Green tea supplements – just like their name reveals, are made from the extract of the tea plant. And just like black tea and oolong tea, green tea is made from died leaves of the tea plant or Camellia sinensis. However, to get a tea of different flavours, colours and strengths, the plant is processed using different production methods. Just like the traditional beverage version, the supplement alternative is getting increasingly popular because they are believed to promote health as well as help prevent and treat a range of health problems including cancer.
Despite the growing popularity of supplements, green tea is still most often consumed as a warm or cold beverage that is made from previously brewed dried leaves of the tea plant. People who prefer capsules, powder or liquid version over the beverage say its easier to take powder, capsules or liquid, with many adding they opt for supplements because they dislike the tea. Many people, however, also take green tea supplements because these are usually purified and contain only the healthy ingredients while being removed the unhealthy ones which may also include heavy metals. In addition, some green tea also contain reduced or no caffeine at all.
Green tea is still predominantly used as aromatic beverage but the number of people who regularly consume the beverage as well as its supplement counterpart has been continuously growing. This is because regular consumption – both as tea or otherwise – is thought to be very effective in prevention of a series of health problems including treatment and management of conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, Parkinson’s disease and even cancer. Green tea has also been recommended as genital wart treatment but for it to work, it needs to be applied topically as a special cream.
The popularity of green tea can also be attributed to its presumed cancer-fighting properties. It is thought to lower the risk of developing as well as help in treatment of many types of cancers including ovarian, breast, lung, endometrial, cervical and colon cancer, to list only a few. Unfortunately, scientific evidence for most of the claimed anti-cancerous properties is so far insufficient. The only exception are endometrial and ovarian cancers which have been shown to be less likely to be developed by women regularly taking green tea.
If consuming green tea moderate doses, most people don’t have to worry about safety. But if taken in high doses, it can cause unwanted side effect including potentially severe reactions. These can also occur if consumed over a prolonged period of time. These are mostly caused by caffeine content and may include diarrhoea, vomiting, insomnia (inability to sleep), tremor, nervousness and convulsions. Based on the results of a recent research, green tea can also cause damage to liver if taken in high doses.
Due to caffeine content, green tea shouldn’t be taken by people who are sensitive to caffeine unless opting for green tea with zero caffeine. Before taking any green tea supplements – including decaffeinated ones – or increasing consumption of green tea in its traditional form, you should also ask for medical advice if having a medical condition (especially if having problems with liver), taking any medications (including over-the-counter ones) or being pregnant.