'If you love matcha, I hate to be the bearer of bad news...'

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If you haven't noticed, matcha is everywhere right now. It's a bright green powder, made from finely ground green tea leaves, and it has taken the wellness world (and my social media feeds) by storm.

Originating from Japan, matcha dates back centuries, initially used in traditional tea ceremonies.

Over the years, however, it has exploded in popularity beyond Japan, becoming a staple in most cafés as well as health food stores in western societies. It has many supposed health benefits, such as improved focus, increased metabolism, and a whole heap of antioxidants.

Personally, matcha lattes have become my go-to caffeine drink of choice — mainly because it tastes sooo much better than traditional green tea AND it's way more Instagrammable (don't @ me, I know you photograph your matchas as well).

But just as quickly as it rose to fame, I stumbled upon a viral Instagram reel that had me questioning whether my matcha habit could be wreaking havoc on… my hair.

What happened?

In the reel, Holistic Beauty Expert Michelle Ranavat candidly shared her experience: "My hair started falling out because I drank too much matcha. Here's why."

(Cue my panic and frantic Googling.)

In her caption, Michelle revealed that matcha blocks iron absorption, leading to reduced iron levels, a known culprit in hair loss. After switching from coffee to matcha exclusively, she noticed her hair thinning.

I, unsurprisingly, wasn't the only one spiralling. The internet collectively lost its mind, with comments flooding in, ranging from "Absolutely untrue" to "Absolutely love this post." It was a classic case of social media panic and confusion, and it got me good.

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A post shared by Michelle Ranavat (@michelleranavat)

What the matcha girlies are saying.

The comments section of Michelle's reel is a compilation of people completely freaking out. Like me, it's such a specific sadness when you learn that something that brings you so much joy, might actually be bad for your health.

"Can I unsee this post? I dont wanna face this possible reality. I love my matcha"

"WHY DOES THE INTERNET HAVE TO RUIN EVERYTHING. 😭 Let us have something."

"Can a girl just be happy 😭"

"but matcha IS matcha.. AND I NEED MY DAILY MATCHA! 💔💔"

Instead of wondering if my beloved green drink was secretly sabotaging my strands, I decided to bite the bullet and dive deeper into whether there was any scientific backing to these concerns.

Is matcha actually linked to hair loss?

I reached out to two medical professionals for their insights. Dr. James Hook, a wellness and health professional at Neurogan Health, explained, "Nothing could be truer than saying that any food or drink consumed in excess can bring untold effects different than the ones intended. This is the case with matcha, no doubt."

He emphasised that matcha itself doesn't directly cause hair loss, especially when consumed in moderation. The real issue lies in tannins, a compound in matcha that can inhibit iron absorption.

"It's this iron that is responsible for the proper growth of hair, and its deficiency leads to hair loss," Dr. Hook notes.

Dr. Shamsa Kanwal, a board-certified dermatologist, further clarifies, "Matcha does not directly cause hair loss. It contains polyphenols and tannins that can reduce non-heme iron absorption when you drink it with meals or with iron tablets."

For those of us already low in iron, this inhibition can worsen deficiency and trigger telogen effluvium, a type of shedding hair loss.

So, while the viral reel may have sparked fear, the connection between matcha and hair loss isn't as straightforward as it seems.

Watch: 5 signs you're drinking too much coffee. Post continues below.

Some things to keep in mind.

If you're concerned about hair loss but still want to enjoy your matcha, both doctors offered valuable advice on how to balance it in your diet. Here are some key takeaways I found helpful:

Timing is everything: "Keep tea and coffee one to two hours away from meals and iron supplements," Dr. Kanwal advises. This ensures that the body can effectively absorb iron from food.

Pair with vitamin C: When taking iron supplements, you should combine them with a source of vitamin C to boost absorption. Think orange juice or strawberries.

Moderation is key: "Limit to one or two cups daily if you have a history of iron deficiency," Dr. Kanwal adds. Enjoying matcha in moderation can help mitigate any potential negative effects on your iron levels.

Monitor your health: If you notice shedding, you should ask your doctor for tests like ferritin, complete blood count, TSH, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Keeping an eye on your iron levels can help maintain a healthy mane.

Focus on a balanced diet: Ensure you're getting enough iron in your diet, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan.

While the viral reel may have sent me into a tailspin, the truth is that matcha, when consumed mindfully, doesn't have to be the enemy of my hair (thank goodness). It's all about balance and understanding my body's needs. So, if you're questioning your matcha habit like I was, remember: moderation is key.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Supplied.