Green Tea
Green tea (camellia sinensis) has been cultivated in China as far back as 2700 BC. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been used for headaches, body aches and pains, digestion, depression, immune enhancement, detoxification, as an energizer, and to prolong life.
It contains volatile oils, vitamins, minerals, and caffeine, and polyphenols. The polyphenol of interest is a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Polyphenols are believed to be responsible for most of its roles in promoting good health.
Benefits of Green Tea
Consumption of green tea beverage or extracts confers a wide range of possible health benefits:
- Antioxidant - Anti-aging
- Anti-Mutagenic
- Cancer Prevention
- Cancer Treatment Adjunct
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- Stroke Prevention
- Metabolic Effects & Weight Loss
- Glucose (Blood Sugar) Homeostasis
- Neuro-Protective
- Protective of Membrane Fluidity
- Anti-Bacterial
- Skin-Protective
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Dosage
A recommended dosage would be 300-400 mg of polyphenols daily.
One cup beverage contains about 50-100 mg of polyphenols, depending on the quantity and quality of tea leaves used.
Tablets and capsules containing standardized extracts of polyphenols, particularly EGCG, are available. Some provide up to 97% polyphenol content—which is equivalent to drinking 4 cups (1,000 ml) of tea. Some of these standardized products are decaffeinated.
Side Effects
Green tea is generally free of side effects. The most common adverse effects reported from consuming large amounts (several cups per day) are insomnia, anxiety, or other symptoms caused by the caffeine content in the herb.
An extract of green tea taken by healthy women with a meal inhibited the absorption of non-heme iron (the form of iron in plant foods). A high level of tea consumption could theoretically induce an iron deficiency in susceptible individuals.
Before consuming green tea extract or drinking large amounts of tea, consult with your physician if you take these medications: atropoine, cardec dm, codeine, ephedrine, limitil, theophylline, or warfarin. The absorption of alkaline medicines can be delayed by interaction with the tannin constituents of green tea.
Caution should be exercised in patients suffering from hyperactivity, renal dysfunction, susceptibility to myospasm, and anxiety disorders. This caution is based on the methylxanthine content of some extracts.
Pregnant women should not exceed a daily dose of 5 cups.
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To order green tea extract by phone, please call toll-free 877-347-8600.
