Green tea extract is a supplement that has a lot of known and reported benefits to the body and your health. It originated from China and has been known as being effective for thousands of years.
Reported Effects
1. Improves the metabolic rate.
2. Gives a boost to energy levels.
3. Helps with maintaining focus.
Other reported effects of green tea extract include:
Metabolism – it increases the metabolic rate, which leads to a higher rate of calorie burn. This becomes even more pronounced when coupled with high intensity training or workout, which commonly results to a spike in the person’s metabolism.
Increases energy levels – it has caffeine as one of its components and provides energy boosts like the other caffeine products. It not only wakes you up, but may even improve physical strength and endurance
Diuretic effects – it promotes excretion of urine, and the release of excess water that will help you gain a leaner look.
Focus - Improves concentration and mental alertness.
Other Benefits Include
Improves immunity from common diseases and viruses.
It works as an antioxidant.
Treatment for genital warts.
Prevents dizziness in older people.
Helps to prevent bladder, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Aids in low blood pressure issues.
Possible Dangers
Green tea extract is safe to use for most adults. Too much green tea, on the other hand, can cause side effects due to the caffeine content. These side effects can include headache, nervousness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and irritability.
In some cases, it may also cause heartburn, dizziness, convulsions, and confusion.
The following are additional dangers if not taken properly:
- Anemia
- Anxiety disorders
- Bleeding disorders
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
FDA Approved?
The Food and Drug Administration has said that there is no credible evidence to support the health claims for green tea use, including the claims of a reduced risk of certain cancers. However, the FDA approved an ointment using green tea as a main ingredient in October 2006. This ointment is used for genital and perianal warts.
Studies
Studies on the effectiveness of green tea extract include the following:
A University of Birmingham study concluded that average fat oxidation rate increased by 17% after ingestion of green tea extract. They also concluded that the ingestion resulted to improved insulin sensitivity as well as glucose tolerance in the test subjects
Clinical human studies claim that green tea results to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, dental cavities and cancer. However, there needs to be more consistency in the studies.
A study has shown that green tea reduces the total bad cholesterol levels by reducing absorption. In 2003, a similar study got the same results from a combination of green tea extract and theaflavin.
Another research done in the Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh showed that short-term consumption reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as cholesterol and body weight. The study also concluded that the reductions are more evident in overweight people, or people with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Supplements using this Ingredient:
1. NOW Green Tea Extract
2. MusclePharm Shred Matrix
3. Top Secret Nutrition Fat Burner
4. Universal Animal Cuts
5. Applied Nutriceuticals Lipotrophin-PM
6. PrimaForce Lean Green
7. Infinite Labs Phenyl Core
8. PharmaFreak RIPPED FREAK
9. Dymatize Dyma-Burn Xtreme
10. Vortex BURN
Conclusion
There are a lot of health supplements that use green tea as a main or critical ingredient because of its popularity and effectiveness. Coffee shops and restaurants also promote this in drinks that they are selling, to cater to the health conscious market. Green tea works best when combined with other fat burning ingredients such as guarana extract.