Green Tea Extract

Green tea has been consumed as one of Asia’s most popular health drinks for hundreds of years. Just like black tea, green tea is sourced from the Camellia sinensis leaves, but undergo different processing after harvest.

Green tea is chock-full of phytonutrients called polyphenols. Some of the best studied ones include:
Catechins like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
Flavonoids like quercetin

As the major polyphenolic compound in green tea, catechins are largely responsible for providing protective vascular properties. Catechins have been shown to inhibit oxidation as well, which also supports their effectiveness in improving cholesterol and cardiovascular health.

EGCG also acts as a thermogenic, which helps to stimulate metabolism and promote weight management. It can also help regulate blood sugar and therefore decrease cravings. These benefits, in combination with exercise and proper diet, also help to support obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight.

Clinical studies show that green tea extract offers a potent dose of antioxidants that help reduce oxidative damage to cells, tissues and DNA within the body.

Organika makes these health benefits available with a non-GMO and non-irradiated green tea leaf extract. Organika’s Green Tea Extract contains 95% polyphenols, 60% which are catechins including 50% EGCG to help improve overall health and weight management.

MEDICINAL INGREDIENT — EACH VEGETARIAN CAPSULE CONTAINS: 

Green Tea Dried Leaf Extract (Camellia sinensis) 300 mg (Standardized to contain 50% epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)).

NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: 

Brown Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate (Non-GMO Vegetable Source), Hypromellose / Pullulan (Vegetarian Capsule).

RECOMMENDED DOSE — (ORAL) ADULTS ONLY: 

Take 1 capsule per day with a meal.

DURATION OF USE: 

For use beyond 12 weeks, consult a health care practitioner.

CAUTIONS: 

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; have an iron deficiency, or a liver disorder. Stop use if you develop symptoms of liver trouble such as yellowing of the skin / eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, dark urine, sweating, nausea, unusual tiredness and/or loss of appetite and consult a health care practitioner. Rare, unpredictable cases of liver injury associated with green tea extract-containing products have been reported (in Canada and internationally).

Q: What’s the difference between black and green tea?
A: They both come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis. Black tea is oxidized - meaning it's dried by being exposed to air, where it then ferments. Green tea is not oxidized, rather is pan-fired, oven-dried or steamed to prevent oxidation from occurring. Green tea is processed in a way that retains and maximizes the polyphenols from the leaves.

Q: Is there caffeine in the EGCG capsules?
A: Yes, but the amount is quite negligible compared to a cup of green tea. In Organika's Green Tea Extract capsules, you'll find 0.06mg per capsule (0.2% caffeine). Compare this to somewhere between 15 and 75 mg of caffeine per cup (depending on type and brewing method), and the fact that you get 7-8 cups of green tea worth of EGCG, and that's saving you well over 200 mg of caffeine per day. Awesome for those who are caffeine-sensitive but still want to reap the benefits of green tea.

Q: Can I just drink green tea to get these benefits? How do I get the most out of a cup of tea?
A You can get these benefits out of drinking green tea, but it would take 7-8 cups of brewed tea to equal the polyphenols in Organika’s Green Tea Extract. That would be quite overstimulating and dehydrating for most of us. When you do drink green tea, you can increase your EGCG content by pouring boiling water over your dried green tea, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes before drinking. This might make it a bit bitter, but that’s a sign that you’re getting more polyphenols (they have a bitter taste, part of their goodness).

Q: I’ve heard that my gut health has to do with my absorption of EGCG. Is this the case?
A: Just like most nutrients, our microbes in our guts affect our absorption. The microbes help to convert the polyphenols into forms that are easier to get across the digestive tract barrier. So, like with all your health challenges, maximizing your digestive function and bacteria will help EGCG benefit your body and mind.

Q: What is a phytonutrient?
A: These are chemicals naturally produced in plants, which function as their defense system. A plant can’t run away from a pest or drought, so under stress, these phytochemicals are produced as part of it’s immune system to get it through the crisis. We can benefit from these nutrients by eating more plants. As all the colours found in our produce have a different set of these phytonutrients, eating a rainbow on a regular basis allows us to benefit from these plant-produced superpowers.