Can You Drink Matcha at Night?

Last Updated on September 4, 2022 by Scott

If you’re a fan of green tea, you might wonder if you can drink matcha at night. 

You can drink matcha at night if you aren’t sensitive to caffeine. While matcha doesn’t have high levels of caffeine, drinking it before bed might affect your sleep. 

While matcha has several health benefits, it’s best to know whether it’s ok for you to drink it at night. This article will cover whether you should drink matcha at night, what to look out for, and what benefits you may receive. 

What to Take Into Consideration with Drinking Matcha at Night 

There’s nothing worse than drinking caffeine before bed, and discovering that it takes hours to fall asleep as a result. So, it’s no question you’d want to know if you can drink matcha at night. 

You can usually drink matcha at night if you fall into one of these categories:

• You aren’t sensitive to caffeine and can drink it later in the day without adverse side effects.

• You will have a late night and need some caffeine to help you get through.

• You usually enjoy tea or coffee at night and still get to sleep as usual.

• You work out in the evening and are looking for a boost ahead of time.

Matcha makes for a great evening drink if you’re studying for an exam or have a late night of work. The ingredients in matcha will help you focus more and help lower anxiety levels. 

If you have don’t have any issues with drinking caffeine at night, then matcha is an excellent substitute for other sources. Matcha has many health benefits, and you might sleep better after drinking it. 

In addition, if you’re drinking matcha at night, you’ll likely want to limit it to one cup (or bowl). However, early morning drinkers usually indulge in two cups/bowls without any jittery side effects. 

When is the Best Time to Drink Matcha?

The best time to drink matcha is in the morning when you have plenty of time for the caffeine to wear off. In general, you should have caffeinated beverages earlier in the day when there are several hours before you head to bed. 

However, everyone is different, and some people have no trouble drinking matcha at night and still getting a whole night’s sleep. In fact, one of my personal favorite times to enjoy a bowl of ceremonial matcha is between 2:00-3:00 pm in the afternoon. So your best bet is to experiment a little to see what the latest is your body can tolerate caffeine while still getting good sleep. 

Benefits of Drinking Matcha 

Matcha has high levels of L-theanine, which will help bring calmness and reduce anxiety. Therefore, if you can handle the caffeine, matcha makes a great before-bedtime beverage.

Additional benefits of matcha include:

• May improve your memory 

• High in antioxidants 

• It helps flush out toxins and protects the liver

• May boost your brain functioning 

• Ingredients linked to a reduction in cancer risks

• Has been shown to improve overall heart health 

• It can aid in weight loss as it speeds up metabolism 

• Contains stress-reducing effects 

While we can’t guarantee you’ll see all these benefits, there’s no question that matcha is an excellent choice if you’re trying to stay healthy. So, if you can’t handle the caffeine at night, adding matcha to your morning routine would be best. 

Finally, matcha has nearly zero calories, so if you’re looking to use it as a weight loss tool, ensure you aren’t adding excess amounts of cream or sugar. Instead, add low-fat or nut milk and make yourself a matcha tea latte. 

Caffeine in Matcha 

Matcha doesn’t have the same caffeine levels as coffee and will average between 38-176 mg of caffeine per serving.

For example, one gram of matcha is roughly the same as ¼ of a shot of espresso.

So unless you’re having way too many cups or bowls of matcha, you likely won’t feel intense effects from the caffeine. 

However, it’s always best to read your matcha container’s label to check for serving size, as you usually would add ½ or one teaspoon of the powder to your cup/bowl. 

Finally, matcha has more caffeine than your standard green tea, so if you’re used to a regular green tea, be prepared for more of a lift from matcha. 

Who Shouldn’t Drink Matcha?

The reality is matcha is a fantastic drink for nearly everyone unless you’re extremely sensitive to caffeine and must avoid it at all costs.

Adding matcha to your diet is an excellent idea and is a great substitute for coffee or regular tea. 

Since matcha is lower in caffeine than coffee, it’s an excellent alternative for someone who doesn’t enjoy coffee but wants a burst of energy. For example, matcha won’t give you the crash later in the day that some caffeinated beverages do. Instead, you’ll have a steady level of energy and attentiveness. 

Conclusion 

Matcha is an excellent substitute for coffee and other teas, but you should only drink it at night if you’re not sensitive to caffeine. Limiting all caffeine beverages to earlier in the day is best for those with caffeine sensitivity, so it doesn’t disturb your sleep cycle.