Benefits of Green Tea Extract: A Guide (8 Proven Benefits)
Green tea, also known as Chinese Tea, has been a staple drink for centuries. It is one of the most excessively consumed beverages on the entire globe. Green tea has several benefits, and that is what makes it a magical potent in Chinese culture.
People have been consuming green tea for ages. Thousands of researchers have invested much of their time finding what makes green tea so effective. After enough research, the antioxidant profile, polyphenols, mostly catechins, and caffeine make it promising for human health.
Studies have also shown that green tea is very effective in treating hypertension and excessive fat deposition, which will also improve neural functioning.
Here's what you need to know about green tea extract and its promising health effects.
Green Tea Extract
So, what exactly is green tea extract?
Green tea extract is the concentrated form of essence extracted from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis. Black, green, and oolong tea are the other tea extracts from the same plant.
Other than extract, today you can also grab yourself green tea extract supplements such as Green Tea Extract supplements. These supplements hold the same beneficial properties as tea does.
Unlike the other attractions from plants such as oil, green tea extracts are generally more concentrated, thus representing more polyphenol content than any other. The most common polyphenol richly present in the extract is epigallocatechin gallate.
Epigallocatechin gallate has active energy-boosting potentials, making it an active energy drink ingredient.
Other active compounds present in green tea extracts include:
- Theobromine
- Theophylline
- Caffeine
All these polyphenols are proven to have anti-oxidizing capabilities.
Health Benefits of Green Tea Extracts
Since it was first discovered, several health benefits of green tea extract have been unveiled. The researchers still believe that Chinese tea has much potential to be unveiled.
Green Tea as an Energy Booster
Polyphenol antioxidant, Epigallocatechin gallate is the potent component behind the energy-boosting capability of green tea extract.
In addition, caffeine in green tea also adds a punch to the overall energizing effect. The presence of amino acid (L-theanine) works synergistically with caffeine, thus enhancing the overall working capacity. Various researchers have concluded that green tea extracts improve athletic performance and endurance.
Green Tea Cancer Preventing Potential
Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases. The cancer formation is primarily due to the oxidative damage caused by the free radicals within the blood. The increased oxidative stress causes cancer and impairs the immune system.
In research, groups that are active consumers of green tea extract or other forms of green tea show less cancer incidence than others who don't.
The polyphenols present in green tea extract render both anti-oxidant and anti-cancer capabilities. The catechins are active in controlling progressive cancer cell growth and preventing tumor cells from replicating.
In addition, catechins also relieve muscle fatigue, thus rendering an overall relieving effect.
Green tea extract has been able to treat the most prevalent cancers, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer.
In short, not just cancer healing potentials, green tea extracts make people less prone to cancer cell formation on active consumption.
Green Tea Improves Brain Functioning
If you are having a busy day or are thoroughly exhausted, green tea will be a miracle to boost your overall performance.
Catechin present in green tea works as a stimulant. It does so by preventing the release of adenosine, which works as a neurotransmitter inhibitor. By doing so, green tea extract boosts the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, thus improving brain function.
In addition to this, green tea also regulates mood and memory. L-theanine in green tea renders anti-anxiety effects by stimulating the release of GABA.
Accelerates Metabolism and Burns Fat
If you ask Google for something that would help you eliminate all the deposited fat, google will add “green tea good for fat consumption” to the top of the list.
The catechins can potentially accelerate the metabolic pathway of fat breakdown. In addition, it also boosts the release of catecholamines which are responsible for the release of fat in the blood. They also prevent the release of any inhibitor for catecholamines release.
In short, the intake of green tea extract in the form of tea or capsules prevents the release of LDL and increases the HDL level of blood, thus improving overall health.
Green Tea for Weight Loss
As stated above, the metabolically potent aspect of green tea makes it a very effective drink for weight loss. The catecholamines in green tea extract promote thermogenesis which converts the fat deposits into active energy, thus regulating weight. Researchers have stated that 300mg of green tea daily can help control body weight. This green tea dose will be compelling enough to eliminate fat in the visceral and abdominal regions. But it is best to take things in moderation as excessive consumption of everything will eventually lead to alarming consequences.
Green Tea Extract Benefits for Skin
Both taken as an extract or applied on the skin as dried green tea leaves mesh, green tea has many promising effects on the skin. The alkaloid polyphenols in green tea extract help restore skin pH, thus preventing dermal acne.
In addition, green tea is also promising in delaying skin aging and increasing skin elasticity.
Green Tea Improves Liver Functioning
NAFLD is associated chiefly with liver inflammation that results in impaired liver functioning. In addition to that, it also regulates enzyme liver levels, thus representing good liver health.
Thus, the intake of green tea protects the liver from inflammation and other oxidative damage.
Green Tea Improves Heart Health
Moderate consumption of green tea extract has been associated with reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The extract has been very promising in regulating blood cholesterol levels and free radicals in the bloodstream.
People who actively consume green tea show better blood cholesterol profiles as compared to the ones who do not consume green tea. EGCG in green tea extract effectively regulates HDL/LDL levels, thus improving overall cardiac health.
Green Tea Side Effects
It has been rightly said that even slight overconsumption of anything that might seem healthy now can have life-threatening consequences. Like its several benefits, green tea has its associated side effects too.
The side effects of green tea include:
- Jitters
- Increased heart palpitations
- Vaginal dryness
- Anxiety
- Liver damage
Reduces Iron absorption
As you know, iron absorption is very much necessary for the blood. But researchers have discovered that the EGCG in green tea prevents iron absorption, thus making you more prone to anemia.
Too Much Green Tea is Not Good for Pregnancy
Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers are often asked to avoid green tea consumption as it will interfere with the infant’s needs associated with the mother.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Even the withdrawal symptoms could be pretty overwhelming if you have decided to prevent green tea exploitation. You might experience prolonged headaches, irritability, or low productivity.
Therefore, if you are experiencing any side effects, you must reconsider green tea consumption. You can shift to a better and safer alternative for now to get the same effect.
Conditions to Avoid Green Tea
If you are anyone with the following criticality, you are strictly suggested to consume moderate doses of green tea extracts to prevent any life-threatening consequences.
- Anemia
- In case you are calcium deficit
- Impaired liver functioning
- Stomach ulcers and reflux diseases
- Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is green tea beneficial for the stomach?
Green tea has long been used for treating stomach issues such as stomach ulcers, vomiting, and other foodborne illnesses.
How long does green tea extract take to affect?
It may take 8-12 weeks (3 times a day) for the green tea to have its promising effect.
Is green tea extract safe?
It has been claimed that 800mg of green tea extract consumption is considered safe. However, if you have any condition stated above where you should avoid green tea consumption, then even a low dose could be deadly.
Conclusion
Green tea extract is one potent concentrated extract associated with anti-oxidizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and weight loss potentials. If taken in moderation, you can easily avoid all the side effects of excessive green tea consumption. The moderate dose of green tea is about 300-800 mg daily, which would go well for everybody.