Green tea contains a type of polyphenol called a catechin. Catechins are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provideTrusted Source other health benefits.
The most well-known and abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which research has found may be involved in improving various health conditions or markers of disease.
Research suggests that drinking green tea may benefit cognition, mood, and brain function, possibly due to compounds in green tea like caffeine and L-theanine.
A 2020 study also suggested that green tea is linked with a 64%Trusted Source lower chance of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults.
That said, more human studies are needed to further explore this effect.
A 2022 review found that green tea’s ability to positively influence metabolism is enhanced with aerobic or resistance exercise.
That said, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary SupplementsTrusted Source suggests that while some studies do show an ability for green tea to improve how your body breaks down fat, its overall effect on weight loss is likely to be small.
While the evidence is mixed and inconsistent, researchTrusted Source has linked drinking green tea with a reduced chance of developing some types of cancer, such as lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
A 2020 review found that while experimental research shows a modest beneficial effect, scientists could not conclude any consistent effects of green tea on overall cancer likelihood. Additional high quality research is needed.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source showed that green tea was linked with lower levels of certain markers related to Alzheimer’s disease in people without current, known cognitive issues. Compounds such as EGCG and L-theanine may be responsible.
However, a 2023 study reported that drinking too much, 13 cups or more per day (all types of tea), could increase the chance of Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical evidence on how exactly green tea affects the human brain is lacking.
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