Matcha drinks continue to challenge coffee’s dominance as the caffeinated beverage of choice. In the U.S., retail sales of matcha are up 86% from three years ago, according to market research firm NIQ. The drink’s increasing popularity, particularly among Gen Z consumers, has resulted in shortages and supply-chain issues.
But when a recent Instagram reel that went viral suggested consuming Matcha might be contributing to hair loss, panic ensued. “Can I unsee this post?” one wrote. “WHY DOES THE INTERNET HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING,” another protested.
Soon, others were sharing similar alleged experiences. “When you realise that the matcha you’ve been drinking every morning is the reason your hair is falling out,” one woman on TikTok wrote.
Can it be true? Has the bright green beverage we’ve been told helps alleviate stress, enhances our immune systems, and supports our health, been a secret saboteur all along?
Like most health-related posts online, the truth is more complicated than a viral TikTok would have you believe, and comes with a whole host of caveats.
The good news: No, your daily matcha habit is not going to directly cause hair loss. “The viral claims aren’t backed by any clinical research,” Dr. Divpreet Sacha at Her Holistic Health told Fast Company. “In fact, studies show the opposite—green tea and matcha may actually help with hair growth because of their antioxidants.”
Matcha might, however, affect iron levels, which may contribute to extra shedding.
“The confusion probably comes from the fact that green tea can reduce iron absorption if you drink it with meals,” Dr. Sacha continued. “But there’s no evidence this leads to hair loss. You’d need a serious, long-term iron deficiency for that to happen, which isn’t caused by normal matcha drinking.
Matcha contains tannins and other polyphenols, which can bind to iron in the digestive tract and reduce its absorption by the body. One woman even claimed her iron levels got so low from drinking matcha she ended up in hospital. “RIP to my matcha obsession era,” she wrote.
Sacha added, “People drinking 1-2 cups of matcha a day have nothing to worry about. If someone already has low iron, they should just avoid drinking it right before or after iron-rich meals, basic nutrition advice, not a hair loss warning.”
Matcha isn’t the only popular drink with tannins. They’re present in many common drinks, including red wine, coffee, and other types of tea. Hair loss also can be caused by a number of other culprits, including insufficient protein intake and other deficiencies.
Fear not, for those with a balanced diet and healthy iron levels: Your morning matcha is back on the menu.