Caffeine is the most widely available legal psychoactive stimulant drug. Also known as theine, methyltheobromine and trimethylxanthine, this xanthine alkaloid is not only found in coffee beans, but also in guaranine that is derived from guarana, mateine derived from mate, theine which is found in various teas and the kola nut, which is the base flavor of various Cola soft drinks. It stimulates the central nervous system, where it restores alertness and wards off drowsiness. Caffeine is also know to display certain diuretic properties, is an ergogenic, an atagonist of the adenosine receptors, and a cAMP levels increasing factor. It seems that caffeine helps prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease and in the long run lowers the possibility of developing a heart disease.

Epicatechin Gallate is a type of flavonoid normally extracted from green tea and buckwheat. It is a flavan-3-ol with chemical formula C22H18O10 and Mol. Mass 442.37 g/mol. Research shows that Catechins including Epicatechin gallate have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Its effects are being studied on scar formation which showed a significant increase in blood vessel formation, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2.. It also indicated a decrease in arginase-I activity and protein levels, which improved scars. The wound healing properties of Epicatechin gallate are also being studied on rats; preliminary research shows encouraging results.

Epichtechin

Epigallocatechin or gallocatechol is a flavanol which are a class of flavanoids. Its basic structure is composed of the 2-phenyl-3, 4-dihydro-2H-chromen-3-ol skeleton. This chemical occurs naturally and is found in green tea and fruits like the pomegranate and persimmon. It is an antioxidant. The chemical interacts with the cannabinoid receptors at a moderate level. These receptors have important implications in human physiology. This means that their activation generates health benefits. Flavanols also act to protect against sunburns, increase capillary blood flow, decrease blood pressure and keep the walls of the arteries in a relaxed condition. The chemical may also act as a building block for other important chemical compounds like proanthocyanidins.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which is also known under the name epigallocatechin 3-gallate, is the ester of catechin, gallic acid and epigallocatechin. It is found in tea and is believed to be one of the most important antioxidants today. Epigallocatechin 3-gallate is currently investigated for the inhibitory effects on the life cycle of HIV-1 virus, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, which causes AIDS. Although EGCG has shown significant benefits in laboratory studies, the clinical trials on humans have not been conducted yet. The antioxidant qualities of EGCG and the associated reduction of free radicals have made epigallocatechin 3-gallate a very popular supplement, especially with the body building and athletic communities. It is furthermore suggested that EGCG has therapeutic potential with several forms of cancer and in setting of liver fibrosis.

Green Tea Extract is very popular with the health conscious community, mainly because of the broad antioxidant features, which are provided by the green tea catechins. It is a very popular nutritional supplement, much more popular than regular green tea, because several green tea extract products have no caffeine. Caffeine is actually contained in larger quantities in green tea than in coffee. Besides the already mentioned catechins, further polyphenols are included in the Asian tea favorite. Green tea furthermore contains carotenoids, ascorbic acid – more commonly known as Vitamin C, Minerals and tocopherols. While there are many proven qualities of green tea extracts, some lesser researched effects have been observed, like reduction of LDL cholesterol, increasing the levels of norepinephrine, weight loss and additional antioxidant qualities.