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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Green Tea (EGCG)

aka Camellia sinensis · EGCG

Polyphenol-rich tea; EGCG modestly boosts metabolism and supports cardiovascular health.

Fat LossCardiovascular HealthHealthy Aging

Overview

Polyphenol-rich tea; EGCG modestly boosts metabolism and supports cardiovascular health.

Natural sources
  • Camellia sinensis
Common forms
  • Brewed tea
  • Matcha
  • EGCG extract

Mechanism of action

EGCG inhibits COMT (preserves catecholamines) and modulates DNA methylation.

Pathways
  • · COMT inhibition
  • · Thermogenesis

Effects on the body

Increases
Energy expenditure (~3–4%)
Supports
Antioxidant defense

Organ system effects

Liver

High-dose extracts can be hepatotoxic.

Evidence-based benefits

Modest weight loss (~1–2 kg) over 12 weeks

Moderate evidence

Reduces LDL cholesterol

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Caffeine effects
Rare
    Serious
    • · Hepatotoxicity at >800 mg EGCG/d fasted

    Drug interactions

    Nadolol
    Significantly reduces absorption.
    moderate
    Anticoagulants
    Vitamin K content.
    minor

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
    • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
    Avoid with these conditions
    • ·Bleeding disorders
    Avoid / monitor with these medications
    • ·Warfarin, DOACs, antiplatelets, NSAIDs (additive bleeding risk)
    Before surgery
    • ·Discuss stopping ≥2 weeks before scheduled surgery.

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with

    None listed.

    Avoid combining with
    • Fasted high-dose EGCG
      Hepatotoxicity risk.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    300–500 mg EGCG with food

    Where to buy

    Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

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    Thorne
    Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

    Scientific evidence (9)

    Meta-analysisCochrane Database · 2013

    Green tea catechins and cardiometabolic health

    Hartley L, et al.

    Cochrane review of green tea for cardiovascular prevention.

    Key findings

    Small but significant reductions in LDL and blood pressure.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — Modest weight lossover 12 weeks

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) Modest weight lossover 12 weeks" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "Modest weight lossover 12 weeks". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — Reduces LDL cholesterol

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) Reduces LDL cholesterol" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "Reduces LDL cholesterol". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Green Tea (EGCG) — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Green Tea (EGCG) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Green Tea (EGCG) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Green Tea (EGCG) — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Green Tea (EGCG) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.