Green Tea Leaf Extract
By Rita Martinez
Green tea leaf extract is derived from the plant Camellia senensis which produces rich green leaves that are used in tea making. Green tea has long been used in China to promote health and well-being. Green tea leaf extract contains compounds called catechins which are believed to exert a variety of health benefits. The antioxidant capacity of green tea comes from the high content of polyphenols. Polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), are the most popular and most studied.
Polyphenols are typically found in plants and in chemistry they are characterized by the presence of more than one "phenol group." The polyphenols include several popular health promoting compounds such as tannins, lignins, and flavonoids. Tannins are most widely recognized for their presence in red wine and these compounds are the reason for the majority of the health benefits of the drink. The flavonoids and lignins are commonly found in most fruits and vegetables.
The health promoting benefits of green tea leaf extract are largely the result of the antioxidant capabilities of the polyphenols. Antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced from many reactions in the body and cause further damage to cells by promoting oxidation. Antioxidants such as the polyphenols deactivate free radicals and prevent them from further damaging cells.
Green tea leaf extract and polyphenols can be found in many different types of supplements ranging from tea to oils and everything in between. There are many brands on the market, but try to look for ones that contain green tea in addition to other herbs and vitamins.
If you would like to purchase a product that contains green tea leaf extract, there is one that I use and trust. The name of it is Focus Fast and it contains over 38 ingredients including green tea. Want to find out more about this product? Click Here
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