EGCG Health Benefits
6 Discoveries You Can't Ignore
What do scientific studies say about green tea EGCG health benefits?
The US National Library of Medicine's Pubmed service publishes thousands of green tea studies each year. Although green tea has more than 200 bioactive compounds, one compound receives by far the most attention - its most abundant and potent antioxidant - EGCG.
Both population studies and human trials have found this antioxidant to be highly beneficial in many areas of health. Here are some highlights to date. Enjoy.
EGCG Health Benefits #1:
Cardiovascular Health
Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) is a predominant problem in the Western world. Our poor diets and sedentary lifestyles certainly contribute to the problem, but there is also a natural genetic tendency in some people to develop atherosclerosis.
EGCG has been found to decrease the risk of developing atherosclerosis. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and thereby decreases arterial inflammation which decreases the chances of sticky build up on the artery walls.
This could also lower blood pressure as it eases the heart’s task of pumping blood through less inflamed arteries.
In addition, if you have high cholesterol, EGCG has been shown in Japanese studies to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol).
There are even indications that platelet activity level is reduced with the use of EGCG which makes the blood less sticky.
Green Tea and Atherosclerosis
EGCG Health Benefits #2:
Weight Loss
Obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in many Western countries. EGCG may help you lose weight via three main mechanisms:
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Higher Metabolism.
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Higher Fat Burning.
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Reduce Fat Storage
EGCG and Weight Loss - 3 Way Magic
EGCG Health Benefits #3:
Cancer
EGCG is one of the most powerful antioxidants that exist in nature. The job of antioxidants is to neutralise free radicals before they have a chance to do harm to your body. And EGCG, one of the most powerful that exists in nature, is probably the only antioxidant that has been proven by quantum physicists to perform this life saving task proficiently.
EGCG Antioxidants - 7 Reasons Why They Are So Powerful
Your body is exposed free radicals continuously. Free radicals are produced when you digest fats, when you breathe in pollutants such as car exhaust, air pollution, chemicals and especially cigarette smoking.
Free radicals destroy and modify DNA inside your body cells. And since nearly all cancers are caused by DNA abnormalities, consuming EGCG should help in preventing cancers.
Early research is showing that EGCG prevents cancers through a number of pathways. Read the following article for further information.
EGCG and Cancer Studies
EGCG Health Benefits #4:
Arthritis
EGCG has been found to be beneficial in arthritis patients because of its anti-inflammatory properties and more specifically, its ability to reduce amounts of inflammatory prostaglandin E2.
It has been suggested by a 2007 study by the University of Michigan Health System that EGCG may protect the destruction of cartilage which is seen in arthritic joints.
While the studies are still out on the direct effect that EGCG has on joint health, arthritis patients have reported that they feel better when taking EGCG via supplement or drinking tea. If you have achy joints, EGCG may be able to help.
EGCG and Arthritis Study
EGCG Health Benefits #5:
Diabetes
If you have type I or type II diabetes, you should know that EGCG can help in many areas.
For one, it is thought that EGCG may help regulate blood glucose levels.
We also know that EGCG reduces the chances of developing atherosclerosis which is a major problem in diabetic patients. If you have diabetes, you probably know that even under the best of circumstances and decent glucose control through diet and exercise, your blood is still stickier than a person without diabetes.
Because of this, you are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease as well as poor limb circulation and macular degeneration. EGCG can reduce this risk because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
EGCG Health Benefits #6:
Anti-aging
Free radicals damage the cellular membrane leading to poor cellular health and fragile tissue. This is the crux of aging.
Sagging, wrinkled skin is something we can see from the outside, but aging occurs from the inside out. Not only is skin health at risk, but all tissue in the body begins to deteriorate over time.
Though we can’t stop the clock, we can slow the process of aging through the use of EGCG because of its ability to reduce, eliminate and neutralize free radicals and the damage they cause.
EGCG may help you improve overall health because of its antioxidant abilities to strengthen, repair and optimise cellular health.
Scientific study is still at an early stage, but here is one skin study that is worth reading about.
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