Sacred Tones Healing

Inflammation has become a hot topic in the health world over the past few years, and for good reason, as new research has revealed its role in a host of different diseases and health conditions. While it’s certainly not all bad (inflammation is, after all, what makes our immune systems work to fight off disease) it’s one of those situations in which “too much of a good thing” isn’t so good. 

A simple way to think about inflammation is the way you see it when you get a cut and the skin turns red, or when you sprain your ankle and the joint swells and aches. These symptoms are evidence of inflammation. The body senses the threats posed by these injuries and activates proteins meant to protect cells and tissues. This increases blood flow to the area, which is why you might see redness or feel warmth, and fluid sometimes enters the tissue, causing swelling. All of these factors help your body to repair the cut or sprain and protect against further injury or infection. These are healthy inflammatory reactions. But when the immune system overreacts, the inflammation can become a serious problem. 

When excessive inflammation occurs in the joints, damaging conditions like arthritis often occur, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty with fine movements. Plaque in the arteries can also cause inflammation, and in a very dangerous place: the inside walls of your blood vessels. The plaque attracts while blood cells, which allows blood clots to form, and this can trigger a heart attack. For the same reason, inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke as well. 

Recently, it’s also been found that neuroinflammation is a clear common denominator in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, suggesting that, based on what is already known about plaques in the brain leading to Alzheimers, a similar process occurs as that which causes heart disease. The same is true for autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and even common allergies. Various cancers have long been associated with damaged and inflamed tissue as well.

Fortunately, being proactive about preventing and reducing inflammation doesn’t have to involve scary surgeries or handfuls of pills each morning. In fact, a simple cup of matcha green tea has a lot to contribute to the efforts of anyone looking to nip chronic inflammation in the bud.

While not one of the most cited health-benefits of matcha, its anti-inflammatory properties are rather impressive. Matcha green tea contains compounds called polyphenols, including the extremely potent one known as EGCG. 

EGCG is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that, when ingested, can relieve flare-ups of inflammation-based conditions like those discussed above.

There is also a growing body of research that supports the idea that this compound can reduce other conditions caused by inflammation as well, including even serious ones such as heart disease and cancer.

In addition, as discussed in this blog post, matcha green tea can be a great weight loss aid, helping to stimulate the metabolism, provide a boost of energy, and substitute for sugary coffee drinks. Because being overweight or obese is a major cause of inflammation, adding matcha to a regime of exercise and a healthy diet can do a great deal to reduce it, and therefore helping to prevent the chronic illnesses that result from it. A reduction of inflammation also means less soreness in joints and muscles and after workouts, so exercise will likely become more appealing, setting in motion a cycle of positive, healthy habits. 

While it’s not a panacea, matcha green tea can serve as a wonderful complement to your health routine, helping you to keep your mind and body in top shape without loading up on medication, buying expensive supplements, or completely changing your lifestyle. 

See the difference a cup of matcha green tea a day can make to your life with Yang + Yin Health organic matcha, available for sale here.