Green tea, a herbal beverage with a long history of use in a number of countries, has demonstrated the ability to help in a range of metabolic concerns. The drink can help to improve body composition as well as improve cardiovascular risk. More and more manufacturers now offer the product in tablet form.
Camelia Sinensis
All black, oolong and green tea consumed around the world comes from the Camelia sinensis plant. This shrub naturally contains an array of nutrients in its leaves, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll and catechins. However, the fermentation process that black and oolong tea undergo mean that they lose their catechin content, making green tea the best source of these useful plant compounds.
Catechins
Catechins stand out as the active component in many of green tea's effects on the body. As a result, supplement manufacturers tend to standardize their products for their content of these natural chemicals. EGCG, otherwise known as epigallocatechin-gallate, is the most potent of all the catechins and you may find some products list the content of this compound instead.
Fat Burning
The catechins found in green tea can increase the fat-burning process. Korean researchers looked into the effects of these compounds in human fat cells in 2009. They found that EGCG reduced the rate at which these cells store fat and increased the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase, an enzyme that can increase the breakdown of stored fat. Their results were published in the "Phytotherapy Research" journal.
Cardiovascular Health
The catechins offer a powerful anti-oxidant effect in the body, which can help reduce the oxidation of cholesterol. Dr. Joseph Mercola, a U.S. physician and the author of several books on alternative approaches to health care, notes how the consumption of the herbal beverage can enhance relaxation of the arteries. This effect reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Immune System Support
The antioxidant content of the catechins in green tea may help to improve immune system function and inhibit the development of chronic diseases such as cancer. A 1997 edition of "Preventative Medicine Journal" featured a study conducted in Japan. The researchers found a strong correlation between individuals who consumed a large amount of green tea and a reduced incidence of cancer.
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