It has been shown that consuming green tea extract is better than drinking regular green tea concerning how the body absorbs antioxidants according to the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition. But this doesn't mean you should not consider drinking brewed green tea.
The extract is taken from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant which produces our four main types of tea, green being one of them. In general, smaller, lower grade leaves are selected and are sometime mixed with other supplements for additional benefits. The larger more quality leaves are processed and sold whole for loose tea brewing.
Green tea extract can come in either capsules, pill, or liquid form and have a number of benefits.
Such Benefits Are:
Increases The Immune System
Lowers Cholesterol And Blood Pressure
Aids With Arthritis
Helps Prevent Tumor And Cancer Growth
Assists In The Burning Of Calories
Prevents Plaque And Cavities
Other related benefits of drinking green tea or taking extracts are help with the formation of lung cancer from smoking and breast cancer. Women who consume a lot of green tea before menopause can help cut the risk of developing breast cancer by 50% according to one Japanese study.
The Japanese are avid green tea drinkers, and are also heavy smokers. Yet Japan has the lowest recording of lung cancer in the world...so is green tea consumption responsible?
Now while many more studies need to be done to confirm this, the future is looking in a positive direction. However, no tea should be understood as an actual preventative or cure for any health ailment or otherwise at this time!
For the most part, green tea supplements are safe, but over-dosing may cause complications such as liver or stomach problems if you’re not careful. Consult your physician before taking any extracts to be safe.
Folks who are taking tea supplements for weight loss are more at risk since over-dosing for quicker results are common.
Green tea extract contains powerful antioxidants including, epigallocatehcin gallate (EGCG), catechins, and plant polyphenols. It is also a whole lot more powerful than vitamin C, and one capsule contains more antioxidants than a serving of broccoli or strawberries; so if getting the most antioxidant goodies in your body is top priority, then these supplements are a good choice.
These tea supplements are very convenient, and are ideal for people who do not want the bother of brewing tea, or do not like the sometimes vegetal taste. The supplements can be added in other food if in liquid form, or taking orally if in capsule or pill form. It is also recommended that folks take tea extracts in the morning or afternoon as well since the body absorbs more at these times.
For folks who want to boost what is in their green tea already, then adding the recommended dosage of green tea liquid extract is one idea.
But don't be misdirected from green tea according to the information on this page. The one thing these supplements can't do for you is provide you with the drinking and favorable enjoyment that comes from brewed tea! For many, this is still the preferred way to obtain what tea has to offer...this has been the way for thousands of years!