Matcha has a very high concentration of the catechin EGCG, in fact Living Qi organic matcha was measured to have about 66mg per gram of matcha. When you combine the health benefits of EGCG with the high chlorophyll content of matcha and the natural fiber that occurs by ingesting the entire tea leaf, you have an amazing healing herb. ECGC has been researched extensively as a prevention against cancer. The role of EGCG in cancer prevention is very detailed biochemically, but I want to give you a brief idea of how EGCG inhibits carcinogenesis. The following is reprinted form Cancer Prevention Research:
EGCG interacts with and binds numerous proteins to prevent carcinogenesis. EGCG has been reported to directly bind with the plasma proteins fibronectin, fibrinogen and histidine-rich glycoprotein, Fas, laminin and the 67 kDa laminin receptor, vimentin ZAP-70, Fyn, insulin-line growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP-78; solid arrows). EGCG also indirectly targets a number of other oncogenic proteins including EGFR and the activator protein 1 (AP-1), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factors. The net result is the inhibition of carcinogenesis in a variety of tissues.(1)
1. Published Online May 26, 2009, Cancer Prev Res June 1, 2009 vol. 2 no. 6 514-517