Green tea extract (EGCG)

EGCG · epigallocatechin gallate · green tea extract

The main green-tea catechin promoted for metabolism, fat loss and 'anti-aging'.

TipoSupplement / dietary

Il voto risponde a: What does the human evidence support for: Metabolic & antioxidant support?

Grado

Limitata

Il voto misura la qualità dell'evidenza, non è un consiglio ad assumere o acquistare.

Classe: Polyphenol
Uso principale: Metabolic & antioxidant support
Forza evidenza: low
Ultima revisione: 2026-07-01

In sintesi

Green tea as a drink is a healthy habit; concentrated EGCG extracts have weak weight/longevity evidence and a real, if uncommon, liver-toxicity risk. The pill is not the same as the cup.

Cosa dice l'evidenza

Observational data link green-tea drinking to favourable health patterns, and EGCG is a potent antioxidant in the lab. But trials of concentrated EGCG supplements show only small, inconsistent effects on weight and metabolic markers, and there is no human longevity outcome evidence. Importantly, high-dose extracts (unlike the beverage) have been associated with rare hepatotoxicity, prompting regulatory warnings in some regions. Grade C — and a reminder that isolating and concentrating a food compound can change its risk profile.

Studi chiave

[1]
Green tea catechins for weight and metabolism (meta-analysis) · meta-analysis
Small, inconsistent effects from supplements.
Apri su PubMed ↗
[2]
EGCG / green tea extract hepatotoxicity · safety
Rare but real liver-injury risk with concentrated extracts.
Apri su PubMed ↗
[3]
Green tea polyphenols and aging (review) · review
Mostly preclinical; human longevity data absent.
Apri su PubMed ↗

Vedi tutti gli studi su PubMed ↗

Meccanismo

Antioxidant and modulation of metabolic and signalling pathways (including proposed effects on fat oxidation and, preclinically, on senescence-related targets); much is extrapolated from cell and animal work.

Sicurezza

Green tea as a drink is safe. Concentrated EGCG extracts, especially on an empty stomach or at high doses, carry a rare but documented risk of liver injury. People with liver conditions or on hepatotoxic drugs should be cautious.

Contesto dosaggio

Extract trials vary widely; some safety reviews suggest keeping supplemental EGCG below defined daily limits and taking it with food. Drinking tea avoids the concentrated-extract risk entirely.

Esempi di applicazione

Best had simply as green tea, which avoids the extract risk.
If using an extract, taken with food and kept below high daily limits.
Concentrated EGCG carries a rare liver-injury risk the tea doesn't.

Nota dal campo

This is the clearest 'the pill isn't the food' case in the database. The tea is great; the high-dose extract trades marginal benefit for a real liver risk. Grade C, with a safety asterisk.

Molecole correlate

ResveratrolC CurcuminC

Come assegniamo i gradi → Metodo