7 Benefits of Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, a plant native to Asia.

Black tea is also made from the same plant, but is processed in a different way .

Green tea is a more natural, unprocessed form of the leaves which helps retain more of the nutrients from the plant.

Here are 7 Main Benefits of Green Tea Extract

1 – Assists Weight Loss & Burns Fat

Green tea contains a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG.

EGCG promotes heat production in your body (thermogenesis) and increases the rate at which your body can break down stored fat (fat oxidation).

In simpler terms, green tea increases your metabolism & stimulates fat burning helping your burn more calories.

Green tea also contains caffeine which also increases your metabolic rate, further increasing the fat burning benefits.

READ : The Power Of A Green Tea Diet For Weight Loss

2 – Carb Blocker

If you know that you are going to consume a large meal or over eat, you can limit the amount of carbs that your body takes in.

Taking a dose of green tea extract 15 minutes before a large meal will block some of the carbs that your body absorbs & stores as fat.

3 – Lowers Cholesterol & Blood Pressure

Green tea extract helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) by promoting the production of good cholesterol (HDL) which removes the plaque in the arteries & helps to keep them elastic.

Having lower levels of LDL reduces the risks of heart disease.

Also if you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, taking green tea extract will help to lower your blood pressure.

4 – Cancer Fighting Antioxidants

Green tea extract is well known for being packed with antioxidants.

One of these, EGCG, has shown that it can be beneficial in treating several cancers, including: breast, brain, prostate, cervical and bladder cancers.

The EGCG locks on to & kills cancer cells without effecting normal, healthy cells.

5 – Fights Infection, Influenza & SARS

Studies have shown that green tea has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can kill the flu virus and help prevent infection.

Green tea has also been shown to prevent SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) Corona virus replication.

6 – Reduces Inflamation & Benefits Arthritis

Green tea extract has also been shown to reduce pain and swelling in the joints of people suffering from arthritis – slowing the breakdown of cartilage.

7 – Green Tea Extract Slows the Aging Process

Some research has shown that the high levels of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), some of the most powerful antioxidants, help repair skin & increase elasticity.

The jury is still out as far as reducing wrinkles is concerned, but there are definitely benefits to be had here.

Possible Risks & Side Effects

– Women that are trying to conceive, or that are pregnant should not drink green tea or take green tea extract because it lowers folic acid levels.

– Green tea contains caffeine which can cause side effects like fast heart rate, dizziness, nausea etc If you react to caffeine, you should opt for a decaffeinated green tea extract.

READ : Is Tea Better than Coffee?

Should you take green tea extract?

There is no doubting the number of positive health benefits that the antioxidants in green tea extract can provide.

As with any health supplement, take it in moderation and at the advised dosage level.

If you react to caffeine, then opt for the decaffeinated version.

Green tea isn’t the latest and greatest supplement – it has been around for thousands of years, millions of people swear by the benefits of green tea extract.