‘Diuretic effect’ of your morning matcha explained after people noticed odd side effect of drinking it

Matcha has never been more popular. The bright green powder has made its way into our drinks, desserts, café menus, wellness routines and social media timelines.

But alongside its reported health and antioxidant benefits, some matcha drinkers are noticing a less glamorous side effect: more frequent trips to the loo.

“I wanna drink five matchas a day but I don’t wanna pee 100 times a day,” said a TikTok content creator in a viral video.

Another viral clip showed a woman in a nail salon. “POV: You drank a whole matcha before your nail appointment and you’re literally about to pee your pants and getting pee shivers but you have to wait for the lady to finish your toes.”

The videos tap into a question increasingly cropping up on social media: does drinking matcha really make you pee more often?

There may be some truth to the theory.

Matcha contains caffeine, which can have a mild diuretic effect, temporarily increasing urine production. For some drinkers, that can mean more trips to the loo. The effect varies from person to person and depends on factors such as caffeine intake, individual sensitivity and how accustomed someone is to consuming caffeine.

Matcha has had a surge in popularity (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Matcha generally contains more caffeine than regular green tea, although the amount varies depending on how it is prepared. It typically contains less caffeine per serving than a cup of brewed coffee, too, although stronger servings can narrow the gap.

Part of matcha’s appeal is its reputation for delivering a gentler, more sustained energy boost than coffee. It contains L-theanine, an amino acid naturally present in tea that, alongside caffeine, may help support attention and alertness. Some research suggests the combination may have benefits for focus, although the evidence is not conclusive. There is little evidence that L-theanine slows caffeine absorption or guarantees a smoother energy boost than coffee.

While there is little direct research into whether matcha specifically sends people rushing to the loo, studies on caffeine suggest the social media chatter isn't entirely unfounded. A 2005 trial involving healthy volunteers found that participants urinated more frequently on the first day after taking caffeine than those given a placebo, although the difference did not persist over the following two days. A later meta-analysis in 2015 also found that caffeine can have a modest diuretic effect. So, matcha may make some people pee more often, but the effect depends on the individual, their caffeine intake and how regularly they consume it.

So, if your daily green ritual seems to be sending you to the bathroom more often, what does that mean for your health?

Matcha has also become a fashion statement but is it sending people to the loo more often? (Getty Stock Image)

Matcha is sometimes touted as a natural detox drink, with its diuretic effect credited with helping the body flush out toxins. Although caffeine can temporarily increase urine production, there is little evidence that this gives matcha any special detoxifying powers.

The body already has its own waste-removal system: the liver processes substances, while the kidneys filter the blood and remove waste through urine. Producing more urine does not necessarily mean the body is detoxifying itself more effectively.

There is also no need to assume that every extra trip to the loo means you are becoming dehydrated. When consumed in moderation, matcha contributes to daily fluid intake, and the water it provides generally offsets much of caffeine’s mild diuretic effect.

For those of you who find yourself making increasingly frequent bathroom visits, the answer may simply be to pay attention to how much matcha you drink, reduce your intake if necessary and see how your body responds.