- Antioxidant purposes
In the metabolization of oxygen in the body, reactive oxygen species and free radicals are generated. These substances can damage lipids in human cells, protein, as well as genetic functions, resulting in cell aging or death and thus leading to cancer, cerebrovascular problems and other diseases.
Catechin extracted from green tea, such as EC, EGC, ECG, EGCG etc., can prevent the generation of reactive oxygen species and free radicals. It is now known that vitamins C and E are related to limiting the peroxidation of fat, and the effectiveness of catechin is 25 times that of vitamin E, and 100 times that of vitamins. It can also reduce the damage reactive oxygen species that can render to chromosomes.
- Lowering of blood pressure to prevent atherosclerosis
With age, the accumulation of oxidized fat leads to a gradual increase in the proportion of cardiovascular and chronic diseases experienced. EGCG inhibits the peroxidation of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein). Animal experiments have shown that this reaction may reduce total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL values. Therefore, supplementing catechins can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
- Contain the spread of influenza
1978 – Japan’s Okayama Fumio research discovered that:
Add EGCG into a solution of the virus and the virus immediately produces agglutination.
Using a solution of tea to direct battle the virus has better inhibitory effects than when virus-infected cells deal with the virus.
Prevention is better than treatment, and using catechin as a mouthwash can effectively inhibit respiratory discomfort that arises due to influenza.
- Fights cancer and tumors
In the proliferation of cancer cells, adipose tissue and liver cells, it was found that the amount of FAS (Fatty acid synthase) exceeded the average in normal people by over three times. In other words, fat tissue and tumor tissue can be seen to express abnormally high levels of fatty acid synthesis.
Because catechins can act within DNA, they can suppress fatty acid synthesis and thus inhibit cell proliferation. According to existing studies, catechins have been proven to have a definite level of prevention and inhibition of gastric cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, skin cancer and the appearance of other cancers.
- Antibacterial effects
In 1989 Japan’s Yoshinobu Horiuchi raised: tea polyphenols can inhibit the respiratory pathogens (eg: Bordetella pertussis).
In 1989 Tie Zuohao pointed out: tea polyphenols (1000ppm which is equivalent to 100mg / 100ml) and mycoplasma have excellent antibacterial effects.
International brands of air conditioners emphasize using sterilizing substances containing chlorothanil. It is understood that these substances include tea polyphenols.
- Fights allergies
Japanese researchers found that, EGCG can block cell receptors from producing allergic reactions. Current studies show, EGCG can block the IgE receptor, and the IgE receptor is the main receptor for producing allergic reactions in cells (methylated EGCG has a stronger effect against allergic reactions than regular EGCG), so drinking green tea can fight runny noses, coughing, watery eyes and other symptoms of allergies and colds.
- Inhibits arthritis
British researchers at Sheffield University found that amongst green tea compounds EGCG impede the generation of enzymes that destroy cartilage, and are thus helpful in preventing osteoarthritis. These laboratory tests show that EGCG has a protective effect on cartilage. Not only can it reduce the amount of cartilage loss, EGCG can reduce joint swelling and pain. Sheffield University has already applied for patents for this treatment of osteoarthritis.
- Prevention of tooth decay, reduction of bad breath
Dental bacteria secrete enzymes that adhere to the tooth surface, which leads to tooth decay. Catechins can inhibit the secretion of these enzymes, and can effectively neutralizing the odor of methyl mercaptan to get rid of bad breath. Thus one can say that catechins prevent tooth decay, periodontosis, and bad breath.
- Anti-aging and skin whitening
Researchers at America’s University Hospitals of Clevel and Case Western Reserve University confirmed in a study that catechins in Baihaoyinzhen (a kind of white tea) enhance skin immunity, reduce sunlight damage functions, thus reducing the resulting DNA damage from sunlight exposure, thereby having the effect of preventing skin aging.
In early 2001, South Korea physicians published in the medical journal of dermatology that in animal tests, when mice received 18 hours of continuous UV-B and UV-A radiation for ten weeks, smearing catechin EGCG can significantly reduce lipid oxidation of the skin, redness and skin damage.
- Slimming and weight Loss
Biology Professor Lin Renhun from National Taiwan University’s School of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Studies found abnormally high expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) on the surfaces of cancer cells.
Catechins can inhibit FAS activity in DNA; in other words, it can help inhibit lipid hyperplasia, make intracellular lipid synthesis difficult, hence making it harder for body fat to accumulate, inhibiting obesity. In animal experiments it was found feeding mice tea powder for a long duration (63 weeks) can reduce the weight of mice by 10-18% without incurring liver and kidney toxicity. And most importantly, it can be achieved on a normal diet, and without needing to control the intake of fat, weight loss can still be achieved.
Dr. Abdul Dulloo from the University of Geneva, Switzerland published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, that green tea can speed up calorie consumption, especially fat consumption. Researchers used green tea extract, caffeine and placebos for the study and found that eating green tea accelerated calorie burning and the burning of fat, but caffeine and placebo did not have this effect.