Green Tea Extract

Originating from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, has been consumed for centuries, primarily in Asian countries like China and Japan. In recent years, green tea's health-promoting properties have been the subject of numerous scientific studies, leading to the popularity of green tea extract supplements. These concentrated forms pack the beneficial compounds found in green tea into convenient capsules or powders. This article dives deep into the benefits of green tea extract supplements.

Key Compounds in Green Tea Extract

Catechins
These are a type of antioxidant. The most significant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits of green tea. What is interesting is that some research has shown that EGCG is an androgen competitor, and hence reduces free testosterone availability. Study below (Green tea polyphenol EGCG blunts androgen receptor function in prostate cancer).
Caffeine
Green tea extract contains caffeine, a stimulant known to boost mood, alertness, and metabolic rate.
L-theanine
An amino acid that promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness, often said to contribute to the calm, focused mindset associated with tea drinking.

Health Benefits of Supplements

Antioxidant Properties
The catechins in green tea are potent antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which can damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases.

Weight Management
Some studies have suggested that the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea can aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism and fat oxidation.

Brain Health
Green tea extract might have protective effects on the brain. Studies have shown that it can improve cognitive function and might reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Heart Health
Consuming green tea extract can benefit cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit heart health.

Reduced Cancer Risk
While research is still in the early stages, some studies suggest that green tea catechins, especially EGCG, can inhibit tumor growth and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Precautions and Side Effects

While green tea extract offers various health benefits, it's essential to approach it with caution:

Caffeine Sensitivity
Those sensitive to caffeine might experience symptoms like irritability, nervousness, or insomnia. Having said this, there drinking a cup of coffee or downing a latte has the equivalent if not more caffeine per milligram.

Interactions with Medications

Green tea extract might interact with certain medications, so always discuss with a doctor before starting supplementation.

Increases estradiol in Women

A 12 month study showed that women who had taken green tea extract (4 capsules of 1315mg tablet of green tea extract per day) has significantly higher blood estradiol and bioavailable estradiol. There was no impact on IGF-1.

Ongoing studies into prostate cancer

There are studies investigating the impact of green tea extract as a method of preventing prostate cancer. It has been postulated that the catechins can induce cell apoptosis (cell death), suppress progression, and inhibit invasion of metastasis of prostate cancer. There are studies that have compared green tea to black tea, and the overwhelming evidence is that green tea causes higher levels of polyphenols to circulate in the body than does black tea, hence the chemopreventative evidence for black tea is far weaker.

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