He said during a trip to Manchester he found ‘every single woman and a lot of men’ enjoying the drink but it could have health consequences
A medical professional has sounded the alarm over a health drink trend that could be leaving people feeling shattered. In recent times, numerous food and beverage items have become viral sensations as social media personalities broadcast their opinions.
One of these is matcha, a traditional Japanese tea which is packed with antioxidants, especially catechins that combat inflammation. The beverage has seen millions of posts across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, with enthusiasts sharing preparation methods, reviews and creative recipes.
However, while the tea offers benefits to many, there’s a crucial consideration for drinkers. Dr Ahmed, an A&E physician who styles himself as the Gordon Ramsay of healthcare, revealed that during a recent visit to Manchester’s Arndale Centre, he observed “every single woman and a lot of men” sipping matcha tea.
Yet he cautioned this could be contributing to a health condition that leaves sufferers exhausted, short of breath, light-headed and experiencing an accelerated heartbeat as the body struggles to transport oxygen efficiently. The medical expert warned it could result in iron deficiency if not consumed appropriately.
He stated: “The Gen Z’s of TikTok, do you drink a lot of matcha? Are you all iron deficient? If so, shut up and listen.
“I’ve just been to Manchester, Arndale, and literally every single woman, and a lot of the men over there, were holding a cup of matcha, and I know that’s not their first nor their last cup of matcha of the day, 57% up to 65% of Gen Z and millennials are just taking matcha like a storm, like if matcha was oil, we’d be in trouble with the USA, but what does this have to do with iron deficiency?”.
He highlighted that the problem stems from matcha’s polyphenol content, explaining: “What that does is that prevents the absorption of non-heme iron, meaning it prevents the absorption of iron from non-meat sources like leafy vegetables, spinach, all that kind of stuff.
“And as we are going towards a more sustainable diet with less meat, more vegetables, vegetarian, vegan, this could be an issue. But all is not lost, because all you need to do to make sure that you’re getting enough iron, especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan, is to just wait 60 to 90 minutes before you have a meal.”
This timing allows proper iron absorption, he noted. The medical professional concluded: “So, no, I don’t want you to stop drinking your 35 cups of matcha a day, I just want you to space them out between what you eat, so that you don’t end up with me going like, I don’t know, I’m eating very well. Why am I iron-deficient?”
He then shared more details of the problem along with who needed to take note. Explaining the distinction between matcha and regular tea, he advised: “Because you consume the whole ground leaf, matcha is packed with catechins that block non-heme iron (the type found in plants and supplements) by up to 60-90%. That’s higher than standard green tea (~60%) and nearly matches the heavy binding power of black tea (~70-94%).”
However, he highlighted an important caveat for those whose iron intake comes primarily from animal sources. He noted: “This only applies to plant-based iron. If you get your iron from red meat, poultry, or fish (heme iron), matcha and coffee have virtually zero effect on your absorption.”
He continued with practical advice: “If you are plant-based or managing low iron, just wait 60 to 90 minutes after eating before grabbing your matcha, or pair your meals with Vitamin C to completely override the block.”
What is iron deficiency anaemia
According the the Mayo Clinic iron deficiency anaemia is a common type of anaemia. It advises: “Anaemia is a condition in which the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.
“Not getting enough iron can cause iron deficiency. So can losing blood from having periods or bleeding inside the body. Without iron, the body can’t make enough of the part of red blood cells that lets them carry oxygen, called haemoglobin. As a result, iron deficiency anaemia can cause tiredness and shortness of breath.”
At first, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that you don’t notice it. But as the amount of iron gets lower and the anemia gets worse, the symptoms get worse as well.
Symptoms to watch for
Iron deficiency anaemia symptoms may include:
- Extreme tiredness.
- Weakness.
- Pale skin.
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath.
- Headache or being dizzy or lightheaded.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Irritation or soreness of the tongue.
- Brittle nails
- Restless legs syndrome
It can also cause:
- Wanting to eat things that aren’t food, such as ice, dirt or clay
- Not wanting to eat, especially in infants and children
- Odd smell cravings, such as for rubber, detergents or cleaning agents