6 Amazing Benefits of Green Tea Extract

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

The use of green tea extract is widespread in the world and delivers a concentrated dose of the beneficial nutrients and active ingredients of green tea.

What is Green Tea Extract?

Green tea extract is a form of green tea, one that typically comes in a supplemental pill form, but provides many of the same great benefits as green tea as a beverage. However, green tea extract tends to be much more potent and is known as a fat-burning supplement. Packed with catechins like EGCGs, caffeine, and other volatile compounds, green tea extract is popular with bodybuilders and other active individuals who want an extra boost in their weight loss and metabolic goals. [1]

Green Tea Extract Benefits

There are a number of proven benefits to green tea extract, including its impact on your heart health, obesity, and diabetes, among others.

Skin Quality

A close-up shot of four bottles containing green tea extract

Green tea extract contains polyphenols. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

With an impressive concentration of catechins and polyphenolic compounds, this extract can help reduce free radical activity in the body and the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes. [2]

Antioxidants

Similarly, those antioxidants can help prevent chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, thus lowering your chances of heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. [3]

Anticancer Potential

Green tea extracts have been found to exert antiproliferative effects on prostate cancer cells because of the presence of polyphenols in it. A 2018 research on cancer patients also suggests that the presence of EGCGs in these extracts has helped inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis in the lung, breast, and colorectal cancer. [4] [5]

The journal Oncotarget has recently published a study focussing on the anticancer effects of green tea extracts on prostate cancer progression. Although it couldn’t provide a clear insight as of now, the researchers see potential in using these extracts and are trying to research more. [6]

Heart Health

There is a significant amount of research on the effects of green tea extracts on heart health. It is known to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure, both of which can prevent heart attacks and strokes. [7]

Weight Loss

Primarily used as a fat-loss stimulant, this extract can speed up the body’s metabolism and increase energy levels, making it a great workout supplement. It can help improve your passive fat-burning and make your workouts more efficient. [8]

Brain Booster

Antioxidants in this tea extract are also linked to preventing neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting the deposition of beta-amyloid plaque in neural pathways. [9]

Diabetes

Green tea and its active ingredients are known to regulate insulin and glucose levels in the body, which helps diabetics live a healthier and normal life, as per a study published in the Alternative Medicine Review in 2011. [10]

Improve Liver Condition

Green tea is a very popular beverage across the globe. It is believed to have favorable effects on the prevention and treatment of many diseases, one of which is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). According to a study in the International Journal Of Preventive Medicine, it is claimed that green tea extract can be used as a treatment to improve serum levels of liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.  [11]

People Also Ask

Does Green Tea Extract have Caffeine

Green tea extracts contain catechins, along with caffeine, that is very useful in the fat-burning process. The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (JOMFP) suggests that one cup of green tea contains about 50-100 mg caffeine. The caffeine content may vary depending on the brand of extract that you are using. You can easily find green tea extracts with low to high levels of caffeine in the market. [12]

How to add Green Tea Extract to your diet

Green tea extract is available in liquid, powder or capsule forms. The liquid form can be consumed by infusing it in the water. While making smoothies, you can also add the green tea powder to give an extra boost.

Dosage of Green Tea

Usually, the recommended intake of green tea extract is in between 250-500 mg a day. However, before adding this to your diet do consult a medical practitioner to avoid any potential health risks.

Green Tea Extract Side Effects

While there are many obvious benefits to this supplement, there are some side effects which you should be aware of, such as potential liver damage and other caffeine-related symptoms.

  • Liver Damage: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is an active ingredient found in green tea extract. While the moderate intake is good for body, any excess intake can speed up liver damage and compromise the health of your detoxifying organ.
  • Caffeine: Due to the high levels of caffiene one may experience side effects such as anxiety, nervous disorders, interrupted sleep patterns, and gastrointestinal distress.

Note: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take this supplement.

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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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