LE Magazine April 2008
New Research on the Health
Benefits of Green Tea
By Julius Goepp, MD
In laboratories around the globe, green tea is sparking
tremendous excitement as new health applications keep
The most active green tea constituent is called
epigallocatechin gallate. This unique flavonoid favorably
alters pathways underlying pathological processes such
as cancer,1-4 cardiovascular disease,5,6 diabetes,7
obesity,8 and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.9-11
All of this points to green tea as a broad-spectrum
nutrient that may promote long life.4,12
Green tea is consumed routinely in Asian populations, who have greater
longevity and lower mortality rates for diseases that are prevalent in
Given the huge scientific literature supporting the positive role of green tea
in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, not to mention its benefits in
helping to prevent cancer and other diseases, as well as its lack of toxicity,
there isample reason for consuming green tea poly-phenols on a regular
In this article, we have interviewed international scientists on their current
research into the myriad life-extending and life-enhancing benefits of green
Abundant Research Confirms Green Tea’s
Population-based studies13-15 and clinical trials4,16-20 have shown that
green tea consumption is beneficial to human health, particularly in
individuals who drink five or more cups of this beverage a day.6 Two
Japanese studies suggest that those who drink several cups of green tea
daily avoid premature cardiovascular death, which may help them live longer
than subjects who consume less green tea.14,21
Green tea’s benefits for cancer protection and heart health have been
confirmed by extensive research in cell culture22 and in animal
experiments.23,24 Laboratory studies have also shown that green tea may
help protect against loss of brain cells,9,25 bacterial and viral
infections,18,26 allergies,27 arthritis,28 and decreased bone mineral
density,29 among other health concerns.30,31 A clinical trial in human
volunteers has also revealed that a green tea preparation helps improve
immunity and prevents cold and flu symptoms.18
Swen Wolfram, PhD, from Basel, Switzerland, tells
Life Extension, “Due to the tremendous interest of
the public and the scientific community, the health
benefits of green tea were extensively investigated
during the past few years. No other traditional
beverage has received such widespread scientific
attention, and knowledge about its positive effects is
exceptional. The various health benefits of regular green tea consumption
may finally result in a prolonged life span.”
Pon Velayutham Anandh Babu, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University in Blacksburg, tells Life Extension. “Recent studies suggest
that green tea possesses various health benefits on cardiovascular disease,
cancer, diabetes and diabetic complications, and oral health. The
antihypertensive effect, antibacterial effect, antiviral effect and
neuroprotective effect of green tea [are] also reported.”
The diverse benefits of green tea may arise from its unique constituents,
which confer powerful antioxidant capacity. Green tea is particularly rich in
healthful polyphenols known as catechins, the most abundant of which is
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).5 This potent antioxidant effectively traps
reactive oxygen species, or free radicals,1,4 which are common culprits in
aging and chronic degenerative diseases. A Japanese study recently reported
that taking a single dose of green tea catechin extract equivalent to drinking
five cups of green tea a day improved the plasma antioxidant capacity of
EGCG Protects Against Cancer
Laboratory studies suggest that EGCG works at the cellular level to intervene
against various cancers, including cancer of the breast,33,34 pancreas,35
mouth,36 colon,37 and prostate.38,39
According to results from several epidemiological studies, individuals who
drink green tea regularly may have less frequent or less severe cancer in
various areas of the body, including the ovary,40 prostate,13,41 and head
and neck.42 There is some evidence suggesting that regular intake of green
tea at a level of more than three cups daily may reduce the risk of lung
cancer in smokers.43 Even more encouraging is a recent intervention study
confirming the preventive effects of green tea catechins in prostate
cancer.44 Clinical trials in other types of cancer are ongoing.1
“The main evidence suggesting that green tea (and tea
in general) is beneficial to human health has generally
been studies relating to the ‘Asian paradox’—specifically
that Asians exhibit behavior (e.g., smoking) that has
been associated with heart disease and cancer for a long
time in North America, yet their rates of these diseases
are much lower,” Sean Eddy, PhD, a research associate
in biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine,
tells Life Extension. “Green tea consumption, with its
high levels of antioxidant flavonoids such as EGCG, has
been noted as one of the potential reasons for this.
Green tea works on multiple levels from protection and
prevention to treatment, blocking inflammation and
Epidemiological and population-based studies have also shown that young
Asian women migrating to the US dramatically increase their lifetime risk of
developing breast cancer and of dying from breast cancer, which suggests
that environmental rather than genetic factors explain the “Asian
“Studies in Japan show that drinking three to six cups of green tea a day can
have a protective effect against patients in remission treated for early-stage
breast cancer,” Dr. Eddy says. “Green tea and/or EGCG has been shown to
inhibit every type of cancer cell, at least in [a laboratory] setting. It’s also
been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, cholesterol-
lowering, and potentially antiviral and antibacterial agent, which would
explain green tea’s protective effect in heart disease.”
At the molecular level, EGCG directs cell signals that block harmful or
dangerous activity that could lead to the uncontrolled growth characteristic
of cancer cells.48
The cancer-preventive effects of green tea may be at least partly explained
by the interaction of EGCG with a recently identified cellular-control
mechanism (known as the 67-kDa laminin receptor), according to Dr.
Wolfram.49 Green tea has been shown to suppress tumor growth by
blocking angiogenesis, or formation of new blood vessels supplying the
Studies by Dr. Eddy’s group have shown that green tea
also inhibits a growth factor receptor called HER2, which
is present in excess in about 30% of breast cancers and
is associated with poor outcomes. Not only does EGCG
inhibit growth of breast cancer cells in mice, but in one
study it blocked the growth of breast cancer cells taken
from a patient who did not respond to treatment with an
antibody against HER2. Known as trastuzumab, this
antibody is often used for immunotherapy in patients
with HER2-positive tumors. Unlike trastuzumab, EGCG
can enter into the brain, making it potentially useful in
patients with breast tumors that have spread to the brain.51
Through a cascade of intermediate signals, HER2 inhibition ultimately
induces a protein that dramatically suppresses tumor growth. Other studies
have shown that EGCG and green tea block other signaling cascades
involved in the proliferation and spread of cancer.52
“All of these cascades are important in cancer, heart disease, diabetes
and/or inflammation,” Dr. Eddy says. “If you block their activation, you
significantly block disease progression. While drug companies attempt to
target one specific cellular target, green tea polyphenols affect a plethora of
pathways, which makes it potentially better as a real therapy.”
EGCG Protects Cardiovascular Health
Green tea acts in many other ways to promote cardiovascular health. Thanks
to potent antioxidant activity, green tea and EGCG scavenge damaging free
radicals, or reactive oxygen species that cause cellular injury leading to
Heart disease can develop in many ways, such as:
Inflammation of blood vessel walls and proliferation of the muscle cells
within blood vessel walls, which contribute to atherosclerosis.
Endothelial dysfunction and constriction of blood vessels, which reduce
blood flow to the heart muscle and increase blood pressure.
Abnormal platelet aggregation within blood vessels, which can lead to
a deadly heart attack or stroke.
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), particularly when oxidized,
which further aggravate all of these problems.
Amazingly, green tea can help protect against all of these culprits leading to
heart disease and stroke.55-60 In a well-controlled study, human volunteers
showed short-term improvements in blood flow with EGCG compared with
“Green tea has been reported to beneficially impact parameters associated
with cardiovascular dysfunction including lipoprotein oxidation, vascular
inflammation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, platelet
aggregation, and vascular reactivity,” Dr. Babu says, referring to his own
laboratory studies.61-63 “Catechins, the major polyphenolic compounds in
green tea, exert vascular-protective effects through multiple mechanisms
including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antithrombogenic,
antiproliferative and lipid-lowering effects. Green tea catechins were also
reported to regulate vascular tone.”
Epigallocatechin gallate also activates endothelial nitric
oxide synthase in cells lining blood vessels, or
endothelial cells,58,64,65 which Dr. Wolfram says may
partially explain the cardiovascular benefits of green tea
consumption. Increased release of nitric oxide causes
smooth muscle within the blood vessel wall to relax,
thereby increasing the diameter of the blood vessel and
improving blood flow.
Another important mechanism may be that EGCG
reduces the expression of cellular chemicals known as
cytokines, which promote inflammation underlying
atherosclerosis and heart disease. Epigallocatechin
gallate may therefore inhibit inflammation and proliferation of smooth
muscle cells within the blood vessel wall, thereby preventing vascular
“Green tea and EGCG were shown to reduce atherosclerosis and improve
arterial compliance and endothelial function,” Dr. Wolfram says. “Regular
green tea consumption is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular
disease such as stroke and myo-cardial infarction [heart attack].”
In further research, a clinical trial led by Japanese researcher, Nagao
Tomonori, evaluated the effect of a green tea extract rich in catechins on
risk factors for cardiovascular disease.17
“The continuous ingestion of [green tea extract] reduces body fat,
cholesterol levels, and blood pressure in females and males without
changing their lifestyles,” Dr. Tomonori tells Life Extension. “We found that
increased beta-oxidation (fat burning) in the liver by catechins was
associated with the reduction of intra-abdominal body fat, [which] is known
to secrete factors causing various chronic diseases. Therefore, its reduction
will reduce the risk of lifestyle-related chronic diseases.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: GREEN TEA
Population studies in humans, laboratory studies in animals and in cell
culture, and clinical studies in human subjects suggest a wealth of
health benefits associated with green tea.
Green tea is rich in healthful polyphenols, particularly a catechin
known as EGCG, which is a potent antioxidant.
Green tea may help prevent or manage cancer, heart and vascular
disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological
degenerative diseases, bacterial and viral infections, and other
In Japanese populations, green tea consumption has been linked to
longer life, especially in subjects drinking five cups or more daily.
Western populations consume relatively little green tea.
Green tea extract supplements may facilitate adequate consumption
for maximal health benefits—without requiring lifestyle changes.
Green tea supplements also avoid potential risks of esophageal cancer
associated with drinking hot tea. This risk is thought to be related to
the high temperature of traditionally prepared tea, because green tea
itself has no known toxicity.
In addition to the mechanisms described above, Dr. Tomonori notes that
EGCG also inhibits an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol
production. He recommends additional research to determine how EGCG
ameliorates cardiovascular risk factors and to study the effects of green tea
in non-Japanese nationalities.
“The most important treatments for obesity and cardiovascular diseases
should be obtained by an appropriate lifestyle such as balanced diet and
exercise habits,” Dr. Tomonori says. “Continuous ingestion of a [green tea
extract] high in catechins might assist this.”
The largest population-based study to date of the effects of green tea on life
span is the Ohsaki study of more than 40,000 Japanese adults followed for
up to 11 years.14 When enrolled in 1994, participants were 40 to 79 years
old and had no history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer. The
study found that drinking more green tea protected against death from all
causes and against death from cardiovascular disease, particularly from
stroke, but not against death from cancer.
During follow-up, there were 12% fewer deaths from all causes in men and
23% fewer deaths in women who drank five or more cups of green tea per
day, compared with those who drank less than one cup. Even more
strikingly, there were 31% fewer cardiovascular deaths in women who drank
five or more cups per day, compared with those who drank less than one
Lead investigator of this study, Shinichi Kuriyama,
MD, PhD, tells Life Extension, “We have confirmed
that green tea consumption is associated with
reduced mortality due to all causes, cardiovascular
disease, but not cancer. Our study provides strong
evidence regarding benefits of drinking green tea in
humans on cardiovascular disease, but not cancer.”
Dr. Kuriyama, an associate professor of Epidemiology, Public Health, and
Forensic Medicine at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in
Sendai, Japan, points out that previous studies have suggested green tea
may reduce cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and obesity,
which may partly explain improved survival linked to green tea consumption.
Surprisingly, however, his study showed a protective effect of green tea
drinking even in lean subjects and in those with normal blood pressure.
“Therefore, mechanisms other than the effects on traditional cardiovascular
disease risk factors might play a role,” Dr. Kuriyama says. “A number of
biological mechanisms including radical scavenging and antioxidant
properties have been proposed for the beneficial effects of green tea in
different models of chronic disease. Green tea polyphenols might directly
affect atherosclerosis itself, irrespective of traditional cardiovascular disease
Green Tea and EGCG May Help Prevent
Because diabetes and cardiovascular disease share some of the same risk
factors, particularly obesity, it is not surprising that green tea, by
ameliorating these risk factors,17 can help protect against diabetes as well
as against heart disease.6-8
“Subjects with long-term consumption of green tea are characterized by a
lower percentage of total body fat, smaller waist circumference, and
decreased waist-to-hip ratio,” Dr. Wolfram says. “In intervention studies, it
was shown that consumption of green tea can reduce body weight and
abdominal fat as well as increase fat oxidation and energy expenditure.
Furthermore, green tea consumption may reduce the incidence of type 2
diabetes and improve glucose control and insulin sensitivity.”
The exact mechanism of how green tea helps control overweight and high
blood sugar is not completely understood, and probably involves several
different hormonal and metabolic mechanisms.8 However, Dr. Wolfram
notes that EGCG regulates genes involved in fat oxidation and storage, as
well as genes involved in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.66-68
Amazingly, EGCG can even improve survival and function of insulin-secreting
pancreatic islet cells grown in the laboratory, and could have future
applications in enhancing the success of pancreatic islet cell
transplantation.69 Furthermore, EGCG suppresses glucose production by
liver cells.70 Drinking green tea was shown to improve glucose metabolism
in healthy human volunteers,71 and in a population study, women who
drank four or more cups of tea per day had a tendency toward lower
diabetes risk, compared with women who drank no tea.72
Extensive studies by Dr. Babu’s group of the effects of green tea and its
catechins in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.53,61,62,73 have
shown that green tea helps optimize glucose utilization, thereby reducing
blood glucose levels.
“Green tea administration significantly reduced elevated serum glucose level
in [drug]-induced diabetic rats and increased glucose tolerance in normal
rats,” Dr. Babu says. “Green tea also has been shown to lower blood glucose
level both in [chemically induced] diabetic mice and a genetic model of type
By lowering glucose production in liver cells and decreasing the activity of
genes that enhance glucose production, “EGCG was reported to mimic
insulin,” Dr. Babu explains. “Green tea also reduced accumulation of
cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglycerides in the heart of diabetic rats.”
The chronic, disabling complications of diabetes result from changes to the
blood vessels in the limbs, eyes, kidneys, heart, and other organs. In the
presence of high blood sugar levels, these complications arise when
damaging byproducts of sugar metabolism, called advanced glycation end
products (AGEs), interfere with cross-linking of collagen in connective tissue.
Abnormal collagen fiber cross-linking contributes to fibrosis, in which the
heart muscle and other tissues become increasingly dysfunctional as they
stiffen and become rigid, much as pliable metal wires linked together can
form an impenetrable coat of armor. Once again, green tea may intervene in
this disease process.53,74
“Green tea extract administration reduced the accumulation of collagen,
extent of glycation, formation of advanced glycation end products and cross-
linking of collagen in [chemically induced] diabetic rats,”
Dr Babu says. “In our study, we proposed that green tea may have a
therapeutic effect in the treatment of glycation-induced complications of
Green Tea Catechins Protect Brain Cells
As with heart disease and other chronic diseases, oxidative damage and
inflammation also underlie the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease and other
neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. The antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory effects of green tea catechins may once again come to the
“Recently, it has been hypothesized that green tea consumption may reduce
the risk of degenerative brain diseases,” Bradford L. Frank, MD, MPH, MBA,
assistant clinical professor at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences says. “There is now a large body of scientific evidence,
experimental and epidemiological, demonstrating that certain natural
compounds, such as catechins from green tea, improve age-related cognitive
decline, and are neuroprotective in animal models of Parkinson’s disease,
Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS), and other brain diseases.”
One such animal model of Alzheimer’s disease is a mouse strain that shows
accelerated loss of brain cells (atrophy) and memory impairment with aging.
The effects of green tea in this model have been studied extensively by
Keiko Unno, PhD, an associate professor of Bioorganic Chemistry at the
University of Shizuoka in Japan.76
“We found that the learning and memory abilities were higher in aged mice
that had drunk water containing green tea catechins than those in same-
aged mice that had drunk water (control),” Dr. Unno tells Life
Extension.“Moreover, brain atrophy was suppressed in aged mice drinking
green tea catechins. These results suggest that consumption of green tea is
beneficial to prevent cognitive dysfunction.”
Similar benefits of green tea polyphenols on behavior, learning, and changes
in the brain have been seen in other mouse models of Alzheimer’s
disease.77,78 Even young, healthy rats given long-term supplementation
with green tea catechins in their drinking water show improved memory and
learning compared with control rats, and these psychological benefits have
been linked to lower reactive oxygen species in the hippocampus, a brain
region involved in memory.79
Even more exciting, a population study by Dr. Kuriyama’s group15 showed
that in more than 1,000 Japanese adults 70 years of age or older, regularly
drinking more green tea is associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive
impairment measured on the Mini-Mental Status Examination, a
standardized test of memory and cognitive function. Compared with subjects
who drank three or fewer cups per week, those who drank one cup per day
had a 38% decrease in cognitive impairment. This significant protective
effect was not observed with black tea or coffee.
Dr. Unno notes that the concentration of green tea catechins used in his
animal experiments was only 0.02%, which is lower than the concentration
of 0.05-0.06% found in green tea consumed by humans. He therefore
suggests that daily consumption of several cups of green tea or the
equivalent may be protective in humans (which would be borne out by Dr.
Kuriyama’s study). Although the mechanisms by which green tea could
benefit cognitive function and neuroprotection are still unclear, Dr. Unno
suggests that the very high antioxidant activity of green tea catechins is
“Oxidative damage in proteins and DNA was lower in brain and other organs
of aged mice that had drunk water containing green tea catechins than [in]
control mice,” he says. Dr. Frank concurs that oxidative damage caused by
reactive oxygen species plays a pivotal role in the age-associated cognitive
decline and neuronal loss seen in neurodegenerative diseases, and that
green tea has powerful antioxidant effects.
“However, recent studies indicate that the antioxidant property of green tea
polyphenols is unlikely to be the sole explanation for their neuroprotective
capacity,” Dr. Frank says. “In fact, a wide spectrum of cellular-signaling
events may well account for their biological actions. There is substantial
scientific evidence supporting the beneficial effects of green tea on cognitive
function and its use as a natural neuro-protective substance.”
Death of nerve cells in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or other degenerative brain
diseases may result not only from oxidative damage, but from a complex
series of toxic reactions also involving inflammation, decline in protective
neurochemicals, excess iron, and accumulation of harmful proteins such as
amyloid-beta, the biochemical hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Because
EGCG may help interrupt this chain reaction, it may potentially have
preventive or therapeutic value in Alzheimer’s disease9 and in Parkinson’s
“Green tea flavonoids (catechins) have been reported to possess metal
chelating (binding and removing excess iron, for example), antioxidant, and
anti-inflammatory activities, to penetrate the brain barrier, and to protect
[against] neuronal death in a wide array of cellular and animal models of
neurological diseases,” Dr. Frank says. “Evidence is increasing that green tea
flavonoids can protect cells from [amyloid-beta]-mediated neurotoxicity. The
main polyphenol in green tea, EGCG, exerts a beneficial role in reducing
[amyloid-beta] levels by a variety of cellular mechanisms.”
In Alzheimer’s disease and in other forms of memory impairment, brain
levels of acetylcholine, a chemical used by certain nerve cells to
communicate with each other, decrease. In an animal model of Alzheimer’s
disease,80 mice that regularly consumed tea polyphenols had higher brain
levels of acetyl-choline and significant reversals of memory and learning
deficits. “This finding suggests that tea polyphenol might be useful in the
treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” the researchers write.80
In Parkinson’s disease, oxidative stress is thought to play an important role
in nerve cell death. Green tea polyphenols may protect dopaminergic nerve
cells against such oxidative stress, offering important neuroprotective effects
against Parkinson’s disease.25
“It would be interesting to substantiate the neuroprotective effects identified
in cell culture and in [live animal] studies in well-designed intervention
studies in human subjects,” Dr. Wolfram says. “This could potentially have
implications for the age-related decline in memory and alertness and be
beneficial for subjects with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases.”
Practical Suggestions For Good Health With
The experts interviewed by Life Extension agreed that research to date
strongly supports the health benefits of green tea.
Dr. Wolfram believes that, “The most prominent health benefits are
observed in subjects consuming five or more cups of green tea per day.
Therefore, it is advisable that the general population increases green tea
consumption to approximately this level.” Indeed, many of the human
clinical trials highlighted in this report have used EGCG doses of up to 500
mg/day (equivalent to drinking up to five or six cups of green tea a day), in
yielding optimum benefits for cardiovascular health and for protecting
against cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative
However, Dr. Wolfram continues, “Unlike Asians, Europeans and Americans
do not consume green tea several times per day throughout the whole
year.” Use of purified green tea extracts may therefore be a viable
alternative that does not involve lifestyle changes, especially because some
Western consumers find the characteristic taste of traditional green tea
unpalatable. Dr. Wolfram also advises the consumer to buy only green tea or
extracts from well-controlled plantations.
“The food industry has recognized the health benefits of green tea catechins
and is actively doing research to be able to offer standardized products
which can help to support well-being and health of the consumer,”
Dr. Wolfram adds. “More results from well-designed, long-term, multicenter
studies with standardized green tea products could potentially transform a
beverage traditionally associated with a number of health benefits into an
evidence-based functional food.”
“Every little bit helps, but more [green tea] is probably better,” Dr. Eddy
recommends. “This is also the case with fruits/vegetables and other non-
processed foods with high antioxidant qualities, like blueberries and
Another reason that green tea supplements may be better than drinking
green tea is that the consumption of this traditionally prepared hot beverage
has been linked with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. 82,83
Scientists believe that large quantities of hot green tea may inflict local
damage that makes the esophageal tissues more susceptible to cancer.
Although total cancer mortality is not significantly different in Japan than in
the US, the Japanese age-adjusted rate of death from cardiovascular disease
is about 30% lower.
“Through a relatively low rate of cardiovascular disease mortality, the
Japanese now have the longest life expectancy in the world,” Dr. Kuriyama
concludes. “Although factors other than diet may also be contributory, green
tea, a harmless drink with no caloric value, might provide a clue to clarifying
the reason for Japanese longevity among dietary factors. In contrast,
drinking green tea at high temperature may be associated with increased
risk of esophageal cancer incidence and mortality; therefore, we recommend
that green tea should be consumed at moderate or low temperature.”
If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call
a Life Extension Health Advisor at 1-800-226-2370.
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