drtbear1967
Musclechemistry Board Certified Member
The main catechin in green tea, EGCG, prevents the proliferation of leukocytes – white blood cells that sometimes indicate the onset of skin cancer. EGCG also induces cancerous skin cells to perform apoptosis (cell suicide). So green tea appears to not only prevent sun damage, but may actually reverse it. It's also possible green tea may even afford some protection against melanoma.
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You need between 250 to 400 mg. of green tea extract to possibly protect yourself against sun damage. You can get that from a cup of green tea, which contains an average of 253 mg. of catechins. However, it's one particular green tea catechin, EGCG, that's performing all the magic. The average cup of green tea only contains about 50 milligrams. And some brands, like the Diet Snapple version, contains zero EGCG!
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Clearly, science is unsure of the perfect dosage, and it's even more problematical given that cups of green tea vary enormously in their catechin content. My advice would be to take a standardized green tea supplement (250 to 400 mg. per day), or hack your cup of green tea by boiling loose leaves for four minutes. This should multiply catechin content by up to 3-5 times. If you already use Biotest Superfood, note that it also contains a good amount of EGCG. If you're stuck with bags of green tea leaves, steep the hell out of them. Let them sit for 5-6 minutes. Or you could just drink multiple cups (2-4) of normally brewed, weak-ass green tea.
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You need between 250 to 400 mg. of green tea extract to possibly protect yourself against sun damage. You can get that from a cup of green tea, which contains an average of 253 mg. of catechins. However, it's one particular green tea catechin, EGCG, that's performing all the magic. The average cup of green tea only contains about 50 milligrams. And some brands, like the Diet Snapple version, contains zero EGCG!
-
Clearly, science is unsure of the perfect dosage, and it's even more problematical given that cups of green tea vary enormously in their catechin content. My advice would be to take a standardized green tea supplement (250 to 400 mg. per day), or hack your cup of green tea by boiling loose leaves for four minutes. This should multiply catechin content by up to 3-5 times. If you already use Biotest Superfood, note that it also contains a good amount of EGCG. If you're stuck with bags of green tea leaves, steep the hell out of them. Let them sit for 5-6 minutes. Or you could just drink multiple cups (2-4) of normally brewed, weak-ass green tea.
