What is the caffeine content of Gyokuro? Explaining why it has so much caffeine and the recommended daily intake amount
Introduction
Gyokuro is a type of green tea. Most people have heard of it but have never tried it.
"Gyokuro" is a type of green tea and is known as the highest quality Japanese tea.
Gyokuro is characterized by its rich flavor and sweetness, as well as its mellow, creamy texture, but what is particularly noteworthy is its caffeine content.
Because it contains an overwhelmingly higher amount of caffeine than coffee and other types of tea, its popularity has grown in recent years as an energy drink with an increasing number of young men enjoying it.
This time, we will introduce the amount of caffeine contained in Gyokuro.
Amount of caffeine in Gyokuro
The amount of caffeine contained in Japanese tea and other beverages is as follows (per 100ml).
- Gyokuro: 160mg
- Matcha: 60mg
- Coffee: 60mg
- Hot cocoa: 35mg
- Black tea: 30 mg
- Oolong tea: 20mg
- Regular Sencha: 20mg
- Hojicha: 20mg
- Bancha tea: 10mg
- Genmaicha: 10mg
- Kamairi tea: 10mg
- Barley tea: 0mg
As mentioned above, Gyokuro has an overwhelming amount of caffeine among Japanese teas.
It contains about three times as much caffeine as coffee, which is what most people think of first when they think of caffeine.
Why Gyokuro Tea Has High Caffeine Content
The caffeine content in tea leaves decreases the longer they are exposed to sunlight.
On the other hand, Gyokuro is grown under cover, a method that blocks direct sunlight from hitting the tea leaves.
Since the young buds are picked while still containing a lot of caffeine, it has a higher caffeine content than other green teas.
The effects of caffeine in Gyokuro
Caffeine is a physiologically active substance that has various effects on our bodies. Its main functions can be broadly divided into three.
1. Improve concentration and recover from fatigue
Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.
This is expected to have the effect of activating the brain, such as clearing the mind (awakening effect), improving work efficiency (improving concentration), and recovering from fatigue. It is useful when you want to wake up from drowsiness or improve your concentration.
2. Maintaining athletic ability
Caffeine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, making the heart work harder.
It is believed that improving blood flow to the brain and entire body leads to sustained endurance and improved athletic ability.
In addition, fat decomposition and metabolism are further promoted, and a high fat burning effect can be expected.
3. Diuretic effect and relieves swelling
As many of you may know, caffeine has a diuretic effect, promoting the excretion of excess fluid and waste products from the body. It is also said to be effective in reducing swelling, which is a concern for women.
In addition to these effects, caffeine is known to have various physiological effects, such as activating skeletal muscles and promoting metabolism.
Because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, appropriate consumption can have many positive effects, such as increasing concentration and waking you up.
Gyokuro can be considered a traditional Japanese energy drink, perfect for when you want to increase your concentration and work efficiency or wake up.
On the other hand, excessive intake can cause symptoms such as insomnia, palpitations, headaches, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Not only that, consuming large amounts of caffeine in a short period of time can lead to acute symptoms of poisoning.
In fact, there have been several cases of people dying after consuming energy drinks in Japan, so you need to be careful.
Recommended daily intake of Gyokuro tea
In Japan, there is no clearly defined recommended daily intake of caffeine, but in other countries, the recommended intake for healthy adults is up to 400 mg per day.
100ml of Gyokuro contains 160mg of caffeine, which is higher than other green teas, so you should be careful about the amount you drink per day.
Generally, gyokuro is brewed stronger than sencha, so about two cups is a good guideline, but gyokuro is drunk differently than sencha.
Typically, you drink about 15 to 20 ml from a small bowl, so if you drink this way, it should be no problem to drink up to 10 cups a day.
However, the effect of caffeine varies depending on each individual's constitution and health condition. If you are pregnant or sensitive to caffeine, please consult your doctor before adjusting your intake.