Available as powder, capsules and liquid, green tea supplements are made of the very same plant that is used to make green tea as well as black and oolong teas – Camellia sinensis. To get different types of tea, however, the producers use different processing methods. Just like green tea, its supplement alternative is used for a long list of benefits for health which have been attributed to regular consumption of green tea. These include everything from promoting loss of excess body weight to lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of a range of diseases.
If you would like to benefit from consumption of green tea, you can either take it in the form of supplements as powder, capsules or liquid, or simply brew the dried leaves of the tea plant. Many people find it easier to take supplements, while many also choose this option because they are not fond of its taste. Furthermore, supplements typically contain only the best of the plant while being free of heavy metals and other potentially health-harming ingredients. Some green tea supplements are also free of caffeine or the latter is present in lower amounts, making them ideal for caffeine intolerant individuals.
Even though a growing number of people are consuming green tea for its health benefits, it is still most popular in the tea form due to its unique taste although some find it too bitter. The many health benefits of regular green tea consumption – either as a beverage or supplements – among other also include lowering high cholesterol, blood pressure regulation, relieving depression, diabetes management, diarrhoea treatment and prevention, treatment or/and management of a number of illnesses including osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease and even serious conditions as cancer. Green tea is also an effective genital wart treatment but it’s used in a form of a topical ointment.
Green tea consumption has increased tremendously world-wide due to its cancer-fighting properties. The beverage as well as the supplements are claimed to be effective in prevention of many types of cancer including cervical, endometrial, colon, breast, lung and ovarian, to mention some. However, research hasn’t yielded evidence firm enough to support the use of green tea for cancer treatment, prevention or management although women who regularly use it have been shown to be less likely to develop endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Green tea is considered safe but prolonged use and large doses can cause side effects. Besides health-boosting ingredients, the tea plant also contains potentially harmful substances including caffeine. Sensitive individuals can thus develop more or less severe caffeine-induced side effects. These can include one or multiple of the following symptoms: sleep difficulties, nervousness, diarrhoea, vomiting, irritability and convulsions. Besides caffeine, green tea has recently also been found to contain a chemical that poses a risk of liver damage.