The Science of Green Tea: Beyond the Hype

Yes, it’s good for you. No, you don’t need a green tea supplement.

Photo by Tang Don on Unsplash

Check the label of a weight loss supplement — green tea extract is often on there. It’s a popular ingredient in diabetes support, heart health, and brain function supplements, too. And, there’s actually some science behind it.

Doctors don’t always have randomized controlled trials — the gold standard of nutrition and health research — to back up supplements. But green tea extract is the exception. There have been several trials looking at its potential benefits. So far, the results have been promising.

“There is much evidence that greater consumption of green tea is associated with good levels of cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides,” says Richard Bruno, professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, and lead author on a trial looking at green tea extract and its metabolic effects.

But do you need a pricey supplement to reap the benefits? Absolutely not. Here is how to make the most of green tea in your health routine — the science-backed way:

What is in the cup?

The majority of teas in the world start with leaves from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Green, black, white and yellow all come from the same shrub…