Pharmacist warns matcha could actually have impact on women’s periods

The internet is crammed full of warnings, advice, and suggestions when it comes to our health.

And, if you have the habit of looking up your symptoms online, you'll know all too well exactly what it's like to be bombarded with a million contradicting recommendations, with the latest to be all to do with a pharmacist who has issued a warning that drinking matcha could have a negative impact on people's periods.

As we know, we've seen a boom in all things matcha this year, with both high-street and indie cafes alike pumping out bucketloads of the green elixir, which is essentially finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves.

So, you can imagine people's panic after the likes of TikTok pharmacist @syahfarmasi claimed that matcha's high caffeine content has the potential to disrupt your hormonal balance.

A pharmacist has issued a warning to matcha-lovers during their period (Iuliia Bondar / Getty Images)

According to Syah, each cup of matcha contains approximately 70 milligrams of caffeine.

"Excessive caffeine intake can interfere with the body's production of progesterone and estrogen," he continued, stating that this hormonal disruption could lead to a number of menstrual complications, including irregular periods, increased menstrual pain, mood swings and general menstrual instability."

He recommended that anyone experiencing irregular periods should hold off on matcha sipping for one to two weeks to see if it makes any changes to their cycle.

However, with that said, many other outlets have reported that there are actually many benefits to drinking matcha during your period.

What are the benefits of drinking matcha during your period?

Other health bodies and outlets have contradicted the pharmacist's advice (Carol Yepes / Getty Images)

Matcha.com claims: "With its unique combination of antioxidants, L-theanine, and gentle energy boost, matcha may help combat fatigue, reduce inflammation, and even stabilise your mood."

Meanwhile, menstrual cup brand Lunette adds that drinking matcha during your period can ease period cramps, boost antioxidants, offer pain relief, boost your energy and reduce mood swings.

And, according to Asako Miyashita, a Japanese Registered Dietitian Nutritionist of the State of New York (MS, RDN, CDN), matcha 'helps reduce cramping. It is good for your body, especially during menstruation'.

Ooika further notes that you shouldn't feel any negative side effects from drinking a standard amount of matcha, adding that the 'potentially troublesome' compound people worry about in tea is caffeine.

How does caffeine affect the body during your period?

The 'potentially troublesome' compound people worry about in matcha tea is caffeine (Iuliia Bondar / Getty Images)

As we know, caffeine stimulates your central nervous system and, when over-consumed, it could lead to disruption of sleep, feelings of anxiety and nervousness and mood swings.

And, when you're on your period, you're already prone to those symptoms, which could worsen due to caffeine. According to Flo, caffeine can also block a hormone, called adenosine, that can cause blood vessels to constrict, thereby slowing down blood flow.

But you'd apparently need to drink a whole load of matcha to feel any negative effects brought on by the caffeine, as the FDA explains that healthy adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (which works out as around four cups of coffee) without risk to their health.

One cup of matcha tea contains even less caffeine than a cup of coffee - around 25 to 70mg per cup compared to 70 to 140mg in a cup of coffee.

Additionally, caffeine in matcha doesn’t affect you the same way it does in coffee.

Now, that's not to say Syah is completely wrong, as too much of anything is not good for your body - a principle that applies to all kinds of food and drinks.

Tyla has reached out to another doctor to confirm or deny Syah's claims.