Unveiling the Truth: Can Matcha Impact Fertility?

In the quest to look for natural products with maximum health benefits, a type of green tea called “Matcha” has now taken the world by surprise.

Celebrities and influencers raving about its benefits added to its popularity.

In fact, you can now spot ice creams, lattes, and infact beauty products of matcha flavor, Insane right? 

Well, with an increase in its consumption, controversy regarding its potential adverse impact on fertility has suddenly turned up.

Since it is a type of green tea and completely natural people have a hard time believing the word on the street.  However, there are still some who are trying to find answers to does matcha causes infertility.

Well, this question is a matter of concern for many people and we can understand why.

Therefore, we are here with the science behind the claims that provide you with valuable insights about whether matcha is good for fertility or not.

Key Insights

• Matcha is a popular green tea type among Japanese people but recently it has achieved worldwide fame.
• It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that have beneficial effects on health.
• Matcha is surrounded by controversies for possible adverse effects on fertility.
• There is no scientific evidence to prove that matcha can cause infertility. All of the adverse effects of matcha are linked with its overconsumption.
• People also include moringa, and sea plants to improve their testosterone levels and fertility.

Does Matcha Cause Infertility?

Answering it straight away, “Matcha doesn’t cause infertility”.

The vibrant and trendy traditional green tea is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which makes it a healthy drink.

This is why it is a popular drink in Japan and why Japanese people are considered the healthiest in the world.

However, the link between matcha and fertility issues has been a topic of discussion for a while. People often link its high caffeine content and lead in it with infertility.

Adding to it, a high concentration of catechin is also found to inhibit the iron in the body. This can affect the formulation of hemoglobin, cause irregular periods, and also affect sperm quality.

But are these claims true? Can matcha cause infertility?

No! There is no scientific evidence that links matcha with infertility or pregnancy issues.

The concerns of people reading about matcha and infertility can only turn into reality on its overconsumption.

In fact, contrary to the prevailing belief, matcha has been found to have a positive impact on fertility.

It is rich in antioxidants that lower oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Oxidative stress is found to lead to embryo fragmentation and the formation of numerous developmental abnormalities. (source)

Adding to it, Matchs is rich in vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium which are crucial for healthy reproduction.

Also, L-Theanine an amino acid found in matcha can improve improve mood and lower stress and can thus help with fertility.

Talking about caffeine, as compared to coffee, matcha contains less caffeine. To elaborate, while one cup of coffee contains 95 mg of caffeine, one cup of matcha includes around 70 mg only. 

Also, matcha provides energy for longer in comparison to caffeine. So, overall, matcha does not cause infertility.

Then why are there so many claims about its negative impact?

To simply understand, “excess of anything is injurious to health”.  Likewise, consuming an excess of matcha can possibly lead to negative impacts. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to the right dosage.

How Much Matcha Can Affect Fertility?

Matcha is high in caffeine and also contains lead. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to moderate consumption.

Notably, around 200mg of caffeine is safe for someone trying to conceive and matcha contains 35 to 70 mg of caffeine per teaspoon (about 2 grams).

Therefore, it is recommended to consume not more than 2 cups of matcha per day.

Even though moderate matcha consumption is safe, there is still a need to break the common myths about the link between matcha and infertility.

Bursting the Myths About Matcha and Infertility

As soon as a natural medication starts gaining popularity, it is common to see myths and misconceptions surrounding it.

Matcha is no exception, and since we are discussing does matcha makes you infertile, here are some of the common misconceptions surrounding it.

Myth #1. Matcha Affects Reproductive Hormones

This point is often brought up in the discussion about matcha and its negative impact on fertility.

While match includes compounds that can elevate hormonal levels, there is no scientific evidence to support it. Also, most of the side effects of matcha are because of its high dosage consumption.

Myth #2. Antioxidants in Matcha are Harmful to Fertility

It is also said that high antioxidant levels in matcha can adversely affect fertility. It is said that compounds like EGCG can lower sperm quality and also cause DNA damage.

However, contrary to this myth, antioxidant compounds can actually protect the cells from damage and help boost fertility.

Myth #3. Lead Exposure from Matcha Can Cause Infertility

This myth can scare anyone. This is because lead is never associated with health benefits. While matcha does contain lead it only gets harmful if you consume too much of it.

Now, how much is too much? Well, let’s just say if you are drinking 8-10 cups of matcha every day, you are bound to witness some side effects. In fact, this is possible with any other herbal medical plant.

Other Herbal Alternatives for Fertility Benefits

People are always looking for herbal alternatives for safer benefits. From weight loss to improving fertility, medicinal herbs have always proved their worth.

Some of the popular herbs and plants for improving fertility include ashwagandha, ginseng, and fenugreek.

However, we have found 3 more out-of-the-box herbal alternatives that can benefit your reproductive health.

#1. Spirulina

Also known as blue-green-algae spirulina is an excellent way to support fertility and pregnancy. Its superior nutritional content is higher in proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

It also provides a nutritional punch of folate, betacarotene, chorophyll, and fatty acids. Adding to it, scientific evidence shows that spirulina can increase testosterone levels.

It is rich in Zinc, a deficiency of which can lead to testosterone decline and may give rise to fertility issues.

In a study, 2g spirulina supplementation showed a pregnancy rate of 5% in comparison to the control group.

Spirulina is a great source of antioxidants, contains 50-70% protein, and consuming it does not spike insulin levels making it easier for those with PCOS and diabetes to conceive.

#2. Moringa

Another superfood that has gained the attention of a lot of herbal medicine supporters is moringa.

Interestingly, moringa oleifera can improve egg production, decrease stress, increase energy, and reduce inflammation.

It is rich in antioxidants and makes an amazing addition to the fertility journey. The antioxidant properties decrease the oxidative damage and improve the production of sperm and damage sperm DNA.

While there is no direct link between moringa and testosterone, its nutrient-dense profile indirectly helps in improving testosterone levels.

As per the reports of Food Science and Nutrition, Moringa oleifera leaf can improve the rate of sperm abnormality It also includes phenols and flavonoids that can influence sexual functions and male reproductive system.

#3. Seaweed

If you are looking for a plant-based food that can help you improve fertility, don’t forget to include seaweed.

Sea vegetables are rarely part of the Western diet, but much to your surprise, seaweeds have 10-20 times more vitamins and minerals than land vegetables.

Seaweed is a magical food for pregnancy and fertility because it is loaded with iodine which is the building block for hormones. 

It contains vitamins A, B, C, and E, is rich in nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and zinc, and contains as much as 48% protein.

It is also found to contain nutrients that have a positive effect on reproductive hormones.

Seaweed can increase testosterone levels with its minerals and is also good for sperm quality. 

When trying to uplift fertility naturally, it’s best to go for herbs and plants. You can include matcha and not worry about fertility only if you consume it in the recommended dosage.

Conclusion

Matcha has seen a sudden upsurge in consumption after it received the support of celebs for its potential health benefits. 

While it faced harsh controversies about causing infertility, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same.

It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant effects that have beneficial effects on the body. In fact, when consumed in the recommended dosage, it can help with improving fertility.

All the side effects of matcha are associated with consuming increased dosage. Make sure to intake only 2-3 cups of matcha and incorporate it with a healthy living style.

It can surely help balance the nutrients and help achieve a healthy self.