Caffeine may be the most popular legal addictive stimulant that is available to mankind. Besides coffee, tea, guarana and kola nut have excess amount of this xanthine alkaloid, which is actually acting as a psychoactive drug. In several plants, caffeine is an effective insect repellant, but this trimethylxanthine is deemed by the Food and Drug Administration as generally safe food substance. It is an antagonist of adenosine receptors. The effect of caffeine is individual and may more or less increase the ability to perform physical and mental labor. It reduces the effects of fatigue and may in long term help predominantly men reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It has also been observed that caffeine has nootropic effects, furthermore, regular consumption of caffeine may significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases.

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, a bioflavonoid rich, potent extract used primarily for fighting free radicals. It contains a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids. Green tea extract contains a potent antioxidant, EGCG, which is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing the pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids in the brain. Green tea extract helps with thermogenesis and aids in the metabolism of fat. Green Tea has been used for years as a powerful antioxidant, it may also be helpful in shedding fat. The most obvious benefit to dieters is that it works without increasing the heart rate most often found in diet aids. The increased heart rate leaves dieters jittery and eventually, most dieters stop using the supplement and gain weight back. Now through using green tea extract, dieters get the weight loss benefits without any of the jittery effects, especially in obese individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.