Green tea extract is the herbal by-product of the green tea leaf. Green tea is one of best plant sources of antioxidants, with the active ingredients of polyphenols, flavonols and epigallocathechin gallate (EGCG). By weight, green tea extract has 100 times the amount of antioxidant power compared to vitamins C and E. Green tea has been used for centuries as an anti-aging, anti-cancer and weight-control substance.
Cellular Protection and Glucose Regulation
Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals which damage cellular structures. The abundant supply of antioxidants in green tea acts as an immune booster to counteract the effects of aging and disease. Green tea extract has been proven to lower the "bad" (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood, while also preventing inflammation and protecting your joints. A 2004 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" and cited by the Life Extension Foundation, emphasized the effects of green tea extract as a quicker source of antioxidants compared to vitamins alone. The "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" also notes, in an article published in 2009, that green tea can assist in the proper regulation of glucose.
Cancer Prevention
According to the University of Tokyo, which conducted a study under Dr. Kuzushige Kawai, EGCG (a powerful component of green tea) inhibited HIV from binding to human T-cells. Green tea extract catechins also inhibit the growth of cancer cells by acting as a chemical barrier. A study published in 2004 in "Cancer Research" also found that EGCG binds to a key enzyme that impedes the manufacture of DNA in tumor cells. The effects of green tea extract are similar to the cancer drug Methotrexate, but with fewer side effects.
Weight Loss
Green tea extract has been shown to increase calorie burn by 4.5 percent, or roughly 70 to 140 calories per day. Without additional caloric restriction or exercise, green tea supplementation can account for an 11- to 18-lb. weight loss in a year. A 2004 article published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that green tea extract can increase the rate of energy expenditure in the human body, since the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea extract intensify the level of fat oxidation.
Extract vs. Tea
According to the American Cancer Society, green tea extract is a safe and effective method of antioxidant supplementation. Beneficial results can be seen with one to three capsules of green tea extract taken daily. A 2006 Japanese study also showed two capsules of the extract to be as beneficial as 20 cups of green tea. Green tea extract can be supplemented throughout the day in liquid, leaf or pill form.
Properties and Precautions
Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented, which makes its antioxidant properties more potent. Green tea extract contains a more concentrated form of antioxidants compared to the leaf itself. Although green tea extract has numerous benefits, the supplement also contains caffeine, a stimulant that has serious side effects if misused. HerbalMedicine.com notes that people who are allergic or susceptible to stimulants should avoid high doses of green tea extract. Green tea extract is also available in a decaffeinated form, and standardized extracts can be ingested with the same benefits as the caffeinated forms of green tea extract.
Member Comments