Green Tea Extract

What it is

Green Tea Extract comes from the unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is rich in natural antioxidants called catechins, especially EGCG, which makes up more than half of its antioxidant content.

It provides a concentrated dose of green tea benefits to support your metabolic rate, energy expenditure, and overall cellular protection.

Also known as: Camellia sinensis, EGCG, Epigallocatechin Gallate

Key benefits

• Supports natural calorie burning and fat metabolism during rest and exercise.
• Protects body cells against everyday wear and tear on your cells through high-potency antioxidants.
• Helps maintain healthy post-meal blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
• Acts as a friendly prebiotic to feed good gut bacteria.

Amplified by probiotics

Green tea antioxidants and friendly gut bacteria work together in a helpful loop. Good bacteria in your gut break down green tea antioxidants into smaller, active parts that your body can absorb more easily. At the same time, green tea compounds nourish friendly probiotic strains like Bifidobacterium while crowding out unwanted gut bacteria. Micro-shielded probiotics also help protect your gut lining, reducing low-grade gut inflammation and improving nutrient absorption.

Typical dose

250–500 mg/day

The evidence

Comprehensive large reviews of many studies of well-controlled trials demonstrate that green tea extract made to a consistent strength of EGCG significantly increases energy expenditure, promotes modest fat loss, and improves waist circumference measures. Clinical evidence confirms its potent whole-body antioxidant effects and positive balancing of cardiometabolic markers. Research further highlights EGCG's capacity to favorably reshape human gut bacteria composition. (Hursel R 2009, Int J Obes (Lond)) (Jurgens TM 2012, Cochrane Database Syst Rev) (Chen IJ 2016, Clin Nutr)

1. Hursel R, et al. The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). 2009;33(9):956-961. PubMed ↗
2. Jurgens TM, et al. Green tea for weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;12(12):CD008650. PubMed ↗
3. Chen IJ, et al. Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(3):592-599. PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Green tea extract is safe at normal supplement amounts. Keep daily EGCG intake under 800 mg to protect liver health. Take with food, and speak to your doctor or pharmacist first if you are sensitive to caffeine or taking iron supplements.