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GREEN TEA EXTRACT 95% Product No. P07361

There are only three categories of teas; green, oolong, and black. Each of these is the leaf of Camellia sinensis and differs only in duration of fermentation. ‘Black’ is fully fermented, ‘oolong’ is partially fermented, and ‘green’ is not fermented at all, only steamed (types of tea such as Ceylon and Darjeeling refer to the region in which they are grown).

Green tea has greater health benefits because, as the leaves are steamed, the polyphenol Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is prevented from being oxidised. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

EGCG is a powerful antioxidant - at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C, and 25 times more effective than vitamin E, at protecting cells and DNA from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. This antioxidant also has twice the benefits of resveratrol, found in high amounts in red wine.

There are four primary polyphenols in green tea and they are often collectively referred to as catechins. Powerful antioxidants, catechins have been shown in recent studies to fight viruses, slow aging and destroy free radicals that damage cells, leaving the body susceptible to cancer, heart disease, and many other degenerative diseases.

It has long been known that green tea contains antioxidants that may have a protective effect against cancer, but now it has been discovered that chemicals in the tea also shut down a key molecule which can play a significant role in the development of cancer. The molecule, known as the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor, has the ability to activate genes - but not always in a positive way. Tobacco smoke and dioxins, in particular, disrupt the functioning of the molecule and cause it to trigger potentially harmful gene activity, however, researchers, found that chemicals in green tea inhibit AH activity.

EGCG is able to force certain cancer cells into a situation in which they die (a condition scientists call ‘apoptosis’), without harming healthy tissue. EGCG has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots (thrombosis), which is important as this is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. Further evidence shows EGCG as having an inhibitory effect on the enzyme, urokinase, which is required for tumour formation, and it is therefore helpful in preventing the formation of tumours.

Benefits of green tea;