Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation.

Mizuho Shigeta, Wataru Aoi, Chiharu Morita, Kurumi Soga, Ryo Inoue, Yoichi Fukushima, Yukiko Kobayashi, Masashi Kuwahata

Journal: Nutrition journal 2023;22(1):32

PMID: 37403052

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Plain Language Summary

Skeletal muscles support physical activity and act as a major metabolic organ. Age-related muscle loss and decreased strength, referred to as sarcopenia, have been recognised as major risk factors and may necessitate nursing care in aged individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the daily consumption of matcha on resistance training-induced adaptation in humans. This study involved two randomised placebo-controlled trials. Thirty-six young and healthy men participated in this study. In both trials, participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: placebo or matcha and instructed to engage in resistance training. Results showed that matcha green tea consumption during resistance training modulates muscle adaptation. In addition, positive correlations were found between changes in muscle adaptation and microbiota. Authors conclude that further studies should examine the detailed mechanism of action of matcha and the significance of microbiota modulation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Resistance training adaptively increases muscle strength and mass, contributing to athletic performance and health promotion. Dietary intervention with natural foods provides nutrients that help accelerate muscle adaptation to training. Matcha green tea contains several bioactive factors such as antioxidants, amino acids, and dietary fibers; however, its effect on muscle adaptation is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of matcha beverage intake on muscle adaptation to resistance training.

METHODS

Healthy, untrained men were randomized into placebo and matcha groups. Participants consumed either a matcha beverage containing 1.5 g of matcha green tea powder or a placebo beverage twice a day and engaged in resistance training programs for 8 (trial 1) or 12 weeks (trial 2).

RESULTS

In trial 1, maximum leg strength after training tended to increase more in the matcha group than that in the placebo group. In the matcha group, subjective fatigue after exercise at 1 week of training was lower than that in the placebo group. Gut microbe analysis showed that the abundance of five genera changed after matcha intake. The change in Ruminococcus, Butyricimonas, and Oscillospira compositions positively correlated with the change in maximum strength. In trial 2, the change in skeletal muscle mass in response to training was larger in the matcha group. In addition, the salivary cortisol level was lower in the matcha group than that in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

Daily intake of matcha green tea beverages may help in muscle adaptation to training, with modulations in stress and fatigue responses and microbiota composition.

Address: Laboratory of Nutrition Science, Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, 1-5 Hangi-Cho Shimogamo, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8522, Japan.; Laboratory of Nutrition Science, Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, 1-5 Hangi-Cho Shimogamo, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8522, Japan. [email protected].; Laboratory of Animal Science, Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan.; Department of Health Science, Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Daito Bunka University, Saitama, Japan.

DOI: 10.1186/s12937-023-00859-4