A woman is raising awareness about the potential side effects of drinking matcha, after the popular drink apparently landed her in hospital.
Enter any coffee shop and chances are you'll be confronted with numerous signs and promotional posters advertising matcha.
Originating in Japan, matcha is traditionally consumed hot, but has since been available in various forms of lattes and iced drinks as its popularity spread around the globe.
Add in concoctions such as strawberry or blueberry syrup and you've got one of the most popular drinks of 2025.
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However, the trendy drink may have hidden health issues, as one woman in the US found out.
Six months ago, Lynn Shazeen discovered the popular beverage and began sipping the green drink at least once a week, after learning about its anti-inflammatory benefits.
"I had been dealing with some inflammation so my doctor had suggested that I adjust my diet," the 28-year-old explained.
"Matcha, and green tea in general, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties so I decided to start drinking one once a week or so."
But after three months, she began to notice unusual symptoms, such as feeling cold and occasional heart palpitations.
Shazeen visited her local hospital after her symptoms got progressively worse, with a blood test revealing her iron levels had dropped from 23 to 13.
The Washington D.C. based nurse deduced the matcha was the cause for the change in her health, as it was the only change she'd made to her diet.
"It was the only change I had made to my diet and daily routine," she continued.
"Myself and my doctor worked through every possibility but it became clear that the matcha was the cause."
Can matcha cause iron deficiency?
While matcha does not directly cause anaemia, research has revealed a link between a biomolecules known as tannins and the body's ability to absorb iron (via Health).
According to the National Institutes of Health, green teas contain natural compounds called catechins, which make it harder to take in iron -a key concern for people already at risk of low iron.
Shazeen had previously been diagnosed with anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen, meaning she has previously low iron levels.
The nurse was later put on a detox IV and given iron supplements to boost her levels. She has since kicked her matcha habit, adding: "Since getting the IV, I’ve stopped drinking matcha and now only drink regular tea.
"I also take iron pills and vitamin C tablets to bring my levels back up."
Topics: Food And Drink, Health
Brenna Cooper