Not really. The issue is how and when you drink it

Matcha needs a Netflix series, at this point. It has all the makings of a show that can hit Top 10: The stellar frothy green tea that rose to prominence as a wellness superfood, inspiring everything from matcha desserts and manicures to viral reels and endless experiments. Along the way, there were those who criticised it mercilessly too, asking, 'What's so good about it?' And now, we've reached the midseason finale: A flood of new reels claiming that daily matcha consumption is linked to hair shedding and thinning.

- BY LAKSHANA N. PALAT Assistant Features Editor

In a recent video, LA-based skincare brand founder Michelle Ranavat shared how she thinks her hair began falling out after she started drinking “too much matcha”. The caption to her video detailed this particular explanation. “Iron absorption!!! 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. The best way to avoid this is to stop drinking matcha one-two hours before and after your meal. I’m debating going back to coffee now — what should I do!?”

The comments reacted to the panic. “Can I unsee this post? I don’t want to face reality,” one noted. Another morosely added. “Why does the internet ruin everything, why can’t we have anything!”

Now wait a second. Is it true? Can this miracle drink actually be the reason behind hairfall, or, is there something more at play?

'IT SUPPORTS HEALTH'

From a scientific standpoint, matcha does not directly trigger hair loss, explains Ayesha Rehman, a clinical dietitian, bariatric and sports nutritionist. “On the contrary, the primary bioactive compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been studied for its ability to extend the anagen, or growth phase, of the hair cycle, reduce inflammation, and improve scalp microcirculation. These mechanisms suggest potential support for hair health rather than harm.”

Moreover, research echoes Rehman’s words. Matcha’s benefits for hair go beyond its wellness reputation. As an anti-inflammatory ingredient, it may help lower levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — the hormone most closely linked to pattern hair loss. DHT binds to hair follicles and gradually weakens them, leading to thinning and shedding.