Green tea is one of the most commonly consumed types of tea in the world. However, have you ever heard of green tea extract? Like brewed green tea drinks, green tea extract is a great source of antioxidants and is very good for the body.
Green tea extract is a concentrated form in the form of capsules that contains the same amount of active ingredients as an average cup of green tea. This extract has been linked to various health benefits such as improving heart, liver and brain health to improving skin and reducing the risk of cancer.
What’s more, many studies have discovered the ability of green tea extract to aid weight loss. In fact, many weight loss products list green tea extract as a key ingredient. However, it is also important to know that green tea extract can be toxic if consumed in excess
Below, Herbal Medicine Indonesia team will provide a review of the benefits of green tea extract for body health, which is very interesting for you to know.
List of contents:
1. Rich in Antioxidants
The first benefit of green tea extract is its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress in the body by fighting cell damage caused by molecules called free radicals. This cell damage is associated with aging and some diseases.
Polyphenolic antioxidants called catechins make up the majority of the antioxidant content of green tea extract. Among the catechins in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most researched and is thought to provide the greatest health benefits.
Research has shown that green tea extract increases the body’s antioxidant capacity and protects against oxidative stress. This, in turn, can prevent related health problems.
2. Improve Heart Health
The second benefit of green tea extract is to help improve heart health. Oxidative stress causes increased fat buildup in the blood, which in turn increases inflammation in the arteries and causes high blood pressure.
The antioxidants in green tea extract can reduce inflammation and help reduce blood pressure. They can also inhibit fat absorption in cells, helping to reduce blood fat levels.
In one study, 56 people with obesity and high blood pressure consumed 379 mg of green tea extract daily for 3 months. It was found that they showed a significant reduction in blood pressure, compared to the placebo group.
3. Good for the Brain
The third benefit of green tea extract is that it is good for brain health. The antioxidants in green tea extract, especially EGCG, have been shown to protect brain cells from oxidative stress. This protection can help reduce brain damage that can lead to mental decline and brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Green tea extract can also reduce the action of heavy metals such as iron and copper, both of which can damage brain cells. This extract also helps memory by improving connections between different parts of the brain.
4. Lose Weight
The fourth benefit of green tea extract is to help the weight loss process. Green tea extract is rich in catechins, and contains a decent amount of caffeine. This combination of ingredients is responsible for the weight loss properties of green tea extract.
Both catechins and caffeine have been shown to aid weight loss by regulating hormones that can increase thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process in which the body burns calories to digest food and produce heat. Green tea has been shown to improve this process by making the body more effective at burning calories, which can lead to weight loss.
5. Good for skin health
The fifth benefit of green tea extract is that it is good for skin health. Whether consumed as a supplement or applied to the skin, green tea extract has been proven to improve skin health. Studies show that this ingredient can help reduce acne and help aging skin regain some of its lost glow.
In addition, supplements and topical application of green tea extract are also known to help prevent skin conditions such as loss of skin elasticity, inflammation, and cancer caused by exposure to UV rays.
6. Lower Blood Sugar Levels
The sixth benefit of green tea extract is to help lower blood sugar levels. The catechins in green tea, especially EGCG, have been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar production, both of which can lower blood sugar levels.
An analysis of 17 studies concluded that green tea extract is useful in lowering fasting blood sugar levels. It can also help lower hemoglobin A1C levels, which is an indicator of blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. However, if you suffer from diabetes, you should still consult a doctor before taking green tea extract supplements.
