Winter not over yet in your neck of the woods? Warm up with this delicious Coconut Milk Matcha Latte! Wondering if green tea is safe for people with kidney disease? Find out why we think green tea is a CAN DO for kidney health!

Green tea and kidney health

Green, black, and oolong tea all come from the plant Camellia Sinensis. How the plants are grown and processed is what makes them different. Despite the growing conditions or processing, all teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols. These are naturally occurring chemicals in plants protecting them from harm. In our bodies, polyphenols play a similar role protecting our cells from the damage caused by free radicals and inflammation.

Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes chronic inflammation, targeting this is one of our top priorities at the KidneyRD. A plant-based diet rich in antioxidants and fiber is a key strategy and green tea may be helpful in these efforts.

Green tea and matcha tea, how are they different?

Matcha is so unique and special because the camellia sinensis leaves are shade grown. The lack of sunlight increases the amount of chlorophyll, caffeine, and antioxidants. It also yields a slightly sweeter flavor. After harvesting, the leaves are quickly preserved and ground into a fine powder.

Matcha tea has been used for centuries as part of a Japanese ceremonial tea ritual and dates all the way back to the Tsang Dynasty. It’s becoming increasingly popular here in the US and you’ll likely find a matcha tea latte at your local coffee shop. Be aware that some of these lattes come with a whole lot of added sugar. The Starbucks 16 ounce matcha tea latte, for example, contains a whopping 32 grams of sugar! (That is equal to 8 teaspoons!)

Preparing matcha tea is an art which uses special tea utensils. If you don’t own these tools, don’t be intimated! It’s easy to prepare using any bowl or whisk found in your kitchen!

Considerations for green tea and kidney health

Green tea is considered to be safe in moderation for people with kidney disease. It may also be beneficial due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it’s important to be aware that green tea contains Vitamin K and may interfere with the blood thinner coumadin. Matcha tea contains about as much caffeine as an 8 ounce cup of coffee. Keep this in mind if you are limiting caffeine. Loose leaf green tea is lower in caffeine but varies in content by brand.

Wondering what other strategies we use to support kidney health?

To find out more about how we use the power of nutrition to preserve kidney function, consider joining our monthly class. If you prefer a one-to-one setting, you can schedule a consult with one of our expert Renal Dietitians.

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KidneyRD Verdict

I’m a big fan of loose leaf green tea, but matcha tea was a new experience for me. Now that I’ve tried it, I’ll definitely be making this more often! I loved the creamy texture combined with the slightly bitter yet slightly sweet taste of the matcha. I tried this recipe once with canned coconut milk and once with my favorite almond milk, both ways were delicious! It’s easy to customize the sweetness to your taste. If you need a sweet little pick me up with some health benefits, try this matcha latte today and let us know in the comments what you think!

_{ALL information you read on KidneyRD.com is purely for informational and educational purposes. Information is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.}