While matcha has become a favourite for many, it comes with its own set of benefits and cautions. Celebrated for its energising properties and health perks, matcha is not completely risk-free. Overdoing it can lead to certain health issues. Recent research suggests that excessive matcha consumption can affect the heart and digestion. We spoke to Dr. Rahul Mehrotra, Chief - NIC & Clinical Cardiology, Artemis Hospitals, to understand more.

How Overconsumption of Matcha Can Impact Your Heart or Health?

Matcha contains caffeine, and consuming it in large amounts can increase heart rate, cause palpitations, raise blood pressure, or trigger anxiety in sensitive individuals. While L-theanine in matcha usually has calming effects, too much caffeine can overpower this balance.

Digestively, matcha is slightly acidic. Overconsumption can lead to stomach upset, acid reflux, or constipation, especially on an empty stomach. Additionally, matcha can interfere with iron absorption from plant-based foods, potentially raising the risk of iron deficiency over time if your diet isn’t balanced.

While matcha offers notable benefits such as improved metabolism and focus, taking too much may offset these advantages. The best approach is moderate consumption as part of a balanced diet.

Benefits of Moderate Matcha Consumption

• Sustained Energy Boost: Matcha provides a smooth, long-lasting energy lift without the jitters of coffee, thanks to the combination of caffeine and L-theanine. This helps maintain steady energy throughout the day.
• Rich in Antioxidants: Packed with catechins, matcha helps neutralise harmful free radicals, supports overall wellness, and can promote liver health.
• Enhanced Focus and Relaxation: L-theanine in matcha encourages calmness while enhancing concentration, making it an excellent drink for mental clarity.
• Boosts Metabolism: Regular matcha consumption may help improve metabolism and support fat burning, assisting with weight management when paired with a healthy lifestyle.
• Supports Heart Health: Drinking matcha regularly may aid in regulating blood sugar, reducing blood pressure, and lowering bad cholesterol, all of which contribute to heart health.

According to Dr. Rahul Mehrotra, enjoying matcha sensibly allows you to harness its benefits without risking adverse effects on your heart or digestion.

How Much Matcha Should You Consume?

• One to Two Cups Per Day: Most experts suggest limiting matcha to one or two cups daily.
• Caffeine Limit: Make sure your total caffeine intake—from matcha and other sources—does not exceed 400 milligrams per day.
• Pregnant Women: Expecting mothers should be careful with matcha and other caffeinated drinks to avoid potential complications.
• Caffeine Sensitivity: If you are sensitive to caffeine, it’s wise to reduce your matcha intake to prevent side effects like jitteriness or palpitations.
• Age and Health Considerations: Older adults or people with conditions such as high blood pressure should check with a doctor before increasing their matcha consumption.

Those with higher caffeine tolerance might handle more matcha without issues, while younger individuals or those with underlying conditions, such as liver problems or high blood pressure should approach it with extra caution.

MCT oil has become a popular supplement in the world of health and wellness, often praised for its ability to boost energy, support weight management, and improve brain function. Derived from medium-chain triglycerides, fats that are more easily digested and converted into energy than long-chain fats.

Whether you are an athlete, someone looking to support cognitive health, or simply exploring healthier fat options, understanding what MCT oil is, how to use it, and why it has gained so much attention can help you decide if it belongs in your daily routine.

What Is MCT Oil?Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is a processed oil typically derived from coconut or palm kernel oil, though small amounts of MCTs are also naturally present in foods like dairy. As the name suggests, MCT oil contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. Because these fatty acids are shorter than the long-chain fats found in many other foods, the body can digest and convert them into energy more quickly.

There are four main types of medium-chain fatty acids: lauric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. MCT oil is made up almost entirely of caprylic and capric acids, which are thought to be the most easily absorbed and metabolised by the body.

MCT oil is versatile and easy to add to your daily routine, but it’s best to start small to see how your body responds. Begin with 1 teaspoon a day and gradually increase to 1–2 tablespoons if tolerated. Here are some simple ways to use it:

• In your morning coffee or tea: Blend it in for a creamy texture and sustained energy.
• Smoothies and shakes: Add a spoonful for an extra boost of healthy fats.
• Salad dressings or sauces: Use it as a light base or mix with olive oil.
• Cooking: MCT oil has a low smoke point, so it’s best for drizzling over foods rather than frying or high-heat cooking.

Why Is MCT Oil Getting So Popular?

Additionally, studies suggest that MCT oil may support weight management, improve mental clarity, and even aid digestion. It is is easy to add to coffee, smoothies, or salad dressings which also makes it an attractive option for those seeking a simple way to incorporate healthy fats into their diet.

MCT Oil: Benefits

While MCT oil is not a magic fix, it can be a useful addition to a balanced diet when taken in moderation. Its potential benefits for energy, metabolism, and brain health make it popular among health enthusiasts, but it is important to consult a doctor before making it a regular part of your routine. Choosing high-quality MCT oil and using it wisely can help you enjoy its advantages without unwanted side effects.

Taking care of our brains should be a top health priority. After all, the brain controls nearly every function in our body. As we age, however, our brain function naturally declines, and the risk of dementia rises. Dementia is a term that covers memory loss and other cognitive difficulties that significantly affect daily life. Current data suggest that the number of dementia cases—now around 514,000 per year, could double by 2060, highlighting the urgent need for ways to protect the brain.

Research shows that lifestyle choices have a major impact on brain health. But did you know that certain diets can help lower your risk of Alzheimer’s? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Mediterranean Diet?

Mediterranean Diet Could Lower Alzheimer’s Risk by 35%

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While the Mediterranean diet as a whole was linked to reduced dementia risk, researchers highlighted a few key components that seem to have the most impact: fresh fruits, nuts, and sources of monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and avocados.

The study indicates that sticking to the Mediterranean diet over the long term may substantially lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, even for those with a genetic predisposition. This diet is packed with fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and lean proteins, found in foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, seafood, and olive oil. Incorporating more of these foods into your daily meals can be a simple way to support brain health.

How To Follow a Mediterranean Diet?Incorporating the Mediterranean diet into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to every meal, swapping refined grains for whole grains, and including nuts, seeds, and legumes as snacks or salad toppings. Use olive oil as your main cooking fat instead of butter or processed oils, and aim to include fish or seafood a few times a week.

ALSO READ: Never Eat Chia Seeds THIS Way: Doctor Warns Of Hidden Dangers

Red meat and sweets can be enjoyed occasionally, rather than daily. Beyond food, try to stay active through walking, yoga, or other forms of exercise, and make mealtimes a social experience whenever possible, sharing meals with family or friends to combine nutrition with connection and reduced stress.

For personalised guidance, consulting a registered dietitian can help you create a plan that fits your tastes and lifestyle.

Sugary drinks have always been a big part of the processed food industry. Drinks like sweet sodas and sweet milks are always on the shelf, making it easier for people to indulge in them. However, a new study has highlighted that they have been directly linked to colorectal cancer.

A new study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has revealed a concerning link between the sugar in popular drinks and advanced colorectal cancer. Researchers found that the common mix of glucose and fructose in these beverages might directly speed up the spread of the disease. This is a very important discovery, especially since these same sugary drinks are often recommended for cancer patients to help them with nutrition.

The study shows that what we eat plays a crucial part not just in whether we get cancer, but also in how the disease acts once it has developed.

Over the years studies have shown that things like processed foods can be linked to affecting our health, but could this study lead us to finding a better way to treat and preventing cancer?

How Sugar Makes Cancer More Dangerous

In their research, the scientists created lab models to test different types of sugar on cancer cells. They looked at glucose alone, fructose alone, and a mix of the two—the kind you find in many sodas and juices. What they discovered was surprising: only the glucose-fructose mix made the cancer cells much more active and able to move. This increased movement led to a faster spread of tumors, particularly to the liver, which is the most common place for this cancer to metastasize (spread).

The study also pinpointed the exact way this happens. The sugar mix turns on an enzyme in the body called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD). This enzyme then helps the cancer cells get more energy from sugar and also activates a pathway related to cholesterol. This cholesterol pathway is already known to be involved in cancer spreading throughout the body.

Can You Slow Down The Growth of Cancer?

The researchers made another promising finding. They showed that they could slow down the cancer's spread by blocking the SORD enzyme. This worked even when the cancer cells were exposed to sugary drinks. This discovery opens the door for new medicines that could be designed to target and stop this specific process.

The study also suggests a new use for drugs that are already on the market. Statins, which many people take to lower their cholesterol, work by blocking the same pathway that the SORD enzyme activates. This raises an exciting possibility: these common cholesterol drugs might be able to help doctors manage and treat colorectal cancer.

These findings build on earlier research from the same lab that showed even a small amount of sugary drinks can help tumors grow, and this happens even in people who aren't obese. Because of these results, the researchers are now suggesting that doctors and nutritionists should rethink their current advice about giving sugary drinks to cancer patients, especially those with advanced disease.