The health benefits of matcha are akin to other forms of green tea, but there are some amplified effects due to consuming the entirety of the leaves rather than just the brewed liquor of the leaves. To start, the caffeine of matcha is at a much higher concentration than standard leaf green tea. The theanine levels are also higher. Theanine is the amino acid that gives drink, and matcha its de-stressing and calming abilities. Matcha also possesses the catechin epigallocatechin gallate. Studies have shown that this catechin has some possible minor cancer-preventing properties and can assist in weight loss.