| Green Tea Extract
Green tea has been used for over 5,000 years for pain, digestion, mood maintenance, immune enhancement, detoxification, energy enhancement, and anti-aging. Unlike black and oolong teas, green tea does not endure a fermentation process and thus retains a host of beneficial phytonutrients.
Specifically, green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenols – plant-derived antioxidant compounds linked to health benefits ranging from immune system support to cardiovascular health.
The primary polyphenols found in green tea include four catechins -- epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) being the most potent and extensively researched. As an antioxidant, EGCG ranks up there with ascorbate (vitamin C) and glutathione, and helps move carcinogens and invading bacteria out of the body!
EGCG – Supporting the Immune System & More
Since the 1970s, epidemiological studies have shown that in parts of the world where green tea is consumed, the incidence of solid tumor cancers -- such as breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancer -- is lower.
Cardiovascular, Nervous System & Bone Density Support
Green tea’s heart health benefits stem from its anti-inflammatory effect on cells, its ability to spur the production of nitric oxide, which acts to keep blood vessels relaxed and blood pumping efficiently.
Green tea has also shown promise with regard to neurological and brain health by scavenging free-radicals and supporting healthy neuron function.
In addition to its well-known heart health benefits, green tea’s flavonoids and phytoestrogens support bone mineral density. Green tea may also inhibit bone resorption (the breaking down of bones and release of bone minerals into the blood stream, altogether too common in aging).
Energy Efficiency and Calorie Burning Everyone seems to be interested in weight loss these days, so “thermogenic” agents -- which increase heat and speed up the metabolism – are getting more and more attention. In a 1999 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea was shown to support thermogenic activity of the body – including energy efficiency, exercise capacity, and fat burning potential, all beyond the levels that would be explained by its caffeine content.
Caffeine versus “Decaf”
It’s a common misunderstanding that “decaf” equals caffeine-free, which is not so. For those sensitive to caffeine, here’s what you should know about the caffeine content in Green Tea Extract and how it compares to other common beverages.
- Coffee (8 oz brewed) = 135mg
- Black tea (8 oz) = 40-70mg
- Green tea (8 oz) = 25-40mg
- Cola (1 can) = 35-55mg
- Co-op’s Green Tea Extract (1 capsule) = 7mg
- Decaf coffee (8 oz) = 5mg
- Decaf black tea (8 oz) = 4mg
The numbers show that our Green Tea Extract is in the range of “decaf” beverages, but still merits tracking for those sensitive to caffeine.
Meanwhile, green tea can come in various forms, including the whole leaves (used in beverages and some supplements) and in an extract form (with standardized percentages of stated active ingredients, such as polyphenol and catechin contents).
Notes:
- Avoid taking green tea with milk. Milk might bind the antioxidants in tea and reduce their benefits.
- Green Tea mouthwashes have been shown to inhibit the growth of cavity-related bacteria like Streptococuccus and E. coli.
- Green tea polyphenols have shown to suppress the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, but not the growth of gut-friendly bacteria like lactobacillus.
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