Matcha Slim: Side Effects? Benefits for Weight Loss? Review!

Looking for reliable information about Matcha Slim, the tea often suggested for weight loss and increased energy?

Is it safe? Does it actually help with weight loss?

I conducted my investigation, attempting to trace back to the most credible sources of information.

Enjoy the read 🙂 ! Feel free to drop a comment for any questions or sharing of experiences.

Take home message: Matcha Slim is probably not harmful to your health. However, it is highly likely that it does not aid in weight or fat loss.

Last update: October 2023
Disclaimer: Affiliate links. Complete disclosure in legal notices.
Written by Nelly Darbois, physical therapist and scientific writer

Summary

In what form does Matcha Slim exist?

Matcha Slim is most commonly found in the form of green powder sold in a sachet resembling a tea bag.

It needs to be mixed with hot water (1 teaspoon per 150 milliliters of water).

It is presented as a dietary supplement.

It is not a medication: it does not have marketing authorization in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, or any other country.

On some websites, you can also find it in the form of capsules, but in this case, the composition is slightly different from that in the powdered form.

For example: Matcha Slim Capsules – Japanese Green Tea

1 capsule = Matcha Tea [Camellia Sinensis] [Leaf], Green Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis) (Leaf)], Caffeine; Gelatin; Rice Flour; Vegetable Magnesium Stearate; Silica

There is also “Slimy matcha”.

What is the official Matcha Slim website?

There is no official Matcha Slim website.

When you search for “official Matcha Slim website” in your search engine, numerous different sites appear (This varies depending on the country you are in; there will be other sites for the United States, Canada, etc.):

matcha-slim.fr
matchaslim-shop.com
and probably others that will pop up over time!

These sites are not very transparent about the individual or entity behind the site. You will struggle to find legal notices and other information that should normally be on a website.

Several sites also pay Google to appear at the top of Google results for the keyword Matcha Slim. However, these are sites that often sell other products as well.

Is Matcha Slim effective for weight loss or fat reduction?

On some websites, you can read that there is no need to monitor your diet and physical activity to lose weight when taking Matcha Slim.

This promise is in complete contradiction with what we know about how the human body works and the need to address overall dietary habits and physical activity to lose weight.

However, you might be thinking, “okay, that might be a bit exaggerated, but maybe it can still help me lose 1 or 2 kg” without any effort?

To determine whether Matcha Slim can be effective or not, you need to know its composition.

Here is its composition:

What do we know about these substances in terms of fat or weight loss?

That’s what I’ll detail now.

I’ll focus on the four main ones (maltodextrin, fructose, taurine, matcha leaf extract) because the others are in almost negligible amounts. Indeed, a Matcha Slim sachet contains 100g, and already contains 94g of these four main ingredients.

So, there’s less than 4 grams of xanthan gum, citric acid, spirulina, natural flavor, marshmallow root, sucralose, etc.

Maltodextrin and weight loss

Maltodextrin is commonly used as a food additive.

It’s rapidly absorbed by the body and can lead to spikes in blood sugar.

Studies have not shown that maltodextrin promotes weight loss.

Worse, the only study that evaluated its effect on weight loss also associated its intake with a diet reducing food consumption by 500 kcal per day for 3 months. But the people taking maltodextrin didn’t lose more weight than those taking a placebo.

Here’s what the research team concluded:

“Inulin and resistant maltodextrin supplementation did not result in additional weight loss during a calorie-restricted diet.”
Hess 2020

Fructose and weight loss

Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits and honey.

Fructose in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, used in many processed products, is associated with weight gain.

Studies show that excessive consumption of fructose, especially in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, is linked to obesity!

There’s therefore no reason to believe that the fructose in Matcha Slim would burn fat or promote weight loss.

Taurine and weight loss

Taurine is a natural amino acid found in various foods, especially meat and fish.

There are slightly more studies on its effects on weight loss than the other substances mentioned so far.

For animal studies have shown that insulin resistance and overweight are associated with a reduction in serum taurine levels. In simpler terms, some overweight individuals have lower taurine levels in their blood than non-overweight individuals.

However, in studies aimed at evaluating the effect of taurine on weight loss:

A dietary intervention was also conducted (or an increase in physical activity), so that each person consumed 30% less energy per day.
The few studies show an effect on the difference in substance composition in the blood but not on weight loss!

Conclusion: Current knowledge suggests that taurine does not help with weight loss or “fat burning.”

Source: Haidari 2020

Matcha tea and weight loss

Now, what about the 3g of matcha tea leaves contained in Matcha Slim?

First, be aware that the quantity of matcha tea leaves you consume is almost non-existent, as it’s about 0.1 gram if a 100-gram sachet of Matcha Slim lasts you for a month with one intake per day.

Now, what do we know about matcha tea leaf extract?

Matcha tea is a type of green tea ground into powder.

Efforts have been made for a while to see if consuming green tea can lead to more weight loss when combined with a diet or an increase in physical activity.

Here’s what a research team concluded in 2012:

Participants in the green tea group lost an average of 0.2 to 3.5 kg more than those in the control group over a period of 12 weeks. In most studies, the weight loss was not statistically significant. These results do not apply to cups of green tea, typically prepared by steeping a tea bag in hot water.

All trials used preparations of green tea that involved extraction procedures that yielded concentrations of active ingredients (catechins and caffeine) that were greater than that produced in a traditional cup of green tea.
Cochrane 2012

The team concluded that in most studies:

The difference was not significant = chance could explain it, not the tea.
The quantities consumed were larger than those found in commercial products.

What do research teams focusing on Matcha tea say?

There is only one specific study on the subject, a non-replicated pilot study (= to test the methodology, without any conclusive results), including only 40 participants (El Elimat 2022). The participants consumed Matcha tea once a day and simultaneously followed an intervention to reduce their calorie consumption or increase calorie expenditure.

It is therefore reasonable to think that, unfortunately, Matcha tea does not help with weight loss.

Conclusion: Is it reasonable to believe that Matcha Slim helps with fat or weight loss?

On some websites, you can read things like “Matcha Slim works by boosting metabolism and promoting fat burning.”

This doesn’t mean much.

Weight loss always depends on the balance between calories consumed and calories expended. The physiological mechanisms triggered by the substances we consume do not allow for weight loss without making other adjustments to your diet or physical activity level.

Moreover, there is no evidence that Matcha Slim significantly activates metabolism.

Conclusion: It is highly likely that Matcha Slim has no benefit for weight or fat loss.

Another point: while many dietary supplements are evaluated in clinical studies, as of October 2023, this is not the case for Matcha Slim. That’s why I went molecule by molecule.

Is Matcha Slim dangerous? Side effects and contraindications

To determine if Matcha Slim can be dangerous or not, we first need to know its composition.

Good thing we just saw it 🙂.

Even though there are not many studies conducted on people taking these substances, it is reasonable to believe that there are no severe and frequent side effects associated with the consumption of these substances by people without particular health issues. Because these events are not mentioned in the studies.

Here are the conclusions of a research team that looked into the dangers associated with the consumption of weight loss supplements (all supplements combined):

Weight management supplements containing caffeine, green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, choline, glucomannan, capsaicinoids, and capsinoids are generally safe when taken according to instructions.
Mah 2022

Are there still contraindications when you have certain illnesses or treatments? (Beyond the risks of allergies, which exist for any substance.)

Side Effects and Contraindications of Maltodextrin

Side effects of maltodextrin are generally rare.

Some sensitive individuals may experience gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, flatulence, or diarrhea due to its high carbohydrate content.

There are no major contraindications for maltodextrin. However, people with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels when consuming products containing maltodextrin, as it can influence blood glucose.

Side Effects and Contraindications of Fructose

Excessive consumption of fructose can cause digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

Excessive fructose intake is associated with weight gain and metabolic issues (although probably not in the amounts included in Matcha Slim).

People with certain rare metabolic conditions, such as hereditary fructose metabolism disorder, should avoid fructose. Individuals with diabetes may also experience negative effects from excessive fructose consumption.

Side Effects and Contraindications of Taurine

Taurine is generally well-tolerated, but rare side effects may include headaches and sleep disturbances.

There are no major contraindications for taurine, but it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Side Effects and Contraindications of Matcha Tea Leaf Extract

Matcha tea leaf extract is a source of caffeine, and excessive consumption can lead to side effects such as nervousness, insomnia, palpitations, or stomach discomfort. Again, this is probably not the case with the small proportions contained in Matcha tea (unless consumed in very large quantities).

How Many Times a Day to Take Matcha Slim? + Dosage

Websites marketing or promoting Matcha Slim recommend taking it once a day, three times a day, or even up to six times a day!

Mixing one teaspoon with 150 ml of water.

In practice, regardless of how many times you take it, the (likely non-existent) effectiveness will not be increased. However, there probably won’t be any associated risks with consumption due to the small quantity contained in each sachet.

Where to Find Medical Advice on Matcha Slim?

If I wrote this article, it’s precisely because it is very difficult (if not impossible) to find a serious and well-argued medical opinion on Matcha Slim, at least not within the first search engine results.

Some websites like vulgaris-medical.com do publish articles on Matcha Slim. While the name of this site may seem serious at first glance, it is not actually run by healthcare professionals.

A retired general practitioner is mentioned on the “about” page, but there is no last name provided. It is reasonable to doubt the person’s real existence.

matcha slim medical review — What This Site Says About Matcha Slim! Of course, there are no sources regarding these “multiple scientific studies.”

If you want a medical opinion on Matcha Slim, in my opinion, it’s best to ask your primary care physician. They also know your personal situation, your medical history, and can provide a more personalized and rigorous response.

Can you find reviews about Matcha Slim on forums?

Yes, you can find reviews on Amazon, on social media with the hashtag #matchaslim, on forums, in comments on blogs like mine…

The problem with reviews, in my opinion, is that you will find just as many negative ones as positive ones. It’s difficult to sort through them, to know which ones come from real people or not.

It’s also challenging to determine what else people have done in parallel with taking Matcha Slim.

matcha slim amazon — The most commonly used keywords to describe Matcha Slim by people who have left comments on Amazon FR. Keep in mind that it is common for brands to pay people to leave positive reviews. Some even hire health web content writers for this purpose!

Is Matcha Slim sold in pharmacies or drugstores?

To the best of my knowledge, Matcha Slim is not sold in traditional pharmacies / drugstore.

You can find similar products based on green tea extract in many physical stores or online. Matcha Slim is also available on Amazon FR.

Is Matcha Slim a scam?

My goal with this article is not to conclude that Matcha Slim is a scam. I believe it’s up to each individual to form their own opinion on this matter.

I can share my opinion and how I arrive at it:

I observe that the websites selling Matcha Slim make very significant claims about its effectiveness.
When I analyze their claims, they do not align with our current knowledge. However, Matcha Slim does not seem to be harmful for people without specific health issues.
I would not recommend anyone to take Matcha Slim, and I would not consider trying it myself if I were looking to lose weight.

Do you have any comments or questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments section! You can also click on the heart icon in the bottom right corner if you found this article helpful and want to easily revisit it.

Matcha Slim: Side Effects ? Medical & PT Review (Investigation)

In what form does Matcha Slim exist?

What is the official Matcha Slim website?