Decaffeinated green tea

w8lifter · 07-30-2002, 08:08 PM

Question

I've heard about the benefits of drinking green tea. Does it matter if the tea is decaffeinated?
Audrey / Virginia

Answer
Yes. Several studies show an association between consumption of green tea and reduction in the risk of cancer and heart disease. Green tea contains a family of naturally occurring chemical compounds called polyphenols. The main polyphenols in tea are catechins, which include the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG seems to inhibit cell growth and play a role in apoptosis (programmed cell death) — both of which appear to be important in the prevention and control of cancer. Polyphenols are also potent antioxidants that help prevent damage to cells and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol by free radicals. These two functions seem to inhibit atherosclerosis (formation of plaques in the arteries).

The process of decaffeination may affect the amounts of phenolic substances, including catechins. There are two methods used for decaffeination in the United States. One process uses a solvent called ethyl acetate to remove caffeine. The other process uses carbon dioxide and water (effervescence). Green tea decaffeinated by ethyl acetate retains about 30 percent of EGCG and other catechins. Green tea that is effervescently decaffeinated retains about 95 percent of these compounds. If the label doesn't specify which method was used to remove the caffeine, contact the manufacturer for this information.

It's uncertain whether decaffeinated green tea has the same health benefits as regular green tea because studies have mainly used caffeinated green tea. Although the effervescent method used to decaffeinate green tea preserves significant polyphenols and catechins, the composition of tea is very complex and other compounds also may play a role in imparting health benefits.

Mayo Clinic

Dr. Pain · 07-30-2002, 08:18 PM

Another gr8 article

Just want to mention that there are "Green Tea"capsules, they run about 8% caffeine by w8 (so a 500 mg cap has about 40 mgs of caffeine)....and some are standardized for the polyphenols and catechins at upwards and over 30%!

There is an incredible study with GT and 24 hour fat oxidation, and also the caps sure beat the 9 cups a day in the anti-cancer studies!

DP

Robboe · 07-31-2002, 11:14 AM

The flavonoids (or is is flavones? something that sounds like this anyway) in the tea can also block androgens at the receptor site, i believe.

Training God · 07-31-2002, 11:40 AM

I doubt very much that it would make a world of a difference though.
A lot of this stuff that comes from research are eye openers but aren't set in stone.

Robboe · 08-01-2002, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PowermanDL
I doubt very much that it would make a world of a difference though.

Yeah, true. I doubt a cup of green tea a day is gonna give you gyno, lol.

07-30-2002, 08:08 PM	#1
w8lifter Join Date: May 2001 Location: Around..... Posts: 14,964	Decaffeinated green tea Question I've heard about the benefits of drinking green tea. Does it matter if the tea is decaffeinated? Audrey / Virginia Answer Yes. Several studies show an association between consumption of green tea and reduction in the risk of cancer and heart disease. Green tea contains a family of naturally occurring chemical compounds called polyphenols. The main polyphenols in tea are catechins, which include the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG seems to inhibit cell growth and play a role in apoptosis (programmed cell death) — both of which appear to be important in the prevention and control of cancer. Polyphenols are also potent antioxidants that help prevent damage to cells and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol by free radicals. These two functions seem to inhibit atherosclerosis (formation of plaques in the arteries). The process of decaffeination may affect the amounts of phenolic substances, including catechins. There are two methods used for decaffeination in the United States. One process uses a solvent called ethyl acetate to remove caffeine. The other process uses carbon dioxide and water (effervescence). Green tea decaffeinated by ethyl acetate retains about 30 percent of EGCG and other catechins. Green tea that is effervescently decaffeinated retains about 95 percent of these compounds. If the label doesn't specify which method was used to remove the caffeine, contact the manufacturer for this information. It's uncertain whether decaffeinated green tea has the same health benefits as regular green tea because studies have mainly used caffeinated green tea. Although the effervescent method used to decaffeinate green tea preserves significant polyphenols and catechins, the composition of tea is very complex and other compounds also may play a role in imparting health benefits. Mayo Clinic

07-30-2002, 08:18 PM	#2
Dr. Pain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Get the Duct Tape...I'm Ripped Again! Posts: 11,239	Another gr8 article Just want to mention that there are "Green Tea"capsules, they run about 8% caffeine by w8 (so a 500 mg cap has about 40 mgs of caffeine)....and some are standardized for the polyphenols and catechins at upwards and over 30%! There is an incredible study with GT and 24 hour fat oxidation, and also the caps sure beat the 9 cups a day in the anti-cancer studies! DP Last edited by w8lifter : 04-06-2003 at 05:41 PM.

07-31-2002, 11:14 AM	#3
Robboe Designer Supplements Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Newcastle Posts: 5,151	The flavonoids (or is is flavones? something that sounds like this anyway) in the tea can also block androgens at the receptor site, i believe.
	Being held down by The Man

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Help!!!!	tedog1985	Supplements	16	06-20-2006 08:57 AM
Green Tea	Jodi	Diet & Nutrition	6	12-13-2005 04:52 PM
Benefits of Green Tea	w8lifter	Diet & Nutrition	2	10-02-2004 01:58 AM
Is this true?	Lord_of_the_GYM	Supplements	4	07-07-2004 12:56 PM
Green Tea	w8lifter	Diet & Nutrition	6	05-04-2002 09:23 PM

07-31-2002, 11:40 AM	#4
Training God Fat Fo Life Join Date: May 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 223	I doubt very much that it would make a world of a difference though. A lot of this stuff that comes from research are eye openers but aren't set in stone.