Can matcha affect your hormones? A deep dive into its potential impacts

October 6, 2025 •

5 min read

Matcha has gained popularity as a coffee alternative, prized for its calming energy and high antioxidant content. However, with a growing interest in holistic health, many people wonder: Can matcha affect your hormones? Scientific research suggests that compounds in matcha, like EGCG and L-theanine, can have a supportive, though not curative, influence on various aspects of hormonal balance.

Quick Summary

Matcha may indirectly support hormonal health through its effects on stress, inflammation, and blood sugar. Key compounds like EGCG and L-theanine modulate cortisol, influence estrogen metabolism, and aid conditions like PCOS. Its impact is supportive and best viewed as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Key Points

Supports Stress Response: Matcha’s combination of L-theanine and caffeine promotes calm focus and a slower, sustained energy release, helping to manage cortisol spikes often associated with coffee.
Aids Hormonal Conditions like PCOS: The antioxidant EGCG in matcha may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and help regulate androgen levels, making it a beneficial supplement for women with PCOS.
Modulates Estrogen Levels: Matcha contains phytoestrogens that can help regulate estrogenic effects in the body, promoting balance rather than causing drastic changes.
Requires Caution with Thyroid Issues: While beneficial for inflammation, matcha contains goitrogens that can affect iodine absorption. Individuals with thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, should consume it in moderation and consult a doctor.
Impacts Hormone-Related Symptoms: By reducing inflammation and stabilizing energy, consistent matcha consumption may help alleviate symptoms like hormonal acne, mood swings, and fatigue.
Depends on Quality and Moderation: The concentration of beneficial compounds is highest in high-quality, ceremonial grade matcha. For hormonal support, moderation is key to avoid potential negative effects from excessive caffeine or goitrogen intake.

The Powerhouse Compounds: How Matcha Differs from Green Tea

Matcha is not simply regular green tea. Made from finely ground, shade-grown tea leaves, it contains a higher concentration of beneficial compounds because you consume the whole leaf. The two most significant compounds for hormonal health are EGCG and L-theanine.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG): A potent antioxidant catechin, EGCG is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its role in combating oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation can disrupt hormone signaling and overall endocrine function, so reducing it is a major benefit.
L-theanine: This unique amino acid promotes relaxation and calmness by increasing alpha brain waves. It works synergistically with matcha's caffeine, providing sustained, jitter-free energy and helping to prevent stress-induced hormonal spikes.

The Impact on Stress Hormones (Cortisol)

For many people, the most noticeable hormonal effect of matcha is on stress. Unlike the rapid caffeine absorption from coffee, which can lead to a cortisol spike and subsequent crash, the L-theanine in matcha provides a more gradual, sustained energy release. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can negatively impact sleep, mood, and overall hormonal rhythm. By promoting a calmer state and helping to regulate cortisol, matcha can provide more stable energy and better stress resilience. This is a crucial factor for maintaining overall hormonal harmony, as the body's stress response can influence the production of other hormones.

Matcha and Sex Hormones: Estrogen and Testosterone

Matcha's influence on sex hormones is a nuanced area, and research is ongoing. Studies on green tea extract, and by extension matcha, show some promising but subtle effects:

Estrogen: Matcha contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors. These phytoestrogens can act in a balancing manner, offering a mild boost where estrogen is low (such as during menopause) or competing for receptor sites to reduce the effect of excess estrogen (in cases of estrogen dominance). It does not drastically increase or decrease estrogen but rather supports the body's natural regulation. The liver plays a key role in processing excess estrogen, and matcha's antioxidants and chlorophyll support liver detoxification pathways.
Testosterone: In certain conditions, particularly PCOS, matcha's EGCG content has been studied for its potential to help regulate androgen levels. Some studies suggest green tea can inhibit the enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) that converts testosterone into its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which contributes to symptoms like hair loss and hirsutism in PCOS. Animal and extracted green tea studies have shown a decrease in testosterone levels, but more research is needed to confirm the effects of regular matcha consumption in humans.

How Matcha Impacts Specific Conditions

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a complex hormonal condition, and matcha can be a supportive dietary tool due to its effects on key contributing factors:

Insulin Resistance: A significant driver of PCOS, insulin resistance is where cells don't respond properly to insulin. Catechins in matcha, like EGCG, can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Inflammation: Chronic, low-grade inflammation is often associated with PCOS. Matcha's high antioxidant content helps combat this inflammation, which in turn can improve hormonal signaling.
Androgens: The anti-androgenic effects mentioned above may help manage excess androgens like testosterone, which cause irregular periods, acne, and abnormal hair growth in women with PCOS.

Thyroid Health

Matcha's effect on the thyroid is a balancing act, and it's essential to consider several factors:

Anti-inflammatory Effects: The antioxidants in matcha can help reduce inflammation, which is a key trigger in autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto's and Graves' disease.
Caffeine and Medication: Like all caffeinated beverages, matcha can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medications (like levothyroxine) if consumed too soon after taking them. Waiting at least 30-60 minutes is recommended.
Goitrogens: Green tea contains goitrogens, compounds that can inhibit iodine absorption. While the levels in moderate consumption (1-2 cups per day) are unlikely to be problematic for most people with sufficient iodine intake, those with hypothyroidism should be mindful of excessive consumption.

The Importance of High-Quality Matcha

The quality of your matcha can significantly impact its hormonal benefits. Ceremonial grade matcha, made from the youngest shade-grown leaves, contains higher concentrations of L-theanine and EGCG than culinary grades. Using high-quality matcha ensures you are getting the maximum benefit from these supportive compounds, which is crucial for influencing hormonal pathways and providing the calming, focused energy that people seek.

Comparison Table: Matcha vs. Coffee and Hormones


Feature	Matcha	Coffee
Energy Delivery	Slow, sustained release over 4-6 hours due to L-theanine.	Rapid spike and potential crash due to quick caffeine absorption.
Cortisol (Stress Hormone)	L-theanine can dampen cortisol stress response, promoting calmness.	Can cause a significant spike in cortisol, especially on an empty stomach.
Relaxation and Focus	L-theanine increases alpha brain waves for a state of calm alertness.	Can lead to jitteriness and anxiety in sensitive individuals.
Antioxidant Content	Extremely high concentration of catechins like EGCG, reducing inflammation.	Contains some antioxidants, but far less concentrated than matcha.
Hormonal Impact	Indirectly supportive via stress reduction, anti-inflammatory action, and metabolism support.	Potential for increased stress response from cortisol spikes, which can disrupt hormones.

Conclusion

While matcha is not a miracle cure for hormonal imbalances, it can act as a gentle, supportive dietary tool. Its combination of calming L-theanine, anti-inflammatory EGCG, and other nutrients offers a host of indirect benefits that support the endocrine system. By helping to manage stress levels, control inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and aid detoxification, matcha can contribute positively to overall hormonal health. However, consistency and moderation are key. For optimal hormonal support, integrating high-quality matcha into a balanced diet, alongside sufficient sleep and stress management, offers the most potential for a positive ripple effect. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes, especially if managing a specific health condition like PCOS or a thyroid disorder.

Sources

Natural Harmony Reproductive Health. “Matcha Tea Benefits for Hormones, Metabolism, and Overall Health.” Natural Harmony Reproductive Health, August 12, 2025.
Matcha.com. “Balancing Hormones Naturally: Matcha as a Source of Phytoestrogens.” Matcha.com Blog, March 13, 2025.
Matcha Memoir. “Matcha and Hormones: What the Research Says.” Matcha Memoir, August 1, 2025.
Eli Brecher Nutrition. “6 Benefits of Matcha for Hormone Health & Overall Wellbeing.” Eli Brecher Nutrition, June 29, 2025.
Matcha.com. “How Matcha Green Tea Works on Hormones, Endocrine Function, & Health.” Matcha.com Blog, April 1, 2025.
Women's Health Network. “Drink matcha green tea to supercharge your mornings.” Women's Health Network, April 20, 2025.
JENKI. “Matcha and Cortisol.” JENKI Journal.
Mind Ya Matcha. “Matcha Caffeine and Cortisol.” Mind Ya Matcha Blog, November 11, 2023.
Matcha.com. “3 Reasons Why Matcha Reduces Stress.” Matcha.com Blog, August 28, 2025.
Matcha.com. “Matcha Green Tea for Menopause Relief.” Matcha.com Blog, February 7, 2025.
Ma-yumi.com. “Matcha and female hormonal balance.” Ma-yumi Blog, April 9, 2025.
Matcha.com. “Does matcha increase estrogen in women?” Mo-Matcha Blog, December 22, 2024.
pcosweightloss.org. “Matcha Benefits For PCOS.” PCOS Weight Loss Blog, October 23, 2023.
irsa.clinic. “Matcha Tea's Effects on PCOS and Thyroid.” Irsa Clinic Blog, April 16, 2025.
Matcha.com. “Does Matcha Green Tea Affect Thyroid Function?” Matcha.com Blog, July 25, 2025.
NIH. “Effect of green tea leaf extract on male reproductive system.” PMC, 2016.
NIH. “Effect of green tea on metabolic and hormonal aspect of polycystic ovarian syndrome.” PMC, 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Matcha contains plant-based compounds called phytoestrogens, which can bind to estrogen receptors. They help modulate estrogenic activity, providing a balancing effect rather than causing a drastic increase or decrease in estrogen levels.

No, matcha is generally considered beneficial for PCOS. The EGCG in matcha can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, two key drivers of PCOS symptoms. Some research also suggests it may help regulate androgen levels.

Matcha contains compounds called goitrogens that can interfere with iodine absorption in large amounts. While moderate consumption (1-2 cups) is likely fine for most people, those with hypothyroidism should be cautious with excessive intake and ensure sufficient iodine in their diet.

Matcha's energy comes from a combination of caffeine and L-theanine. L-theanine slows the absorption of caffeine, providing a more sustained and gentle energy release over several hours without the sharp spike and crash associated with coffee.

Matcha may help manage some menopause symptoms. Its L-theanine content helps reduce stress and mood swings, while its antioxidant properties combat inflammation. The gentle energy boost can also fight fatigue associated with hormonal shifts.

Most sources recommend one to two cups per day for potential hormone benefits. More isn't always better, as excessive caffeine can interfere with sleep and hormone regulation. Start with a small amount and observe how your body responds.

Ceremonial grade matcha is higher quality and made from younger leaves, resulting in a higher concentration of beneficial compounds like L-theanine and EGCG. This makes it more potent for hormonal support compared to culinary grades.