Beneficial effects of green tea on age related diseases

Abstract

Green tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceace), has been extensively studied for its putative effects in prevention of age related diseases. Here, we discuss the increasing evidence that consumption of green tea has preventative effects in obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The catechins in green tea has been found to be beneficial in obesity induced by a high-fat diet. These effects are mainly attributable to the gallate esters of catechins, (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG).

Keywords

• green tea; obesity; hypertension; insulin resistance and diabetes; plasma cholesterol; atherosclerosis; metabolic syndrome