Everything You Need To Know About EGCG

Everything You Need To Know About EGCG

Epigallocatechin gallate is a well-known compound that contains various health benefits. The studies have shown that the consumption of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has certain positive impacts on human health. 

Epigallocatechin gallate can quickly cure the problems such as weight loss, brain disease, inflammation, heart diseases, etc. there are various sources of consuming the EGCG, and the best one is green tea. The consumption of green tea is increasing tremendously among the young generation people. To better understand the compound, let us discuss it in detail.

 What is Epigallocatechin gallate?

Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is a plant compound known as catechin. In the group of plant compounds, there is further another category of catechins called polyphenols.

To prevent any cellular damage from free radicals consumption of the EGCG is advisable. Free radicals are the most receptive particles that automatically form in the human body, which further damages the essential cells if their number gets increased into your body. If you want to limit this free radical damage, eating a portion of food containing higher antioxidants is recommended.

Moreover, the research also suggests that the consumption of catechins such as EGCG may prevent various problems such as diabetes, chronic condition, some cancers, and heart diseases. The compound EGCG also exists in some foods naturally and is available as a supplement in solid form. 

List of foods in which EGCG is naturally found

As we have discussed earlier that a plant-based compound called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is also found in various food, so here is the list of plant-based food that contains EGCG naturally:

The EGCG is the most active compound found, especially in green tea. Therefore, the compound plays a vital role in producing green tea. 

Nowadays, most people like to have green tea and the various health benefits that green tea offers are only due to the presence of the EGCG compound in it. 

Apart from the predominant compound in green tea, EGCG is also present in some other foods in small quantities, such as:

Nuts: hazelnuts, pistachios, and pecans

Fruits: cherries, strawberries, peaches, kiwis, cranberries, avocados, blackberries, apples, and pears

Tea:  green, black, and white teas

EGCG offers various health benefits

Various studies related to animals, test-tube, and humans indicate numerous health benefits offered by Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Some common benefits provided by EGCG include improved brain and heart health, weight loss, and reduced inflammation.

To gain the advantages of EGCG, it is essential to know how EGCG can be used in curing various diseases. 

     1. Heart health

Research shows that the presence of EGCG compound in green tea helps in reducing the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels, cholesterol, and blood pressure, which further improves heart health. These are some of the reasons behind poor heart health, but EGCG works on all these risk factors and prevents heart.

The experiment on 33 people taking 250 mg green tea extract for eight weeks reveals a significant reduction of cholesterol in their bodies.

Whereas, another study has shown that people consuming around 379 mg of green tea extract daily for over three months had significantly reduced inflammatory markers, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

     2. Brain health

Early studies have shown that intake of Tea polyphenols Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea may prevent various brain diseases and improve neurological cell functions.

In some research on mice, it has also been found that the EGCG injections provide significant results in the recovery of neural cells in case of spinal cord injury and improve inflammation.

     3. Weight loss

Weight loss is a major concern these days. Due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical exercise, people generally gain more weight which further can cause many health problems. Still, the intake of EGCG compound present in green tea helps in reducing weight. 

Although some studies also suggest that consuming at least 2 cups of green tea in a day helps in reducing weight and also lower body fat.

Moreover, studies have also shown that intake of at least 100 to 460 mg of EGCG and caffeine for 12 to 13 weeks has a significant result in weight loss and reduction in overall body fat.

     4. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

The best feature of the Green tea extract Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) compound is that it has powerful antioxidant effects and a capacity to reduce the problem of inflammation and stress.