Knowledge: Green Tea (Camillia Sinensis)

Green tea, also known as Camillia Sinensis, originated in Southern China. It has traditionally been used to treat digestive issues, such as gas/flatulence, headache and other ailments.

Green tea is a hardy, evergreen shrub, from the Theaceae family. Whilst green tea leaves is commonly known for its various health benefits, from heart-protective effects to cancer prevention, green tea bud has been used to improve brain health and support weight loss.

Green tea is a good source of Vitamin A, C, E and B vitamins. It is also rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Catechins, particularly Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is one of its active constituents, has potent antioxidant effects. It is beneficial for preventing and managing various diseases, such as bad breath, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)

Health Benefits:

1. Lifestyle Disease : prevention and management

Regular green tea consumption can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

amongst overweight / obese, Type 2 Diabetics.

Table 1: The association between Green Tea consumption and the risk of Cardiovascular disease, stroke and Coronary Heart Disease

2. Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Green tea is proven protective effects against inflammatory-related diseases such as gastrointestinal malignancy (eg colorectal cancer) and neurodegenerative disorders (eg Parkinson’s disease).

Table 2: The association between green tea consumption and chronic inflammatory diseases

3. Liver health

With its antioxidant-rich Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), green tea is effective in the prevention and management of fatty liver disease.

4. Skin health

Regular green tea consumption is shown to have good UV-protective effects and

supports wound healing.

Usage:

Food and beverage as well as Health Supplement

Reference:

1. Chacko et al. 2010, “Beneficial effects of Green tea: A Literacture Review”, Chinese Medicine, vol. 5 (13), pp. 1-9
2. James et al. 2023, “Therapeutic Activity of Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Metabolic Diseases and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases: The Current Updates”, Nutrients, vol. 15 (13), pp. 1-19
3. Liu et al. 2024, “Green tea consumption and incidence of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients with overweight/obesity: a community-based cohort study”, Archives of Public Health, vol. 82 (18), pp. 1-12
4. Oz, HS 2017, “Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Green Tea Polyphenols”, Nutrients, vol. 9 (561), pp. 1-14