Does Matcha tea enhance oral health? A narrative review

Abstract

Matcha tea is a fine-powdered green tea with a unique "Umami” taste. It is a popular beverage prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which is growing under the shade a few weeks before harvesting the leaves. Consequently, Matcha tea is a green tea possessing distinctive proportions of bioactive chemicals. The health-promoting effects of Matcha tea are well-documented. Matcha tea constituents have diverse beneficial biological activities such as anticarcinogenic, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and enhancing cognitive function. On the other hand, research regarding oral healthpromoting properties of Matcha tea has yet to be conducted. Oral health benefits of Matcha tea are always granted to green tea. This review highlights the healthpromoting properties of Matcha tea and its chemical composition. Also, it summarizes the oral health benefits of green tea as a representative of matcha tea. It is highly suggested to investigate the benefits of Matcha tea for enhancing oral health as it shares bioactive components with green tea but at different proportions. Keywords: Matcha tea, oral health, Camellia sinensis