It’s no secret that green tea is a health food. Nearly everyone from bodybuilders to dieticians tout the benefits of this beverage. It seems as though there is no part of the body that does not benefit from a dose of green tea!
Not a fan of tea? Don’t worry – the benefits of green tea are not confined to your mug!
Green tea extracts deliver the benefits of green tea without actually having to drink the sometimes bitter beverage. Like any vitamin or dietary supplement, all the healthy aspects of the plant are squeezed into an easy-to-take capsule or liquid concentrate.
Green tea is often considered a superfood. This is due to the seemingly endless list of health benefits the little leaf provides. Check out just a few benefits of green tea extract below!
Quick NavigationBenefits of Green Tea ExtractWeight LossDiabetesCancer PreventionBoosts EnergyIs Green Tea Extract Good For You? Is it Safe?Supplement Buying Guide1. Method2. Caffeine Content3. Percent Catechins4. Amount of EGCG5. Serving sizeTop 5 Green Tea Extract BrandsHerbaSway HerbaGreen TeaNutrigold Decaffeinated Green Tea CapsulesNow EGCG Green Tea ExtractNature’s Nutrition Green Tea ExtractBluebonnet Green Tea Leaf ExtractMiracle Beverage, Concentrated
Benefits of Green Tea Extract
Please be advised – Even though we have done a lot of research and sourced a lot of material below, it’s best to seek professional advise from your doctor before making any decisions about your health.
1 – Weight Loss
Look at any commercial fat burner, and green tea extract will likely be in the top three ingredients.
Green tea extract gets its fat burning powers from epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. This substance has been shown to help “flush” fat from the body and boost metabolism, which helps you burn fat faster. In addition to increasing metabolism, EGCG can also inhibit fat cell development, helping you keep the weight off after it’s shed.
Green tea naturally contains caffeine, a stimulant that has been shown to aid fat burning and improve exercise performance. A cup of green tea contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee, but it’s still enough to have an effect. You can purchase decaffeinated green tea extract, but you obviously wouldn’t get the added boost from the stimulant.
2 – Diabetes
Studies have shown that green tea extract can help people with diabetes.
Green tea is extremely high in antioxidants. These antioxidants can help regulate blood sugar and aid in weight loss, both of which are extremely beneficial for those with diabetes.
Green tea extract isn’t just beneficial for those who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, either. One study in Japan found that people who consumed six or more cups of green tea per day were 33 percent less likely to develop diabetes.
When you use an extract, getting the equivalent of six cups of tea is no problem!
3 – Cancer Prevention
Antioxidant is a huge buzzword right now in the health sphere. As you might know from commercials, antioxidants can help protect our bodies against cancer.
Flavonoids are one type of antioxidant. One specific type of flavonoid, catechins, has recently come into the spotlight for its incredibly potent cancer-fighting properties. Luckily, green tea happens to be the best source of catechins in the human diet! Green tea contains three times the amount of these cancer-fighters than black teas.
In lab studies, green tea has been shown to slow or prevent the development of cancers in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells. The data is strongest for ovarian, bladder, and esophageal cancers.
4 – Boosts Energy
Sure, the caffeine in green tea helps give you a little boost in the morning or during that mid-afternoon slump. But there’s reason to reach for some green tea extract instead of coffee.
I love coffee as much as the next gal, but I don’t love the jitters it can give me – especially later in the day. With just about a third of the caffeine in coffee, green tea extract can help energize your workout or study session, without making you shaky after a few hours.
Is Green Tea Extract Good For You? Is it Safe?
As far as purity of ingredients goes, green tea extracts are absolutely safe. In order to make sure you’re getting the healthiest supplement possible, make sure to read the ingredient list and be on the lookout for any artificial additives or hard-to-pronounce items.
The real safety, however, comes in the dosage. Just as with most things, too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing, and green tea extract is no exception.
When consumed in excess, those catechins that can help fight against cancer can actually cause herbal hepatoxicity and liver damage.
Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include this beneficial supplement in your diet. However, this isn’t something you should be consuming huge amounts of at once. To keep your body healthy, make sure you follow the instructions as to the serving that’s right for you.
Supplement Buying Guide
Finding a healthy and safe green tea extract is straightforward if you know what to look for. The perfect product will ultimately depend on your lifestyle and your needs.
The categories below are the top factors to keep in mind when searching for a green tea supplement.
If you’d prefer to choose from our favorite products, simply skip down to the “Top 5 Brands” section.
1. Method
Green tea extracts are great for those who want the benefits of the drink without having to, well, drink it. Even better? You get to choose between capsules and liquids.
A capsule supplement is quick and convenient to take – usually, you’ll just need to toss one or two capsules back with a gulp of water. No waiting for water to boil, no dishes to clean, just pure green tea goodness!
However, some people have difficulty swallowing capsules and would prefer something that didn’t involve a pill. For these people, there are handy liquid supplements. You can add a few drops to your favorite beverage for a concentrated drink, or simply take the drops straight from the bottle.
2. Caffeine Content
Just like traditional green tea, extracts usually contain at least some caffeine.
As I mentioned, regular extract can provide a morning or mid-afternoon boost, without the shakiness and jitters of coffee.
If you’re limiting your caffeine intake, don’t worry! All you’ll need to do is opt for a decaffeinated supplement as opposed to the traditional caffeinated variety.
It’s important to note that even decaffeinated supplements still contain trace amounts of caffeine. In general, these varieties have anywhere from 0-5mg per capsule. That’s far less than caffeinated green tea and coffee, but important if you have allergies or sensitivities when it comes to caffeine.
3. Percent Catechins
The power of green tea extract comes from the catechins. These are the antioxidants that keep you healthy and youthful, and fight against illness and cancer. To pick the best quality extract, you want to look for the highest ratio of catechins possible.
The labeling can be a little confusing here – you might assume you can pick up a supplement that boasts “300mg of antioxidants”. However, some green tea extracts only contain about 30 percent catechins, so you’d only be getting 90mg of catechins instead of the 300.
Look for the highest percentage of catechins you can to get the most healing and protective power from your green tea extract – not to mention, the best bang for your buck.
4. Amount of EGCG
As we mentioned earlier, EGCG is one of the types of catechins in green tea. It’s undoubtedly the most famous and most studied of green tea’s catechins. It’s the focus of most scientific studies and is the catechin most closely related to the benefits of green tea.
Like in the general catechin area, the best green tea extract will have a high percentage of EGCG. More of this component means more health-boosting flavanoids to keep your body in tip-top shape, so opt for the highest ratio you can afford!
5. Serving size
Last, but not least, you’ll want to consider the serving size of your supplement. While these extracts can be convenient, some people simply don’t want to have to – or can’t – swallow three or four pills at once.
In addition to the physical aspects of it, a higher number of pills per serving size can be a strain on your wallet, too. Taking several pills at once means you go through each bottle more quickly, and you ultimately need to spend more money in the long run to stock back up. I like to go for a supplement that uses one to two pills per serving – it’s a good balance of easy to take, and easy on my bank account.
Top 5 Green Tea Extract Brands
All brands have vegetarian derived ingredients and are vegan-friendly
HerbaSway HerbaGreen Tea
Vegan Status: Ingredient list
Taking a great green tea extract doesn’t mean having to swallow capsules! The HerbaSway Green Tea Extract comes in a convenient liquid form. You can add this to a big glass of water, or simply take it from the bottle as is!
This blend is a minimum of 90% polyphenols and has 50% EGCG. The bottle doesn’t list the percent of catechins, but for those who can’t or don’t want to swallow pills, it’s a good option.
This formula includes some ingredients other than plain green tea extract. These include things like lotus extract, kudzu extract, and ural licorice extract. It’s also sweetened with a blend of stevia and lo han extract. Both of these are natural sweeteners so that you won’t be consuming any chemicals – or calories for that matter! The formula is calorie-free.
It also helps perk up your water, and can help you kick powdered drink packets! Besides the original flavor, this extract comes in Impeccably Peach, Mandarin Mango, and Raspberry Lime flavors. If you’re a strict vegan, you’ll want to avoid their Honey Lemon flavor.
Good news for those limiting their caffeine intake! This extract is free from any caffeine, so you can sip with sensitivities, or within a few hours of bedtime.
Each two-ounce bottle contains 60 1-mL servings.
What We Love
Reviewers love that this is such a convenient way to add the benefits of green tea to your favorite beverage. With natural, calorie-free sweetness, it can also help you wean off sugar-sweetened tea. It’s also a great option for people who do not want to have to take capsules or pills.
We We Didn’t Like
This extract is sweetened with stevia, which can have a unique aftertaste that some people don’t like. If you aren’t a big fan of stevia-sweetened beverages, you’ll want to mix this formula with more water or avoid altogether.
Nutrigold Decaffeinated Green Tea Capsules
Vegan Status: Veg capsules & plant-based ingredients
Containing less than 1% caffeine, the decaffeinated green tea capsules from Nutrigold are a great option for those with caffeine sensitivities, or those who are looking to limit their intake. Of course, foregoing the caffeine doesn’t mean sacrificing the benefits of green tea!
Each 500mg capsule consists of 80% catechins and 50% EGCG. The formula is standardized to contain a minimum of 90% total polyphenols.
The ingredient list also stood out to me – in a good way! These capsules have only three total ingredients – and that’s including the green tea extract! The other two ingredients are non-GMO rice flour and vegetable cellulose, which helps create the easy-to-take capsule.
This formula is free of gluten, additives, magnesium stearate, preservatives, and common allergens like wheat, dairy, or egg. It’s an ideal option for people who like to eat as cleanly as possible, and who don’t want their supplements to contain fillers or hard-to-pronounce ingredients.
Each bottle contains 180 one-capsule servings.
What We Love
What We Love: This is a highly potent formula – in fact, it’s a favorite among leukemia and lymphoma survivors. While your mileage may vary, some cancer survivors said this supplement was extremely effective in their battle against the illness – and at keeping it at bay. As always, consult your doctor before making any health decisions based on internet reviews.
We We Didn’t Like
The Downside: While the product itself gets rave reviews, some reviewers noted trouble with the Amazon supplier. Some people were sent 90-capsule bottles rather than the 180-capsule version.
Now EGCG Green Tea Extract
Vegan Status: All ingredients in list from vegetable sources
Each capsule of NOW Foods’ Green Tea Extract is equivalent to 2-3 cups of traditionally brewed green tea.
A one-capsule serving packs a powerful antioxidant punch! Consisting of 98% total polyphenols, this product has 80% catechins and 50%, or 200mg, of EGCG.
The extract uses decaffeinated green tea and contains 4mg of caffeine per serving. The ingredient list also clocks in at an impressively low four ingredients (one of which is the green tea). It’s free from sugar, salt, gluten, soy, egg, shellfish, and preservatives. Lastly, the supplement is made in the United States.
Each bottle contains 180 servings of green tea extract – this will keep you all set for nearly half a year, assuming a single person is using it.
What We Love
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise this extract for appetite control. Many purchasers said they felt less inclined to overeat while taking this supplement and found it easier to eat moderate portion sizes. Several people also reported feeling a boost in energy, despite taking in less food.
We We Didn’t Like
This supplement caused nausea in some reviewers. For best results and minimal side effects, take this extract with a meal or snack – you’re more likely to get nauseous when you take this on an empty stomach.
Nature’s Nutrition Green Tea Extract
Vegan Status: Designates veg capsules/all ingredients plant-derived
The extract from Nature’s Nutrition is made from the potent polyphenols and antioxidants found in green tea. Each two-capsule serving is 1,000mg and is equivalent to 3-4 cups of green tea. Each serving contains a minimum of 75% catechins and 45% EGCG. It also contains naturally occurring caffeine and L-theanine, all bundled together in a vegetable cellulose capsule.
The formula is entirely vegan-friendly and is free of allergens such as wheat, egg, milk, peanut, and soy. The capsules are non-GMO and contain zero binders, fillers, or artificial ingredients.
This supplement is especially targeted for weight loss, but it comes with a host of other benefits. Reviewers have seen improvement in mental clarity, cognitive function, cardiovascular health, and dental health while using this product.
Users should take two capsules per day, preferably with their morning meal. For maximum weight loss results, take two capsules twice per day.
Each bottle contains 120 capsules, providing you with two months’ worth of supplement per single person.
What We Love
Reviewers saw huge boosts in energy with this supplement! The buzz it provides makes it a great way to sub out your morning cup of java, or to use instead of your pre-workout supplement. Purchasers also appreciated that these capsules are easy to swallow, so it’s even good for those that have trouble taking pills.
We We Didn’t Like
Some reviewers experienced abdominal pain when taking these supplements. The company suggests not taking this extract on an empty stomach, so if you experience adverse effects, try taking the pills with your breakfast.
Bluebonnet Green Tea Leaf Extract
Vegan Status: Amazon listing denotes veg*n formula
The green tea extract from Bluebonnet is made via a clean and gentle water-based extraction process. This method captures and preserves the potent benefits of green tea, assuring the capsules are as effective as possible.
This blend contains a minimum of 95% polyphenols, 75% catechins, and 45% EGCG. The easy-to-swallow vegetable-based capsules allow for maximum assimilation and absorption of the extract.
The ingredient contains five items altogether, including the green tea extract itself. The remaining four ingredients are all clearly labeled as “vegetable-based,” so even the strictest vegan can rest assured that this product is safe for use.
This extract is free from common allergens like shellfish, gluten, corn, wheat, soy, and yeast.
Each bottle contains 120 single-capsule servings. If you don’t want to commit to a large bottle right off the bat, there is also the option to purchase a 60-capsule bottle.
What We Love
This product is especially good for weight loss! Several reviewers noted dropping as much as 15 pounds in a single month while using this product. If you’re currently on a diet and exercise plan, this is a great supplement to add to your diet.
We We Didn’t Like
This extract is on the higher end of the price spectrum. If you’re looking to pinch your pennies, this option may not be ideal for you.
Miracle Beverage, Concentrated
By adding a quality green tea extract to your diet, you can harness the power of this miracle beverage without having to drink the brewed tea itself.
To get the maximum health benefits, choose an extract that has a high concentration of polyphenols, especially the catechins that make green tea famous. Each time you take this supplement, know that you’re protecting your body against harmful free radicals, and even illnesses like cancer. How’s that for a miracle drink?
It’s important to only take the recommended amount of extract per day – be sure to consult the bottle, or your doctor. Even when it comes to something as great as green tea, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Whether you want convenient pills or a mango-flavored, naturally-sweetened liquid, green tea extract is a smart addition to your diet. Pick up your first bottle to feel the boost of energy, appetite control, and health-building effects of this wonder plant!