A woman has issued an urgent health warning from her hospital bed, claiming her daily consumption of matcha green tea led to a severe iron deficiency requiring intravenous fluids.
From Hospital Bed to Viral Warning
Laura Mae shared her experience in a TikTok video that has since gone viral, amassing more than 10 million views. In the footage, recorded from her hospital bed while hooked up to a drip, she explained that her matcha habit was the 'likely' cause of a host of debilitating symptoms.
'When you realise the matcha you have been drinking every morning is likely the reason your hair is falling out,' she wrote in a caption accompanying the video.
The Hidden Dangers of a 'Superfood'
Laura Mae detailed how the popular drink was negatively impacting her health. 'Matcha can block your body's natural iron absorption, which can increase hair loss, brittle nails, and fatigue,' she stated.
As a sufferer of Crohn's Disease, a condition that already complicates nutrient absorption, she had previously attributed her symptoms to her illness. However, she described the moment everything 'clicked' after considering her matcha consumption.
'Once I realised my daily matcha was making iron absorption even harder, it all clicked,' Laura Mae revealed in a follow-up video. 'Swapping my morning drink was the best change I’ve made.'
Expert Advice on Matcha and Iron
Laura's personal experience is backed by health experts. According to Verywell Health, matcha contains tannins and other compounds that can block iron absorption.
The organisation explains online: 'Matcha is a type of powdered green tea well known for its high antioxidant content... [Tannins are] a type of polyphenol that can bind iron in the digestive tract, making it harder for the body to absorb.'
They further caution that because matcha is more concentrated than regular green tea, it contains more of these iron-blocking polyphenols.
Meanwhile, Matcha.com advises those concerned about their iron levels to avoid drinking matcha within an hour of an iron-rich meal or supplements. The site states: 'The main healthful compounds found in matcha tea will bind to iron and cause both to lose their ability to be as readily absorbed.'
Since leaving hospital and changing her routine, Laura Mae reported a significant improvement. 'Not every 'healthy habit' is healthy for everybody,' she told her followers. 'Once I swapped it out, I noticed the difference in my energy and mood almost immediately.'
