Green tea extract is a versatile all-natural supplement that is considered to be useful for addressing a wide variety of conditions, thanks to its caffeine and antioxidant content. Although green tea extract supplements are popular, you should research the supposed benefits of this ingredient before using it. In addition, you should consult a doctor before using green tea extract, or any other supplement, to investigate the potential for unwanted side effects.
Anti-Tumor Activity
Although there is no evidence that green tea extract is effective at eliminating cancer, research indicates that the supplement may have some benefits in addressing the disease. According to a study published in the February 2009 issue of "Proteomics," green tea extract alters proteins involved in the growth of tumor cells. In addition, the research indicates that green tea extract might help reduce the motility, or spreading, of tumor cells. This may help reduce the rate of a cancerous tumor's advance.
Increased Insulin Sensitivity
Some medical professionals believe green tea extract may contribute to obesity reduction because it has the potential to alter your insulin sensitivity. If you're not sensitive to insulin, a condition known as insulin sensitivity, your body may produce too much insulin when you eat, which may lead to diabetes and obesity. According to research from the March 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," supplementation of green tea extract may increase insulin sensitivity by up to 13 percent. However, your results may vary.
Increased Fat Burning
Another possible weight-loss benefit green tea offers is increased fat burning. Research from the March 2010 issue of "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports" indicates that green tea may alter the way your body burns calories during exercise. According to the research, during endurance exercise green tea encouraged participants' bodies to burn fat rather than protein or carbohydrates. While the effect was significant, the researchers do note that this phenomenon occurred in conjunction with exercise, so green tea extract may not promote this benefit in the absence of exercise.
References
- "Proteomics"; Effects of green tea extract on lung cancer A549 cells: proteomic identification of proteins associated with cell migration; QY Lu, et al.; February 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans; MC Venables, et al.; March 2008
- "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports"; Effect of endurance training supplemented with green tea extract on substrate metabolism during exercise in humans; T Ichinose, et al.; March 2010
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