Green Tea Extract

A Guide for Buyers

It will not be a mistake to say that the average modern day person leads an unhealthy lifestyle. We eat large amounts of foods and most of the foods we consume are unhealthy. We exercise very little. In addition, we experience a lot of stress. All these aspects of out life can cause serious medical problem. One of the best ways to prevent such disease and to stay healthy and fit is to use natural supplements. Green tea extract is one of the most popular and most effective supplements that you can use.

When people speak of green tea, they refer to it as a plant. Indeed, the final product is made from the dried leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. However, black tea is also made from the same plant, but with the use of different method for drying. So why is green tea so special? Scientists believe that the method used for its making allows for the preservation of more beneficial chemical compounds in greater quantities.

Green tea extract is made from the already dried leaves of Camellia sinensis using a chemical infusion method. The solutions produced though this method is dried, so that the solid pills you find in the stores can be made. Given all this, it is worth asking why using extract is better than preparing and drinking the actual herbal beverage. The simplest answer is because it is more concentrated. On average, one green tea extract dosage contains the amount of beneficial chemical compounds present in 5 cups of the drink. Furthermore, once the beverage is ready, the quantities of these compounds begin to diminish, as they react with different molecules. This does not happen with the pills.

You should definitely have an idea of what to look for when buying such supplements. It is best to buy a standardized green tea extract with 90% or 80% polyphenols, the beneficial antioxidants in the herb. The amount of the most effective compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has to be over 55%. It is best to buy a product from a reliable company, specializing in the production of food supplements. This is important since there have been cases of manufacturers do not abide by the safety standards.

You already know how to buy green tea extract. It is also worth finding out why you should get it and use it. Most people know that this herb has health benefits, but they are not aware of the actual ways in which it can help them. This supplement can help you lose weight and keep it within healthy limits. The above mentioned antioxidant EGCG has been found to stimulate metabolism and to promote the burning of fat. Generally, this and the other catechins in green tea aid the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as well and this also aids weight loss.

Green tea extract has a lot of other health benefits as well. It is known to naturally energize the body. The herb contains a substance called L-theanine. It affects indirectly the production of serotonin (popularly known as the hormone of happiness) in the brain. In this respect, this herb is effective for relaxation as well as for stress, anxiety and depression relief. Green tea is beneficial for the cardiovascular system also. It prevents the blood vessels from hardening and reduces the cholesterol in them.

The antioxidants in green tea fight the free radicals in the body. These are known to cause aging and the formation of tumors. Hence, this herb has beneficial anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Apart from protecting all the organs in the body, including your skin, it can reduce your risk of cancer significantly.

You probably want to know whether green tea extract has some side effects. Scientific studies have not found any chemical compounds in the herb and its supplements that can be dangerous to healthy adult individuals. Still, it should be pointed out that green tea contains caffeine in small dosages. This antioxidant is not dangerous for healthy people, but it is not recommended to children, pregnant and nursing women and individuals taking specific types of medication. The good news is that caffeine-free green tea extract products are available on the market.

Overall, it is certainly beneficial to take green tea extract, provided that you do not exceed the dosage and consult your physician, if you have any specific condition.