What’s ECGC Anyway?
You hear it all the time, drink green tea because it has EGCG, but what is EGCG really? EGCG stands for epigallocatechin gallate, one of four Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins found in plants. Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, or OPC’s, are bioflavanoids that help your body fend off free radicals that cause your body to age. Of these four OPC’s, epigallocatechin gallate is the most potent. Amongst the more than 4,000 chemical compounds found in tea, it’s the most important.
From what we’ve seen in the health news the past few years, EGCG is one phenomenal antioxidant. There seems to be more research about the health properties of green tea going on than just about anything else. It’s been connected with everything from slowing the growth of cancer cells to preventing arthritis. But exactly what do these studies show and can we believe all we hear about the benefits of drinking tea?
Here are some things you should remember when you read or think about the EGCG in tea. It’s definitely good for you and there is no evidence that it can do you any harm. However, despite what studies have shown, it’s premature to think that EGCG is a miraculous cure-all. While studies show a lot of promise regarding EGCG, that isn’t the same as proof. Even the study reports do not say that the scientists claim their results are proof.
If you read the wording in the reports given by the scientists, you will see that they never claim that their studies are proof. They use words like “indicate” and “would suggest”, and do so for good reason. It takes many years of testing and retesting a theory before the scientific community recognizes something as fact. Scientists must try many variations and combinations of factors to know for sure if their findings are accurate.
All tea has EGCG, just in different amounts depending on how much it’s processed. Green tea has more than black tea because it isn’t oxidized like black tea. Despite all the hype about the antioxidants in green tea, however, white tea has more EGCG because it’s barely processed at all. Therefore, you will get EGCG no matter which tea you enjoy while you wait for the scientists to decide how beneficial it is.
brewed on Feb 12th, 2010
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