Green tea extract is a popular herbal supplement found in most grocery stores, pharmacies, and natural health or vitamin stores around the globe. Green tea extract contains antioxidant properties that offer a variety of benefits to health and wellness, prompted by its rich sources of polyphenols, also known as catechins, as well as flavonols, states A to Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness, an online magazine offering information regarding health, nutrition and fitness.
Lowers Cholesterol
Ingestion of green tea extract has shown promising abilities to lower the levels of bad, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as LDL, in the blood. LDL is the cholesterol that leads to clogged or blocked arteries, which may cause strokes or heart attacks. Studies have shown that the antioxidants found in green tea extract show promising results in not only lowering levels of bad cholesterol, but raising levels of good cholesterol, known as high density lipoprotein, or HDL, in the body, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Cancer Prevention
Green tea extract is also believed to help reduce chances of suffering from multiple forms of cancer such as colorectal, ovarian, breast and bladder cancer, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. The rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols found in green tea and green tea extract may help reduce risk, though further studies must be conducted to resolve the long-term efficacy of green tea extract in this area of study.
Weight Loss
Green tea extract has long been used by individuals seeking weight loss, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Green tea extract is believed to help increase the body's metabolism, or the rate at which it burns calories or fat due to its source of catechins, which are enzymes that burn fat that conduct a process called thermogenesis, according to website Body Building for You.
Improved Immune System Function
Green tea extract is also believed to help boost the immune system, according to Health Mad, a website dedicated to health and wellness topics in both traditional and complementary medicine. Green tea and green tea extract contains a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, states Stacey Colino writing for Cooking Light on CNN.com. This catechin offers a variety of antigen resistance benefits that may help protect the body from the cold, flu, and other viral and bacterial infections. Increased response of lymphocytes, vital for immune system protection, is believed to be triggered by ingestion of green tea extract or tea.
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