Botanical name(s):
Camellia sinensis. Family: Theaceae
Other name(s):
green tea, Chinese tea, green sencha tea, Japanese tea, Yame tea
General description
Green tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all made from the same plant but are prepared using different processing methods.
Green tea extract contains polyphenols. These include the most active type, epigallocatechin gallate. Green tea and oolong tea have the highest levels of polyphenols. This means they have the most health benefits. The fermentation and processing to make black tea decreases the polyphenols. It does this by converting them to theaflavins and thearubigins. All of the teas have catechins and tannins in different amounts.
Other significant parts of tea include caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. The polyphenols of green tea are strong antioxidants.
Tea is the second most popular drink in the world. People drink it for its flavor and stimulant effect.
Demonstrated uses
Studies suggest that the polyphenols in tea, especially green tea, may help reduce the risk of some cancers. Or it may slow the growth of certain types of cancers. Studies done in humans have shown mixed results.
Tea is used as a stimulant drink. The methylxanthines, specifically caffeine, increase alertness. It’s also a mild stimulant.
Green tea extract ointment has been shown to cure external genital and perianal warts. This product is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s available by prescription.
Claims
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]
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
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 focusing 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]