EGCG. In the future you’re going to see these initials quite often. EGCG is short for epigallocatechin gallate, a substance found in certain herbsand in high amountsin green tea. Many of the benefits of drinking green tea are ascribed directly to EGCG.

You can obtain EGCG from drinking green tea or taking a green tea extract supplement which lists the amount of EGCG per capsule. On average, a cup of green tea will have roughly 100 mg of EGCG per 8 ounces. The amount of EGCG present in green tea varies with different brands of the product, the region the green tea is grown, the amount of brewing time, and the age of the green tea leaves. A cup of green tea may have as much as 20 mg of caffeine. (As a comparison, the average cup of coffee has 100 mg of caffeine.)

Let’s look at some of the published research to see if EGCG measures up to the claims you may have heard or read.

There have been few human studies directly evaluating EGCG. However, laboratory and animal studies are plentiful. In lab studies, EGCG has been found to be a potent antioxidant and to have anti-cancer abilities.¹ In animal studies, EGCG has been found to be potentially helpful in blood sugar control.² In human studies, EGCG has been shown to be helpful in reducing infection from HPV (human papilloma virus) in the cervix.³

Cancer Research

EGCG induces apoptosis in human cancer cell lines. Apoptosis means the death of a cell, and in the case of a cancer cell, apoptosis is a good thing. In test tubes, EGCG thwarts the growth of several cancer cells including prostate, breast, lungs, ovaries, and liver.^4-8

Cervical Dysplasia with the HPV Virus

EGCG, when given to women with cervical dysplasia at a dose of 200 mg per day for a period of 12 weeks, showed a positive response.3 EGCG may be a potential therapy regimen for patients with HPV infected cervical lesions.

Weight Loss

Research with EGCG and weight loss in humans is still quite early. At this time it appears that green tea and EGCG may help slightly with weight loss when used in high amounts.⁹ However, the long-term benefit versus potential risk of high EGCG consumption has yet to be determined.

Alzheimer’s Disease

In rodent studies, EGCG is able to prevent the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in brain tissue.¹⁰ Beta-amyloid is the substance believed to damage neurons in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Hence, it is possible that drinking green tea or taking an EGCG supplement could potentially reduce the risk for AD.

Summary

EGCG may have health benefits as a nutritional supplement for cancer, heart disease, certain viral infections, and neurodegenerative conditions, and perhaps weight loss. However, at this time we don’t know the long term safety of taking a high dose EGCG supplement by itself. It is clear from published studies involving Japanese green tea drinkers that long term drinking of green tea is safe and healthy.

References

1. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1999 Nov;125(11):589-97
2. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(3):55-65.
3. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2003 Oct;12(5):383-90.
4. http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/nutrprod/greentea.html
5. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407114633.htm
6. http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/5/915
7. Int J Cancer, 112:465-469(2004).
8. J Biomed Sci. 2003 Mar-Apr;10(2):219-27
9. Br J Nutr. 2005 Sep;94(3):432-6.
10. Neurosci. 2005 Sep 21;25(38):8807-14.

[Ed. Note: Ray Sahelian, M.D. is a practicing physician and the best-selling author of Mind Boosters. He is a leading authority on natural supplements and nutrition. For the latest research on organic ways to improve your health and well-being, click here.]

For more great articles like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to our free natural health newsletter!