Perfect Pairings for Green Tea Extract

January 30, 2017

Green tea was first adopted in Traditional Chinese Medicine about 5,000 years ago as a herbal treatment for a number of specific health issues; as well as being thought of as a general cure-all; refreshing the mind and spirit and enhancing overall health and vigour.¹

Today there is something of a Green tea fever happening, as Green tea is labelled a “superfood” and more and more of us across the globe are choosing Green tea to support healthy living.²

Green tea goodness

The natural, revivifying product that is Green Tea, comes from a hardy, perennial plant called Camellia sinensis. Green Tea is full of nifty, nutritious compounds, in particular, catechins, of which EGCG is the one to watch. Research has shown it to be a feisty little number, having antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic, and anti-hypertensive properties. Green tea and its extracts are also bursting with a bunch of the essential minerals and vitamins we require, including B Vitamins (2,3,6) Vitamin A, C , E. Also, Folate, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous and Manganese.³ The leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are specially harvested and processed to retain as much of the fresh potency and natural health-giving properties present.⁴

Range of uses

Support Weight loss
Relieve Headaches
Blood Sugar control
Energy booster
Support Cardiovascular health
Improve Mental alertness
Treat Fibromyalgia
Support Memory
Improve Cognitive function
Aid Digestive system
Treat Skin conditions
Detox aid
Improve Dental health
Help prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Boost Immune system
Cancer preventative
Stress relief
Overall feeling of well-being⁵

Synergistic relationships

Green tea as a health supplement is best buddies with a few other products that have been shown to be good for a spectrum of health conditions, and which combine well when taken with Green tea, for example, Acai; Coenzyme Q10; 5-HTP; and Plant sterols.

Acai

The Amazon Rainforest is home to the Acai Plant, where it grows naturally and belongs to the Palm family. Acai is nutritionally classified as a “superfood” able to boost energy levels, aid digestion and help protect our immune system.

Acai contains a flock of flavanoids; these are amazing antioxidants, which help prevent free radical damage and reputed to protect against a host of diseases.⁶ It’s amok with Anthocyanins, a particular type of flavanoid, which helps to keep our hearts healthy. Anthocyanins are also great for stopping the oxidation of cholesterol, helping to prevent high blood pressure.

Another fab thing about Acai is it’s full of fibre (44.2g/100g) which helps cleanse the colon, improving digestion. Fibre is fantastic for cardiovascular health too. So everyone’s a winner.

And of course, the Acai Berry contains vast amounts of vitamins and minerals, providing Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and E. It’s a super source of calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper too.

The berries are alive with amino acids also, which help to build and maintain new muscle protein, promoting energy production, stamina and strength.

And as if that isn’t enough, Acai is all about essential fatty acids, which help to promote heart health and a well-balanced nervous system.⁷

Acai and Green Tea: Perfect harmony

The Acai Berry and Green Tea plant are a perfect match. These two “superfoods” work in harmony further enhancing the beneficial effects of one another.⁸

Weight Loss: They are amazing together at being an antioxidant, assisting our body to burn more fat and increasing metabolism. Both possess properties which promote a healthy digestive system and good metabolism, meaning both work well in supporting weight loss, as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle. Green tea is said to increase the resting metabolic rate and thermogenesis of the body, ultimately expending more calories and EGCG has also been shown to oxidise fat, meaning it ‘burns’ more fat.⁹ The properties of Green tea that help us to lose weight, work in synergy with the fiber rich properties of Acai, which help our body to feel satiated.
Energy and vitality: Both Green Tea and Acai boast talents at reviving energy levels and relieving fatigue; and generally bringing about feelings of vitality.
Cardiovascular health: Green tea and Acai have been cited as being great for cardiovascular health.
Boost Immune system: Added to this, these two sensations of the plant world work well together because both are busy with a variety of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients which support the immune system and general good health and well-being.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 Is an enzyme naturally produced by our bodies and is present in every cell and tissue. Stress and ageing are cited as being factors that deplete our natural ability to produce this essential enzyme. It offers antioxidant protection and helps cells to produce energy, so a deficiency can cause lower energy levels and fatigue and cause our metabolism to slow down. Coenzyme Q10 is also pretty cool at neutralizing free radicals and going about its business maintaining healthy cells.¹⁰

Coenzyme Q10 and Green Tea: A marriage of true minds

Both Coenzyme Q10 and Green tea are both known for being powerful antioxidants; a match made in heaven at helping to manage our metabolism.

Weight loss: Both are reported to increase the rate of metabolism in the body, helping to support weight loss.
Energy and vitality: Increasing energy levels, and promoting feelings of vitality and strength.
Depression: These two beneficial products are also thought to help alleviate symptoms of depression, improve mood, increase mental alertness and generally make us feel good.¹¹
Cardiovascular health: Both Green tea and Coenzyme Q10 have been cited as being good for cardiovascular health.
Healthy skin: Coenzyme Q10 supports many of the other benefits of Green tea we’ve already shouted about, such as promoting healthy skin.
Detox Aid: And this pairing should also work well together as a detox aid.

5-HTP

5-HTP is a vital naturally occurring compound in the body and happens to be the most important active ingredient of the Griffonia Simplicifolia plant. Griffonia Simplicifolia is a vine plant that best grows on mountain slopes and termite hills of Central and West Africa. It’s been employed in this neck of the woods for centuries as a traditional herbal medicine, esteemed for its therapeutic and healing properties for a range of diseases.¹²

This is the interesting bit. 5-HTP converts directly into serotonin and melatonin in the human brain. These are neurotransmitters which are thought to help mood, brain activity, appetite, concentration, and regulate sleep patterns¹³ Serotonin has been cited as what makes us feel ‘happy’ and is a chemical naturally produced in our brain. 5-HTP is promoted, therefore, to help ease feelings of anxiety and bring about feelings of well-being and is recommended for those experiencing depression.¹⁴

It’s often used as an aid for many health conditions besides this, including appetite regulation and weight loss. The deal being when we feel good we tend to have a healthy appetite with regular eating patterns and a balanced diet. This is all, of course, a symbiotic relationship because healthy eating patterns, a good exercise regime and regular sleep patterns combine to help us feel good and to maintain a healthy weight. Not only this, 5-HTP is thought to increase feelings of satiety, as it’s believed to help replicate the effects carbohydrates have on serotonin levels.

5-HTP and Green Tea: Speaking the same language

Green tea, processed in a way to increase the antioxidant content present in the plant; and 5-HTP’s ability to supposedly neutralise free radicals and act as an antioxidant in a similar way to Green tea,¹⁵ means these two complementary supplements complement each other perfectly.

Weight loss: The antioxidant quality of both work to help our body to burn more fat and increase metabolism.
Energy and vitality: Both Green Tea and 5-HTP are reputed to help energize us, reduce feelings of fatigue and promote feelings of vitality.
Depression and Anxiety: Coupled with the positive effects 5-HTP can have on anxiety and depression the combination of Green tea and 5-HTP is thought to bring about a sense of wellness and general well-being.
Headaches and Migraines: Both of these supplements can also be taken together to help combat headaches and migraines.

Plant sterols

Plant sterols, often referred to as phytosterols, are fatty acid esters found in many plants and foods; beneficial to the heart’s health by reducing blood cholesterol, helping to manage hyperlipidemia and prevent the risk of heart disease while general promoting cardiovascular health. The European register of nutrition and health claims confirms that consuming Plant Sterols on a regular basis in the correct doses will help to reduce risk and severity of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).¹⁶

Plant sterols and Green Tea: The ideal team

Cardiovascular health: Both plant Sterols and Green tea have been shown to be good for the heart, reducing cholesterol levels and helping to promote a happy cardiovascular system.
Cardiovascular disease is typically caused by hypertension, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, hyperlipidemia and high cholesterol. Green Tea has been known to aid all of the above so is a good choice to use in conjunction with Plant Sterols to help keep heart and cardiovascular system in tip top condition.¹⁷
High Blood pressure: Green tea is also reported to reduce high blood pressure.