Camellia sinensis is a wonderful plant from which a powerful beverage, green tea, is derived. Its beneficial effects on our organism are well known. An interesting fact about this plant is that the leaves of Camellia sinensis contain organic compounds that protect the plant from harmful pathogens. These compounds are called polyphenolic compounds and contain substances such as epigallocatechin, caffeine, tannin, catechin, and epicatechin. These compounds, of which EGCG is the most important, serve the plant as natural protective shield and the green tea plant actually uses this to survive.
The beneficial effects of EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) have been repeatedly demonstrated by various scientific studies. Based on several studies, polyphenols, including the aforementioned EGCG, offer great hope for the prevention of certain chronic conditions.
Are green tea capsules better than a cup of green tea?
When you drink green tea , you get a certain amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (between 50 and 100 mg) per cup. To meet your daily needs for this wonder substance, you'll need to drink quite a bit. However, if you choose an extract, green tea capsules should contain a certain concentration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). And for its full effect in the body, a combination of EGCG with other ingredients is also important.
This is the reason:
- While the EGCG content in a cup of green tea varies (it can even decrease if the water temperature is too high), the green tea extracts in supplements are present at a consistent concentration. So, you can't be sure that you're actually getting enough EGCG from a single cup of green tea .
- Another reason for taking green tea extract capsules instead of a beverage might be the taste . Most people dislike the bitter flavor, so they often add a lot of sweeteners, thereby spoiling the effects of the tea. Green tea extract capsules are easy to consume and have no taste, making the effects more effective.
- Finally, the third and most important reason is that green tea capsules have an ideal recipe, namely a combination of vitamins and other ingredients such as pepper that enrich the effect of EGCG.
However, not all green tea extract supplements are of the same quality and it is very important to look carefully at which green tea supplements you choose.
What are the 5 most important points for choosing the best green tea extract capsule?
1. Pay attention to the EGCG content in green tea capsules:
Various clinical studies have investigated the green tea catechin EGCG. However, a high EGCG concentration alone does not mean the product is superior. Furthermore, excessive EGCG concentrations can cause liver damage , so a maximum daily dose of up to 800 mg is recommended. In some cases, experts would recommend less (between 250 mg and 500 mg). Many studies have shown that combining EGCG with other ingredients is also important, making a significant difference in its absorption. This will be discussed in more detail later in the text.
2. Learn about research results that prove the good quality of green tea capsules:
The best products have undergone studies and tests that demonstrate whether the product is truly high-quality. So don't just believe what the advertisements promise you. Check the quality for yourself.
Green tea supplements are manufactured in different ways and have different combinations of ingredients. What makes one product better than another is this specific formulation.
The famous Prof. Dr. Werner Hunstein discovered that combining pepper and vitamin C with green tea extract significantly increases its absorption. He also found a way for a dietary supplement to reach the intestines and then directly into the bloodstream. This discovery made his recipe truly unique. With other formulations, the product could be absorbed through the liver, which could be harmful if high amounts of EGCG were present. Unlike the others , Prof. Dr. Werner Hunstein's recipe contains not just one type, but two types of EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).
3. The process of making green tea capsules is important
Before purchasing, study the label carefully and, when choosing a brand, pay attention to the combination of the most beneficial components of green tea. Only the young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant should be used for capsules. The extraction process should also be gentle and carried out exclusively with water that meets the permitted EU standard for certain countries, including Germany. This process should be free of chemical residues and should not use unauthorized solvents such as chloroform.
4. The origin and cultivation method of the plant from which the green tea extract is obtained is important:
To increase production, some supplement suppliers use lower-quality Camellia sinensis . To maximize the yield, pesticides are often used during cultivation. Please note: The best green tea extract is obtained from a fully organically grown plant.
Green tea capsules from inferior cultivation, using pesticides and genetic engineering , may not be viable in the long run. Furthermore, if the green tea harvest was purchased from an anonymous middleman, there is no 100% guarantee of the origin, cultivation method, or the natural quality of the extracts used in the dietary supplement.
Therefore, carefully study the origin of the plants, which is stated on the packaging. The best, for example, are grown in the areas near the Yellow Mountains, which are among the most famous and beautiful mountain regions in China. Due to the excellent climatic and ecological conditions, green tea plants from this mountain region are said to contain higher-quality polyphenols than those from other growing areas.
5. The price of a capsule with green tea extract always depends on the quality:
We've left this article at the very end so it won't be forgotten. This theory has proven itself countless times, not only in the search for the best EGCG capsule, but also in everyday life. It takes a lot of effort, work, and time to get the best and most beneficial results from the magical Camellia sinensis for the customer. Cheap products are usually also cheap and of inferior quality. Your well-being should only be worth the best, one that supports you from within with the legendary "Gold of Asia."
Sources: Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review - PMC (nih.gov)
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