You should’ve heard about green tea before, considering it’s one of the most consumed beverages made of the leaves of Camellia sinensis. Some of you probably like its bittersweet taste, while others prefer fruity flavors.
However, we must agree that this Eastern Asian green sorcerer has some incredible health benefits: supporting metabolism, promoting strong immunity, and complementing weight loss.
But what about the green tea extract? Is it the same as green tea? Let us explain the main differences.
Green Tea Extract vs. Green Tea
Simply put, green tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis leaves, and green tea extract is a supplement (herbal derivative) made from the leaves of the green tea plant.
For one thing, both contain the same compounds, like antioxidants and flavonoids. That said, at times, the extraction might leave out some nutritious content from the green tea extract formula.
Long story short, the best green tea extract capsules or powders are a concentrated form of green tea leaves
If you dislike the green tea taste, though, you shouldn’t steer clear of its extracts. Even though the extract comes in different forms, it will most certainly provide similar health benefits.
As mentioned before, green tea and green tea supplements contain the same compounds. Both are high in antioxidants (polyphenols, catechins, EGCG), which are basically the essential tools for fighting various health problems.
The Green Tea Extract Benefits
From improving skin health to helping your brain, here are some of the best known green tea extract positive effects:
- Green tea supplements protect your brain cells from oxidative stress.
- They can help improve your memory.
- The main compounds of green tea supplements are catechins and caffeine, which, when combined, can help you lose weight. Moreover, green tea can boost thermogenesis, making your body burn more fat.
- Green tea supplements can reduce inflammation.
- These supplements can also improve skin health.
These are some of the main health benefits of green tea extract. Now let’s talk about the side effects.
The Green Tea Extract Side Effects
Some of the potential side effects might include:
- Sleep problems. More than 10% of adults in the US have chronic insomnia. If you’re one of them, you should avoid taking products that contain caffeine (like green tea) before going to bed.
- Jitters and nervousness. These may also occur due to caffeine intake.
- Stomach cramps. This usually happens if you take the pills on an empty stomach.
What’s The Right Dose?
Our team suggests that you discuss the green tea extract dosage for weight loss or other health concerns with your health provider so that you can determine the daily dose that is right for you.
For example, if you take capsules, you should take only one or two per day with a meal, never on an empty stomach. If you decide to take green tea powder, you need to mix it with water or other liquid. Don’t forget to shake it.
Never exceed the recommended dose, and if the product contains caffeine, don’t consume it before bed.
Notes on How to Find the Best Green Tea Supplement for Weight Loss
With so many brands out there, it can be hard to find the product that will fit your needs and help you meet your goals, whether to lose weight or improve your metabolism.
Unlike the meal replacement shakes, these supplements are not supposed to substitute the food intake but to be an additional help in your fight against those extra pounds.
With that in mind, when looking for the best supplement, always start with the ingredients. If you’re a vegan, make sure there are no eggs, dairy, gelatin, fish, and shellfish in the product.
Next, you need to check the caffeine content. While the best-rated green tea extract products contain a small dosage of caffeine, some brands also produce decaffeinated versions. In fact, if you’re sensitive to caffeine (or you want to avoid it altogether), you should go with decaffeinated pills.
When it comes to brands’ transparency, always go with the ones that offer COAs and third-party test results.
And lastly, consider the price-value ratio by looking into the number of servings per container. That and the recommended daily use will point to the possible duration of the supplement.
The key points provided above should guide you in locating the best green tea extract supplement for weight loss or any other health concern of yours.
