What Is Green Tea Extract For?

Green tea extract is derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The effects of green tea extract on health have been well-documented. Green tea contains catechins--plant antioxidants which fight free radicals that cause cell damage. The main green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is responsible for most of its health benefits. Research indicates that consuming green tea extract improves overall health.

Fat Oxidation

Researchers investigated the effects of the green tea catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on fat oxidation, which is the process of stored fat being broken down for energy. A study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" had subjects ingest one of the following after a meal: high EGCG (600 mg); low EGCG (300 mg); caffeine (200 mg); EGCG/caffeine (300 mg/200mg); or a placebo. Scientists found that low dosage of EGCG and EGCG/caffeine boosted fat oxidation levels.

Eye Health

According to the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," green tea extract has positive effects on eye health. Researchers distributed green tea catechins into subjects' eye tissues. Scientists reported that catechins significantly decreased 8-epi-isoprostane, a biomarker for eye inflammation.

Gastric Cancer

Besides improving eye health, research shows that green tea extract decreases the risk for gastric cancer. According to "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention," women with high blood levels of the catechin EGCG reduced their risk for gastric cancer. On the other hand, high levels of EGCG for men were linked to an increased risk for gastric cancer. Scientists suggest that cigarette smoking might have acted as an effect modifier, which may explain the results between the gender groups.

Quality of Sleep

L-theanine, a component of green tea extract, has been shown to improve sleep quality and boost mental focus. According to the Food Navigator website, subjects receiving 200 mg of L-theanine before bedtime exhibited less exhaustion and better quality of sleep compared to those ingesting a placebo. Moreover, L-theanine reduced the occurrence of nightmares.

Meat Preservative

Green tea benefits go beyond health. According to "Food Chemistry," researchers studied the results of using green tea extract to preserve meat. They reported that green tea extract was effective at inhibiting pathogens from spoiling meat for up to four days.