Unveiling the Truth About Green Tea’s EGCG Content

White Plains, NY, February 15, 2024 —  ConsumerLab.com, a trusted name in health and wellness, sheds light on the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) content in green tea. While EGCG is celebrated for its antioxidant properties, recent ConsumerLab tests reveal surprising variations in popular green tea products.
 

The EGCG Dilemma

• Expected vs. Reality: On average, a cup of green tea should provide 40 to 50 mg of EGCG. However, ConsumerLab discovered that two popular brands of tea provided less than 9 mg. Other products fared better, offering 29 mg to 118 mg per serving.
• Lead and Arsenic: Some green teas harbor small amounts of lead and arsenic. While these levels pose minimal risk for most adults, pregnant women should exercise caution with teas high in lead.
• Caffeine Spectrum: The caffeine content varies significantly across products, from a mere 1 mg to 80 mg per serving, which is nearly as much as in a cup of coffee.

Based on quality and amounts of EGCG provided, ConsumerLab’s selected Top Picks among brewable green teas, bottled green tea, and ceremonial matcha green tea. ConsumerLab also selected its Top Picks among green tea supplements.
 

Access the Full Report:

Discover detailed test results and comparisons for 21 green tea products, including brewable teas, matcha powders, bottled varieties, and supplements. Visit ConsumerLab’s Green Tea Review online.

The report includes test results and comparisons for 21 green tea products, including brewable teas from bags, matcha powders, bottled teas, and supplements. Twenty products were selected for testing by ConsumerLab: Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey, Bigelow Green Tea Classic, Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green, H-E-B Herbals Green Tea Extract, Ito En Unsweetened Green Tea, Jade Leaf Organic Ceremonial Matcha – Teahouse Edition, Kirkland Signature [Costco] Green Tea, Life Extension Decaffeinated Mega Green Tea Extract, Lipton Green Tea, Numi Gunpowder Green, Pique Sun Goddess Matcha, Rishi, Stash Decaf Premium Green, Tazo Regenerative Organic Zen, The Republic of Tea Decaf People’s Green Tea, Trader Joe’s Organic Green Tea, Traditional Medicinals Organic Green Tea, Twinings of London Green Tea, Vitacost Green Tea Extract, and Yogi Green Tea Pure Green Decaf. One additional product passed the same testing and was Approved through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program: GNC Herbal Plus Green Tea Complex 500 mg.

The review explains the clinical evidence for and against the potential health benefits of green tea, including effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, blood sugar and diabetes, memory and cognition, weight loss, and cancer risk. It also explains the best way to brew green tea to get a significant amount of EGCG, how different types of tea bags affect the release of microplastics in tea, and how to store green tea. The review also discusses potential side effects and drug interactions with green tea. A video with expert tips for choosing the best green tea is also available.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

How to Choose the Best Green Tea - Dr. Tod Cooperman, MD