Green Tea Supplements
The increasing popularity of green tea has made possible the creation of green tea supplements. These supplements cut the necessity of drinking tea and at the same time, deliver an increased concentration of anti-oxidants. High quality supplements though, are hard to find, as most of them are sold as natural “diet pills” by hundreds of companies that only work out of a generic formula.
If you are considering buying a green tea supplement, you should start by taking a look at its potency. In general, liquid extracts have a higher concentration than capsules; you should read the label for specific information on the amount of catechins, EGCG and caffeine. If you find that this information is vague or not featured in the package, you better opt for a different brand.
Another factor to keep in mind is the quality of the herb used for the supplement. With green tea supplements we lack of the “clues” to assess the quality of the tea: the smell, its color and the taste. This is used as an “advantage” to certain manufacturers who then use the crops with less quality and with herbicides. IF you want to protect yourself from this unethical practice, you should research and ask the manufacturer and opt for supplements that are herbicide-free. Remember that this industry is not regulated by the FDA.
Green tea contains caffeine, and in some cases, extracts and supplements contain higher levels of it. Although moderate consumption of caffeine can prove to be beneficial, you can also opt for a caffeine free solution if you need to avoid it for medical reasons.
Finally, I would recommend you to opt for well-known manufacturers of green tea supplements. These are well established companies that have been long in the business and have all the necessary to produce high quality green tea extracts. But still beware of all the marketing used to promote the supplements. It should take a little effort to find a great green tea supplement, but once you find it, it is totally worth it.
