Those taking the green tea extract experienced significant weight loss, along with decreases in BMI, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels, compared with participants who were given a placebo It should be noted that the dosage of green tea extract used in this study is in the toxic range for daily catechin intake.

People taking high doses of green tea catechins should monitor their liver enzymes to avoid liver damage or acute liver failure 29 , While a cup of green tea contains 50— mg green tea catechins and 30—40 mg of caffeine, studies of green tea extract often contain mg or more of green tea catechins and up to mg of caffeine.

Those with sensitivity to caffeine or cardiovascular issues should consider this before taking green tea extract for weight loss. Green tea extract may aid weight loss by increasing the number of calories your body burns through a process called thermogenesis.

High doses of green tea extract are toxic and may lead to serious liver damage. The catechins in green tea extract may also help reduce inflammation caused by some liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD 31 , One study gave 80 participants ages 20—50 years with NAFLD either mg of green tea extract or a placebo daily for 90 days The group who received green tea extract showed significant reductions in liver enzyme levels, which is an indication of improved liver health Similarly, 17 patients with NAFLD took mL of green tea, which contained at least 1 gram of catechins, daily for 12 weeks.

They had significant decreases in liver fat content, inflammation, and oxidative stress Talk with a healthcare professional to determine the right dosage for you. Green tea extract seems to help improve liver function by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Specialized cells known as stem cells produce new cells to replace those that die. This process keeps cells active and healthy. When this balance is disrupted, cancer can occur.

The antioxidants in green tea extract, especially EGCG, seem to have favorable effects on the balance of cell production and death 33 , 34 , 35 , One small older study explored the effects of taking mg of green tea catechins per day for a year on men at risk of developing prostate cancer.

Green tea extract has been shown to help maintain cell health. It may even help prevent some types of cancer, though more research is needed. Whether taken as a supplement or applied to the skin, green tea extract has been shown to improve skin health A large review demonstrated that when applied to the skin, green tea extract can help treat a variety of skin concerns, such as dermatitis, rosacea, and warts.

As a supplement, it has been shown to help with skin aging and acne 38 , 39 , For example, a small study showed that consuming 1, mg of green tea extract daily for 4 weeks resulted in significant reductions in red skin bumps caused by acne Moreover, both supplements and the topical application of green tea extract seem to help prevent skin conditions like loss of skin elasticity, inflammation, premature aging, and cancer caused by exposure to UV rays 39 , A study involving 10 people revealed that applying a cream containing green tea extract to the skin for 60 days resulted in improved skin elasticity Additionally, a study showed that applying green tea extract to the skin reduced skin damage caused by sun exposure Interestingly enough, adding green tea extract to cosmetic products has been shown to benefit the skin by providing a moisturizing effect Antioxidants, like green tea catechins, can reduce cellular damage and delay muscle fatigue 44 , Additionally, 16 sprinters who took green tea extract for 4 weeks demonstrated increased protection against oxidative stress produced by repeated sprint bouts One study found that 14 men who actively engaged in physical activity and consumed green tea extract for 4 weeks increased their running distance by Green tea extract increases antioxidant protection against oxidative damage caused by exercise.

This translates to better exercise performance and recovery. The catechins in green tea, especially EGCG, have been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and regulate the production of blood sugar, both of which can lower blood sugar levels 49 , A study gave 14 people with no underlying health conditions a sugary substance and either 1.

The group that consumed green tea experienced better blood sugar tolerance after 30 minutes and continued to show better results compared with the placebo group Keep in mind that these studies 51 , 52 were very small and that the participants had no underlying health conditions.

Many people with diabetes, on the other hand, take medications that affect their liver, and many have NAFLD, so they would need to monitor their liver enzymes. An analysis of 17 studies concluded that green tea extract is useful in decreasing fasting blood sugar levels.

It can also help lower the hemoglobin A1C value, which is an indicator of blood sugar levels over the past 2—3 months Green tea extract has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and blood sugar tolerance, all while decreasing hemoglobin A1C and blood sugar levels.

Green tea extract is available in liquid, powder, and capsule forms. A wide selection can be found on Amazon. The liquid extract can be diluted in water, while the powder can be mixed into smoothies.

However, it has a strong taste. The recommended dosage of green tea extract is between — mg per day. This amount can be obtained from 3—5 cups of green tea, or about 1. Some supplements contain only dry green tea leaves, while others contain isolated forms of one or more catechins. Because supplements are not FDA regulated to ensure safety, purity, or verification of contents, you should only purchase supplements that have been analyzed by an independent lab to verify purity and content.

Both exceeding the recommended dose and taking it on an empty stomach may cause serious liver damage 30 , Green tea extract can be consumed in capsule, liquid, or powder form. The recommended dose is — mg, taken with food. It appears that a few cups a day may be beneficial," says McManus.

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Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? This article lists some potential health benefits and types of green tea, its nutrition content, and the potential side effects.

In countries with high green tea consumption, some cancer rates tend to be lower. However, human studies have not shown consistent evidence that drinking green tea reduces the overall risk of cancer. The topical application of green tea polyphenol extracts may have a role in protecting the skin from UVB radiation.

A review of in vitro, in vivo, and human studies demonstrated the potential benefits of tea polyphenols in the chemoprevention of UVB-induced skin cancer. A review suggests green tea catechins have some positive impacts on the following types of cancer:.

Overall, more research on humans is necessary to prove the benefit of green tea on the overall risk of cancer. A review suggests green tea and the catechin epigallocatechin gallate EGCG it contains may help people with obesity to reduce their body weight.

A further meta-analysis of several different tea polyphenols-induced weight loss mechanisms suggested that catechins and caffeine synergistically produced weight loss effects, as opposed to them being the result of caffeine alone.

However, the impact of drinking green tea on weight loss is unlikely to be of clinical importance. Most studies that have shown small changes in metabolism used green tea extracts with extremely high concentrations of catechins.

Learn more about green tea and weight loss. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties. Research highlights the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea. A analysis of tea extract use in cosmetics determined that solutions including tea extracts promoted anti-inflammatory responses when applied topically.

The authors also found that skin microcirculation improved in the affected areas. A review suggests green tea catechins have anti-inflammatory properties that target free radicals and protect heart health.

A study of 18, Japanese participants found no correlation between green tea consumption and death from heart disease , regardless of blood pressure levels. Another study associated green tea consumption with a lower risk of the following conditions:. Separate reviews from and also found that the polyphenols in green tea may lower blood pressure, decrease inflammation , and improve epithelial function, which can help reduce heart disease risk in people with excess weight or obesity.

A review concluded that green tea consumption can significantly lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in people with moderate weight, overweight, or obesity.

However, the authors highlight the need for more research, particularly longer studies with more diverse populations. According to the American Heart Association AHA , drinking large amounts of green tea without sugar may reduce the risk of stroke.

A review and meta-analysis supports this, associating moderate green tea consumption with a lower risk of stroke after evaluating five studies with , participants and 11, incidents of stroke.

Studies concerning the relationship between green tea and diabetes have been inconsistent. Some have suggested a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in people who drink green tea than in those who consume no tea.

One study of people with and without diabetes in China associates daily green tea consumption with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. It also associated daily green tea consumption with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in people with diabetes. A further review of dietary polyphenol studies also associated green tea, as part of the Mediterranean diet , with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, further research is necessary to fully determine the relationship between diabetes risk and green tea.

A study of adults in China associates regular green tea consumption with better cognitive function, particularly executive function and memory. Several smaller studies support this. A study suggests acute green tea extract supplementation improved working memory capacity in 10 women ages 50—63, although there was no significant effect for younger adults.

Similarly, another study examined the effect of green tea catechins on adults ages 50—69 in Japan. The authors suggest daily green tea supplementation may benefit working memory. According to a review , certain amino acids in green tea have an anti-stress element that helps to slow brain aging.

This may be due to the neuroprotective effects, including anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress, of certain catechins in green tea.

Green tea may also benefit other conditions. For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved a green tea extract ointment as a prescription treatment option for genital warts.

Several studies show that green tea may help with weight loss. But, green tea does not seem to make any changes to your levels of hunger and fullness hormones , which help regulate your appetite. Some studies show that green tea may lead to increased weight loss and lower fat accumulation in the abdominal area.

Green tea may have protective compounds against cancer and heart disease, which may help you live longer. Research from Japan found that those who drank five cups or more per day had a lower chance of death from all causes than those drinking one cup or less. Generally speaking, most people can enjoy green tea daily as part of an otherwise balanced eating plan.

While the evidence is mixed, studies seem to show health benefits with three to five cups 24 to 40 ounces consumed daily. Drinking green tea has many benefits. It is high in antioxidants, which may help prevent or remedy cellular damage and support your overall health. This includes reducing certain markers of inflammation which may decrease the risk of cognitive decline.

It may even have some properties that help protect against cancer and heart disease. It may be good for your health to drink cups of green tea a day. Keep in mind that most green tea contains caffeine, unless it has been decaffeinated, so drinking more than cups daily is not advised.

Some research-based evidence suggests drinking green tea can help reduce body fat, including in the abdomen.

However, more well-controlled human studies are needed to show a cause-and-effect relationship. You may want to consider making green tea a regular part of your lifestyle in a way that meets your personal health goals and taste preferences.

Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Green tea extract is a concentrated supplemental form of green tea.

Here are 10 science-based benefits of green tea extract. Drinking lemon and green tea together is a great way to get the health benefits of these two ingredients.

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea. It is very high in antioxidants and has numerous health benefits for your body and brain. Matcha comes from the same plant as green tea, but it contains more antioxidants and caffeine.

Here are 7 possible health benefits of matcha tea…. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food….

While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. Let's look deeper:. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Green Tea. Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Contains plant-based antioxidant compounds. May improve cognitive function.

Could help with fat burning. Might lower the risk of some cancers. May protect the brain from aging. Could help with oral health. May help with the managing blood sugar.

Explore our top resources. Might help prevent heart disease. May help you lose weight. Might help you live longer. Frequently asked questions. The bottom line. This compound is powerful—they discovered that EGCG may prevent amyloid buildup in arteries that causes heart attack and stroke.

But this study is only the newest development in a long history of established green tea benefits. The most widely acknowledged benefit of drinking green tea is the antioxidants. The particular antioxidants in green tea are called catechins. Green tea is also associated with lower cholesterol, another key factor in cardiovascular health.

A diet rich in antioxidants is an important part of cardiovascular health because oxidation contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries.

Reducing your LDL is at the forefront of heart health and preventing cardiac arrest or heart failure. Green tea is also lower in caffeine than coffee, but contains enough caffeine to create an awakened sensation. For many people, green tea could be a good alternative to coffee to help reduce excessive caffeine intake and the jittery feeling associated with coffee.

Switching out your afternoon cup of joe with green tea might make it easier to get to sleep later that night but still help you focus in the short term. Given the heart health benefits associated with green tea, the switch may be worth it for you. Green tea is definitely a great choice of drink for those who want to reduce their sugar intake from beverages like soda, or take a break from coffee.

The health effects associated with green tea are also contingent on a healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle choices in the long run. For a cardiovascular checkup, visit www. com to make an appointment or find out more!