Heart and Metabolic Health

Consuming green tea has been associated with lowered risk of several types of human cancers and cardiovascular disease. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent natural antioxidant, is the major chemopreventive agent in green tea. Anthocyanidins are colourful antioxidant compounds, found in high concentrations in fruits and berries, that protect against oxidative stress and maintain DNA integrity. Anthocyanidins also act as anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic agents, and by helping maintain vascular permeability offer cardioprotection. In human trials, supplementation with lycopene, a potent carotenoid antioxidant, has improved blood pressure, lipid peroxidation, LDL-cholesterol oxidation, protein oxidation, and symptoms of prostate cancer.