Drinking Matcha Weekly Sent This Nurse to the Hospital

Washington D.C, September 16, 2025 - A woman's weekly matcha ritual spiraled into a severe health crisis, showing how even limited consumption can worsen anemia in people with existing iron deficiencies. Lynn Shazeen shared her experience on TikTok.

Matcha has been a cult favorite for many people who jumped on the trend when the drink suddenly gained popularity online last year.

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is whisked into water or milk, meaning you consume the entire leaf. This makes it richer in antioxidants, amino acids like L-theanine, and caffeine, giving it a unique balance of calm energy.

Lynn Shazeen, 28, started drinking matcha in May 2025 as part of what she called her “holistic, wellness glow-up journey.” She drank matcha lattes once or twice a week, believing she was making a healthy choice thanks to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.

But by July, she began experiencing troubling symptoms. “I had increased fatigue, itchiness, and I was frequently cold,” she recalled. “I’ve always been one to track my health stats in my health planner, so the minute I had an increase in those symptoms, I knew it was time for a follow-up.”

Blood tests revealed a significant drop in her iron levels, pushing her into severe anemia despite earlier rounds of iron infusions. “Despite rounds of iron infusions previously, I was prescribed iron pills with vitamin C to this date,” Shazeen explained.

She admitted she was surprised that even moderate matcha intake had caused such a drastic effect. “I had knowledge of the effects, hence my discipline to drink once or twice a week, but it turns out even that was a lot. I can’t imagine those who drink it every second of the day,” she shared.

WHO defines anemia as a state in which the number of red blood cells or their hemoglobin concentration is lower than normal, which compromises the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and results in symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Common causes include nutritional deficiencies (especially iron, vitamin B12, and folate), chronic disease, infections, and genetic disorders. ¹

Doctors explained that matcha contains polyphenols that bind to iron in the intestines, making it harder for the body to absorb. Drinking matcha close to mealtimes can intensify this effect. Experts recommend consuming matcha between meals and pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C to improve absorption.

After her July test results, Shazeen immediately cut matcha from her diet and switched to regular tea. She reports that her symptoms have eased. “My energy levels are picking back up and the itchiness subsided immensely,” she said.

She has turned her experience into a cautionary message: “Though matcha exacerbated my anemia, I would like to remind my anemic girlies that they can still enjoy matcha, as long as they do so with caution.”

Reference

1. World Health Organization. Anaemia Fact Sheet. February 10, 2025. Geneva: WHO. Accessed. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)