of our OMGTea AAA Grade Organic Matcha every month for twelve months.

The OMGTea Matcha Challenge was born out of our desire to support people in doing something positive, yet simple, for their overall health and well-being and we are proud of the incredible impact it has had on hundreds of people over the last five years. Read on to find out more about the benefits this year's participants experienced.

Can Matcha help you lead a healthier lifestyle? - 98% said yes!

We were absolutely chuffed to see that 98% of participants this year said drinking matcha made them want to lead a healthier lifestyle. This is what it’s all about in our opinion, making healthy choices to support long term health. It’s not about rigid rules that you are unable to stick to, it’s about adopting healthy practices that fit into your lifestyle and what we have observed time and again is that consuming matcha regularly not only has a positive effect on your health, it also naturally influences other decisions you make throughout the day.

Once I put effort into some aspects of my health, I then find it easier to change other aspects.

For me, the process of making the matcha is very enjoyable so it makes me want to spend time caring for the preparation of other things I’m consuming and doing, which I believe is helping push towards a healthier lifestyle!

Yes! Something about it has prompted me to eat more vegetables and be more conscious about the food I consume.

Starting off each day with Matcha puts me in a great mindset and has me wanting to eat healthier throughout the rest of the day.

Does drinking Matcha give you more energy? - 88% said yes!

Matcha is widely known for providing energy and it was great to have this reflected in the Matcha Challenge results. 88% of participants experienced an increase in energy and they had some great feedback to share as well:

I experienced more consistent energy.

Steady energy and a clear mind all day. No 3:00 PM crash.

Less anxious / jittery than coffee, generally more stable throughout the day.

My energy levels were prolonged rather than an initial hit of energy that then wore off.

I felt a general increase in energy which lasted longer than when I drink coffee (it didn’t spike and plateau like when you drink coffee).

Several respondents mentioned sustained energy, which is a key benefit of quality matcha and that distinguishes it from other caffeinated drinks. Matcha contains caffeine, which can increase alertness, concentration and energy levels by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation. This promotes wakefulness and can combat fatigue. Matcha is also rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that has calming and stress-reducing effects. L-theanine promotes alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with a state of relaxed alertness. This combination of caffeine and L-theanine results in a smoother and more sustained energy boost. 

Does Matcha help to increase focus and concentration? - 83% said yes!

 The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in matcha may also contribute to increased focus and concentration, and improved cognitive function. 83% of participants experienced improved focus when consuming matcha regularly and felt that they could concentrate on tasks more effectively.

Focus appears effortless for a while, a wonderful sensation!

I found it easier to focus on tasks and get things done.

I struggle with ADHD, and I think that matcha really helps my concentration levels as well as my focus and energy.

Not just work but felt I could focus much better in the gym as well.

I have experienced a noticeable improvement in my ability to complete tasks, especially in the context of my employment, with heightened focus. Additionally, I perceive an enhanced capacity for multitasking.

Can Matcha give your workout a boost? - 79% said yes!

The Samurai would drink matcha before going into battle to enhance their physical performance and today, many of us drink matcha to give us a boost before exercise or physical activity.  The effects of matcha on endurance may vary from person to person, depending on factors such as fitness level, diet, and overall health so it was really encouraging to see that 79% of respondents who exercised throughout the Challenge were able to exercise for longer or noticed an increase in their overall endurance.

Absolutely, I feel like I can run further.

I beat a lot of my personal bests at the gym.

Yes, drinking matcha before a workout really gave me a boost, I had more energy to exercise for longer and I tried new workouts.

Can Matcha have a positive impact on your mood and general well-being? - 88% said yes!

Improved mood is another key benefit reported by participants of the Matcha Challenge; 88% said they felt regular matcha consumption had a positive impact on their mood. Matcha has the potential to affect mood and general well-being because of its high L-theanine content. L-theanine not only has calming effects; it also promotes the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with feelings of relaxation, happiness, and well-being. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, L-theanine may help elevate mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

My anxiety levels have more than halved and my mood was much better.

I feel happier in myself, not as stressed or anxious.

I felt generally healthier and happier.

This is the first Jan/Feb that I have had no depression for over 20 years. Thank you, Matcha!

This is the second year I've done the matcha challenge and it REALLY makes a difference to get through the mud and the gloom of January.

Can Matcha help you feel more present in the moment? - 90% said yes!

Matcha preparation can be a form of mindfulness practice, where we focus our attention on the aroma, flavour and texture of the matcha and as we already know, L-theanine has the potential to give us a sense of calmness and focus. Combined, these two aspects of matcha consumption can help us feel more present in the moment as experienced by 90% of Matcha Challenge participants.

I am generally calmer and more empathetic and mindful.

Every morning, I start off blending and whisking my cup of Matcha: as I do it, I focus on the movements and think about the tea growing, far away. It's a beautiful way to begin my day and really helps to set me up.

I have really noticed an increase in my attention and awareness. I feel I’m not as forgetful either.

Yes, following the routine/ritual of creating matcha has allowed me to be present in the moment, to concentrate on the ritual and to really enjoy what I'm drinking.

Other benefits participants highlighted were improvements to skin such as brighter and clearer complexion, improved digestion, better sleep and, healthy hair, to name just a few! 

It has been humbling and incredibly encouraging to read though the feedback and we want to say a big thank you to everyone who participated and took the time to share their experience. 

If you should have any questions regarding this research or the Matcha Challenge, don’t hesitate to get in touch at hello@omgteas.co.uk.