Does nature contain medicine? Ancient healers sure thought so.

Beyond natural remedies and plant medicines they discovered and prepared centuries ago, modern medical science has found plenty of its valuable medicines from the natural world, too.

It may surprise some to hear that even some of our most potent pharmaceuticals are manufactured from or even synthesized to mimic plant-and fungus-based medicines.

Yet, thereโ€™s still plenty of powers deep within plantsโ€”whether healing herbs or foodsโ€”that are overlooked for their healing potential nowadays.ย 

One of these such understated healing sources comes in the form of antioxidants. And one of the most antioxidant-rich plants weโ€™ve ever known is green teaโ€”along with one of its most potent antioxidants, EGCG.

WHAT DOES EGCG STAND FOR โ€“ AND WHAT IS IT?

If antioxidants are considered amazing natural nutrients, then EGCG should be regarded as one of the best.

EGCG stands for โ€œepigallocatechin gallate.โ€

There may be many analogs, derivatives, or close relatives of this antioxidant too, which go by slightly different names. These can include epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, or even epicatechin. Each of these may, or tend to, have similar benefits and actions as each other.

Though antioxidants of all sorts are found in a wide range of foodsโ€”and even though some vitamins and minerals are in and of themselves considered antioxidantsโ€”there are unique aspects of EGCG that make it stand out from the crowd.

ONE OF MANY AMAZING POWERS FROM GREEN TEA

For one, EGCG happens to be a leading compound found in green tea, known to be one of the healthiest herbs and beverages in the world.

Scientists have studied green tea over the years to discover what makes it so good for people. It turns out; itโ€™s more so the chemicals found in the plant that holds so much potential rather than the entirety of the plant itself.

After much research, EGCG was one of many chemicals in green tea that stood out for its interesting health effects.

So did other constituents like l-theanine, polyphenols, flavonoids, and more.

THE STAR OF THE SHOW: BENEFITS OF EGCG

Compared to other compounds unique to green tea, however, EGCG seems to outshine them all.

EGCG has come under some very intense study and interest since it could quite possibly be one of the most potent antioxidants out there. It may also be the central powerhouse behind what makes green tea such an exceptional healer.

But what can they do? The following are prominent 12 benefits of EGCG from green tea, as supported by scientific research and traditional use.

A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT

First things first: what makes EGCG so remarkable is its antioxidant actions.

A 2011 study is only one among many that have confirmed this. It also found that itโ€™s not just EGCG, but also all of its derivatives, that can have these benefits for people.

Getting these benefits could be just as simple as drinking green tea.

But they can also be obtainable in more convenient form as a daily supplement containing green tea extract.

What do antioxidants do for oneโ€™s health? For one, they scavenge free radicals. What this means is less inflammation, better health, and easier use of and release of energy, plus reduced experiences with sickness or energy slog.

REDUCE INFLAMMATION

The reduction of inflammation with the help of antioxidants is undoubtedly not to be underestimated.

But most donโ€™t realize these essential nutrients are pivotal for reducing any chance of inflammation, chronic or otherwiseโ€”and most people may not even realize that EGCG may be the best choice among these. Better yet, this green tea antioxidant could have therapeutic potential for inflammation in this regard.

In one study, the use of EGCG was shown to help with pain and inflammation of an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis.

So, not only can EGCG be responsible for tonic-like benefitsโ€”it could potentially be a pain-reliever, too.

HELP SOME NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

The term โ€œinflammationโ€ is pretty standard. But what about โ€œneuroinflammation?โ€

Studies show that many neurological problems and disorders, such as Alzheimerโ€™s disease and others, are caused by inflammation affecting the nervous system. Even better, studies show that as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, EGCG may help reduce this inflammation.

In more exciting developments, one study showed even more direct effects by EGCG on reducing the risks and symptoms of Alzheimerโ€™s disease.

Owing to these results, scientists are now in an earnest race to find Alzheimerโ€™s remedies in this botanical antioxidant. In the meantime, people may be able to reduce the disease risk with simple green tea, though more studies are needed.

BOOST MEMORY

If EGCG can help with symptoms of Alzheimerโ€™s and does so by healing neuroinflammation, then this could be some excellent news for memory.

People with memory problems may experience them for many reasons. But the principle underlying reason is neuroinflammation, which research has shown the antioxidant EGCG may be of help too.

Whatโ€™s more, some studies have put these memory-boosting properties to the test.

One study found that EGCG could help with memory problems and impairment caused by high blood pressure in test subjects, which created excess inflammation throughout the nervous system.

Is EGCG a bona fide memory-booster? Itโ€™s entirely possible.

HELP DEPRESSION

Alzheimerโ€™s, memory problems, and neurological disorders arenโ€™t the only things caused by inflammationโ€”or neuroinflammation, at that.

As it turns out, inflammation can play a significant role in many types of depression.

So, can EGCG thus have anti-depressant benefits? Not like an anti-depressant pill like Prozac, studies showโ€”but there could still be something to it. In one study, the antioxidant had beneficial effects on test subjects showing symptoms of depression and helped reduce them noticeably.

For issues like clinical depression, however, the jury is still out. For mild stress and depression, though, thereโ€™s a strong chance it could be naturally supportive.

GREAT FOR LIVER HEALTH

Setting aside EGCGโ€™s perks for the nervous system for a moment, there is also good evidence that this green tea compound could do wonders for other organ systems as well.

Think especially of the bodyโ€™s primary detox systems.

In one study, the use of EGCG stimulated healing in the liver and even reduced liver damage. Thatโ€™s rightโ€”EGCG could be a great support for liver health, and even naturally detoxifying.

This not only adds another boost for naturally fighting inflammation, but can also mean excellent things for naturally enhancing the immune system, too.

GREAT FOR KIDNEY HEALTH, TOO

On the one hand, taking EGCG from green tea or extract on the regular may mean a reduced risk of liver-related diseases, like fatty liver, for example. On the other hand, it also means you can kick out those cleanses, juices, and fasts.

This is because it could be great for liver health AND kidney health, too.

The kidneysโ€™ role in detox and cleansing is often overlooked, but it really shouldnโ€™t be. Without the kidneys and liver together in combination, no natural cleansing of the body would occur.

To prove this, in a recent study, EGCG was found to help reduce damage and inflammation in both the liver AND kidneys as an antioxidant.

GREAT FOR MENโ€™S HEALTH

Men everywhere, rejoice. Not only can EGCG help kick the nervous system and liver health in high gear, but it could also help issues with reproductive health that men face as they age.

Of all these, prostate issuesโ€”and especially cancerโ€”can be menโ€™s biggest fear.

Luckily, thereโ€™s a lot of evidence that EGCG from green tea might help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and maybe even fight it. In one study, the antioxidant shrank prostate tumors owing to specific interactions with androgen receptors in men.

REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER

But thereโ€™s great news for not just men, but people of all genders in a very real way: EGCG may slash down anyoneโ€™s risk of cancer. Just as with prostate cancer, it could one day be a target for fighting it or even be the source of powerful medicines in the future.

One study claimed it was the most potent anti-cancer compound in green tea.

Another showed it could help fight breast cancer while also supporting the radiotherapy used to fight against it. But right now, itโ€™s highly unlikely that EGCG is an anti-cancer magic bullet, and it canโ€™t be called a cancerย remedy. Still, scientists regard it as having a lot of intrigue.

FIGHT INFECTIONS

Thereโ€™s fighting cancer, but what about fighting infections? Research sheds light on that quality in EGCG, too.

A study in 2012 highlighted its effects as an antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial all in one.

It also revealed that EGCG could be an option for fighting antibiotic-resistant strains of viruses and bacteria, too, which could come in handy against certain illnessesโ€”including colds and flu. As of yet, though, these effects require a little more scientific exploration.

STIMULATE AUTOPHAGY

Take a dive deep, deep down to the cellular level of health in the body. Beyond what happens even with antioxidants fighting free radicals, EGCG incites something yet more microscopic: a process called autophagy.

EGCG can help with this, the bodyโ€™s natural cellular cleanup process of removing waste, downsizing dead cells, and expelling dysfunctional mitochondria that arenโ€™t serving the bodyโ€™s health anymore.

Studies support and show evidence of this, too. Think of it like the cellโ€™s self-cleaning or housekeeping service: unused clutter, waste, and matter has got to go.

If it sticks around, it will contribute to chronic inflammationโ€”so taking autophagy-stimulating antioxidants like EGCG can be very anti-inflammation healthy.

HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Could EGCG finally be the missing key or the magic secret for successful, rapid weight loss? Not quite.

Still, studies are showing EGCG might be the next best thing.

In one study, obese subjects began losing weight when taking EGCG daily. It appeared to do this by increasing fat metabolism and shifting overall metabolism into high gear, thus helping support and manage a healthier weight.

This doesnโ€™t mean itโ€™s time to drop all those other common-sense weight-loss approaches, however. Keep up that proper diet, exercise, and other lifestyle tipsโ€”though adding EGCG to the routine could be a helpful boost.

ATP ENER-G is our answer to those dealing with low energy, low focus, adrenal fatigue issues, brain fog, and more.

EGCGโ€™s many health benefits led us to include it as an energetic and integral part of our herbal supplement blend.

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