When you think of the term “Green Tea,” exercise and body building probably aren’t the first images that spring to mind. But after learning about some of the improvements that can come from adding green tea extract to your regimen, you may have a different opinion. The health benefits of green tea extract are almost too numerous to list, and they extend well beyond the walls of the exercise room. Not only has green tea extract been shown to promote fat loss to give you a lean and ripped body, it has also been noted as an immune system booster, helping you fend off colds. Further, it can potentially reduce your risk of developing certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, and green tea extract has the ability to lower your cholesterol levels. Tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage worldwide. And, with good reason, tea is a calorie free beverage boosting with natural benefits. If you get bored with water, brew a cup of tea and toast to good health. Each of the four types of tea, green, black, white and oolong, are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The differences in color and taste among each kind of tea are due to differences in processing of the tea leaves. Both black and green tea has been researched for their health benefits, its green tea that is of most interest to scientists. This is because green tea contains significantly higher levels of naturally occurring powerful antioxidants called ‘flavenoids’. There are many different types of flavonoids in the plant kingdom; in green tea however, the main flavenoids are ‘catechins’ of which four are present in high concentrations.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – approximately 59% of the total of catechin content.
Epigallocatechin (EGC) – approximately 19% of total.
Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) – approximately 13% of total.
Epicatechin (EC) – approximately 6.4% of total.