Health Benefits Of Catechins In Green Tea
Catechin is one of the potent ingredients that gives green tea its health-enhancing abilities. It is only found in green tea, because the fermentation process involved in the making of black tea removes the catechin. It is a water-soluble polyphenol that is easily oxidized, so green tea is minimally processed. There are many types of phenols in the plant kingdom, and catechin is one of the most well-known of the flavonoids.
When researchers were trying to find out what made green tea such a potent health drink, they discovered that most of its protective effects originate with the catechins. Tea has 4 primary catechins- EC, EGC, ECg, and EGCG, which is the most powerful of them all. It is almost 100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.
A cup of green tea gives you between 10 and 40 milligrams of polyphenols, and has more antioxidants than a serving of carrots, broccoli, or spinach. This high antioxidant content makes it ideal for protecting the body from free radicals. It may help to clear arterial blockages by reducing the amount of lipids absorbed into the bloodstream.
Green tea can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and also protects the immune systems of those undergoing radiation treatments or chemotherapy. White blood cell counts are more easily maintained in those who supplement with green tea.
Green tea is made from unprocessed tea leaves, so the oxidation of the catechins hasn’t had a chance to start. This means that green tea has more antioxidant power than almost any other food. Catechins may be so effective because they can bind to proteins, keeping bacteria and possibly viruses from sticking to cell walls. Catechin is thus a potent antibacterial, and it can also chelate metals like mercury, cadmium, and even lead.
The tannins in green tea are primarily catechins, and are chiefly responsible for the tart taste of green tea. The amount of catechin in green tea usually rises as the season goes on. The first crop of the season would contain about 12% catechins, while a summer crop contains about 14% catechins. Younger leaves generally contain more catechins than older leaves. Summer teas are less tangy than spring teas, making them more palatable.
Catechins are a big part of what makes green tea such an effective supplement. If you don’t like to drink green tea, there are a lot of highly concentrated supplements available that will provide the same benefits. A serving of three tablets contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, and liquid supplements are generally more potent than tablets. Whatever you choose, catechin and green tea will definitely improve your health!