Green Tea EGCG
About Green Tea EGCG
Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is the most abundant catechin in green tea, made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. It is the ester of epigallocatechin with gallic acid. Heating fresh leaves soon after picking preserves catechins, whereas in black tea oxidation converts much of them into theaflavins. In observational studies, green tea consumption has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and some cancers, though such associations can reflect other lifestyle factors. EGCG inhibits catechol O methyltransferase, which may prolong the action of norepinephrine, but weight loss trials show small and inconsistent effects. In cell and animal models EGCG affects pathways involved in cancer growth and neurodegeneration, but clinical evidence is limited. Concentrated green tea extract supplements have been linked to rare cases of liver injury, and the European Food Safety Authority has raised safety concerns about high intakes of EGCG from supplements, while brewed tea has not been associated with the same risk.
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