EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)

Also known as: green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate

WellnessWeight Management

In plain English

EGCG is the main active antioxidant in green tea. It is used in weight-management and wellness products for a modest effect on fat burning and cholesterol. Human studies show high-dose green tea extract can produce small reductions in weight and LDL cholesterol, but the effect is modest. Importantly, high-dose concentrated extracts have been linked to rare but real liver injury, so dose and liver monitoring matter.

The science

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the predominant catechin in green tea, with antioxidant activity and effects on fat oxidation and lipid metabolism (partly via catecholamine/COMT modulation and AMPK). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, high-dose green tea extract (~857 mg EGCG/day) produced significant reductions in body weight and LDL cholesterol in women with central obesity (Chen et al., 2016), though effect sizes are modest and results across trials are mixed. The main safety concern is idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity with high-dose concentrated extracts (recognized by regulatory and herbal-safety bodies). It is a dietary-supplement ingredient, not an FDA-approved drug.

References

• Chen IJ et al., Clin Nutr 2016 (high-dose green tea extract, weight and LDL)