Matcha Made in Heaven or a Hair Loss Horror?

Matcha this, matcha that. If the world needed a fresh coat of paint right now, we’d probably dip the brush in matcha green. From lattes and skincare to energy bars and mood-boosting reels, matcha is everywhere and for good reason. The finely ground green tea has a healthy amount of antioxidants that keeps your heart happy, internal stress calm, and even helps your body work more efficiently.

By now you obviously know that potency of matcha and with a generous spin added by the marketing genius, matcha has become a household brand in itself. But as the obsession grows, so do the questions. Afterall, every rose has its thorn and for matcha lovers it might be the hair strands you are unexpectedly sighting these days on your pillowcase.

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Hair loss. Yes, your beloved green elixir might not be as harmless as it looks! At least that's what a Los Angeles based skincare brand founder has claimed on her social media. In her recent video, Michelle Ranavat shared how she believes that drinking a lot of matcha has led to hair fall all while sipping on her iced matcha.

While many found the post "ruining their day" and matcha consumption on the internet, many agreed with Michelle over the signs that indicated an incoming stitch. For her, the signs were subtle but again who wouldn't be alarmed if they start to experience hair thinning and hair fall.

"I had no idea matcha blocks iron absorption in the body. Reduced iron can cause hair loss. I noticed my hair getting a little thinner the last month and I got my labs back showing low iron. The only thing I switched was my coffee to matcha exclusively." she captioned her video post and added further that perhaps the best way to avoid this would be to stop drinking matcha 1-2 hours before and after your meal. "I’m debating going back to coffee now - what should I do!?"

Is Matcha Really the Hidden Culprit Behind Your Hair Fall?

First off, let's get rid of the looming anxiety around having to quit drinking matcha altogether. You don't. But ultimately matcha contains caffeine so you don't want to get hooked on to it like you were in the past (or wouldn't blame you if are still) to coffee. It isn't the villain, you think it might be.

While matcha itself isn’t known to directly cause hair loss, here's something that might be leading to hair loss because you're drinking matcha a lot!

Matcha contains tannins alongside caffeine, compounds that can interfere with iron absorption, especially if consumed too close to meals. Iron is crucial for hair growth, and many people are already low in iron to begin with. so if your matcha habit is stacked on top of a plant-based or low-iron diet, it could quietly contribute to an imbalance.

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The caffeine content in matcha is also a factor. While lower than coffee, excessive caffeine intake can increase cortisol (the stress hormone), which has its own role in disrupting hair cycles. However, for most people, a cup of matcha a day is not harmful. It’s more about context: your diet, your nutrient levels, and your overall lifestyle.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, matcha may not be the root cause but it could be one part of the puzzle. Experts recommend simple changes like avoiding matcha around mealtimes (leave a 1–2 hour gap), pairing iron-rich meals with vitamin C for better absorption, and checking in with a healthcare provider for blood tests if hair fall persists.

So, really moderation is key. Matcha, when consumed mindfully, still offers plenty of benefits —from glowing skin to reduced inflammation. But as with all wellness trends, it’s worth looking beyond the hype and tuning into what your body might be trying to tell you.