Fatigue is something most of us experience at some point - maybe from stress, disrupted sleep, nutrient deficiencies, or simply taking on too much for too long. But chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) is different. It’s not just feeling tired. It’s a debilitating condition where the body struggles with energy production on a cellular level, affecting every aspect of life from cognitive function to stamina and mood. There is no single cause or treatment that can make managing CFS frustrating. Still, some gentle lifestyle changes and tools may be supportive and helpful - including matcha green tea.
Matcha isn’t a cure for chronic fatigue, but it may offer a balanced, sustainable form of energy that’s calming rather than jarring. Many people say that matcha helps them think clearer, improves their mood, and gives them a steadier focus - without the anxiety or jitters that coffee and energy drinks can trigger. For those navigating the kind of fatigue that feels deep and unshakeable, even minor improvements can make a meaningful difference.
Read on to find out how matcha may help with chronic fatigue.
What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated and frustrating disease. To be diagnosed with CFS, fatigue must be severe, persistent for at least six months, and not fully improved by rest. One of the hallmark symptoms is post-exertional malaise (PEM), where even small physical or mental exertion can lead to feeling exhausted.
We don’t know what causes CFS, but experts think it’s likely a combination of factors such as genetics, infections, immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and emotional or physical trauma.
Common symptoms include:
- Extreme exhaustion after minimal activity
- Difficulty with memory, focus, and problem-solving
- Muscle or joint pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feeling unrefreshed after sleep
Because the underlying drivers are different for each person, any supportive tool has to be gentle, not something that forces the body beyond its limits.
Why matcha is great for energy
Unlike coffee or energy drinks, which give you a fast surge of energy but then are often followed by a crash or anxiety/jitters, matcha offers a smoother, more sustained energy. Matcha contains caffeine, but it’s balanced by L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes a calm focus. It also contains catechins, a type of antioxidant shown to support cellular health. This unique combination of compounds is what makes matcha so magical. It can help people feel calm, focused, and energized without feeling overstimulated. For those with CFS, whose nervous systems are often hypersensitive, this gentler energy source may be easier to tolerate.
One suggested cause of chronic fatigue is oxidative stress, which damages cells and reduces their ability to efficiently produce energy. Matcha is rich in antioxidants that may help counter this stress. In one study, researchers found that green tea extract reduced fatigue and improved energy metabolism in mice. While animal research doesn’t directly translate to humans, it is a promising study that supports the idea that matcha may support energy production.
What the research says
Research suggests that matcha may offer support for both mental clarity and cellular health. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine has been shown to help improve attention, memory, and cognitive performance.
Matcha is also rich in catechins, like EGCG, which function as antioxidants. Studies show that the antioxidants found in green tea and matcha can help reduce oxidative stress – a factor that may contribute to the development of CFS.
However, matcha shouldn’t be thought of as a cure for chronic fatigue, but more as an ally.
Bottom line
Matcha offers gentle, sustainable energy that doesn’t send the nervous system into overdrive. For people living with chronic fatigue syndrome, drinking matcha may help improve day-to-day focus, memory, mood, and cognitive clarity. It’s not a cure, but when used thoughtfully and alongside other tools, matcha may be a helpful part of an overall care approach.
Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes.
Resources:
Singal A, Kaur S, Tirkey N, Chopra K. Green tea extract and catechin ameliorate chronic fatigue-induced oxidative stress in mice. J Med Food. 2005 Spring;8(1):47-52. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.47. PMID: 15857209.
Sokary S, Al-Asmakh M, Zakaria Z, Bawadi H. The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies. Curr Res Food Sci. 2022 Nov 23;6:100396. doi: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.015. PMID: 36582446; PMCID: PMC9792400.
Teng YS, Wu D. Anti-Fatigue Effect of Green Tea Polyphenols (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG). Pharmacogn Mag. 2017 Apr-Jun;13(50):326-331. doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.204546. Epub 2017 Apr 18. PMID: 28539729; PMCID: PMC5421434.
Sivanesan, I., Gopal, J., Muthu, M., Chun, S., & Oh, J.-W. (2021). Retrospecting the Antioxidant Activity of Japanese Matcha Green Tea–Lack of Enthusiasm? Applied Sciences, 11(11), 5087. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115087
Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kobayashi M, Kaneko T, Takihara T. Effects of Daily Matcha and Caffeine Intake on Mild Acute Psychological Stress-Related Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021 May 17;13(5):1700. doi: 10.3390/nu13051700. PMID: 34067795; PMCID: PMC8156288.
