Matcha reduces sneezing from allergies by acting through the brain.
A study has shown that powdered matcha green tea reduces the frequency of sneezing in allergic rhinitis by acting as a neuromodulator and blocking the nerve signals that trigger this reflex. However, matcha does not eliminate the underlying cause of the allergy and does not affect immunity or gut microbiota.
Salus
Consuming powdered green tea matcha reduces the frequency of sneezing in cases of allergic rhinitis. Studies have shown that while the drink does not eliminate the underlying cause of allergies or affect the composition of gut microbiota, it acts as a neuromodulator. The active components in matcha block the activity of the brain’s nerve center responsible for the sneezing reflex.
How Matcha Works
Green tea is known for its ability to ease symptoms of hay fever, but the exact mechanism behind this effect remained unclear. Previous research mainly focused on how tea components influence the immune response and alter the composition of gut bacteria.
Animal Experiment
In an experiment with mice induced with allergic rhinitis, the animals were given matcha extract prepared at 65 °C for five weeks. Afterwards, the mice received either an allergen or histamine in their noses, and the number of sneezes was recorded over five minutes. Researchers also measured IgE antibody levels in the blood, analyzed the gut microbiome using DNA sequencing, and studied neuronal activity in the brain.
Study Results
Mice that received matcha sneezed significantly less often compared to the control group. However, the levels of allergic antibodies and the number of inflammatory cells in the nasal passages did not change. Analysis of the microbiome also showed no significant changes in the composition of gut bacteria that could affect immunity.
Impact on the Nervous System
The reduction in symptoms was linked to the functioning of the nervous system. The study found that matcha extract almost completely suppressed the production of the c-Fos protein in the caudal nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract (Sp5C)—the brain region that triggers sneezing.
Conclusions
Matcha does not eliminate the allergy itself, but it isolates its symptoms. The body continues to react to allergens by releasing histamine, but neurons do not transmit the signal that causes sneezing. It is believed that the neuromodulatory effect is associated with the presence of the amino acid L-theanine in matcha, which is known for its calming effect on the autonomic nervous system.