Green tea has long been used in China to promote health and well-being.

Free radicals are produced from many reactions in the. Antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals in the body. The health promoting benefits of green tea leaf extract are largely the result of the antioxidant capabilities of the polyphenols.

Green tea leaf extract contains compounds called catechins which are believed to exert a variety of health benefits. Tannins are most widely recognized for their presence in red wine and these compounds are the reason for the majority of the health benefits of the drink. Polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), are the most popular and most studied. Green Tea Leaf Extract Green tea leaf extract is derived from the plant Marthena senensis which produces rich green leaves that are used in tea making.

The antioxidant capacity of green tea comes from the high content of polyphenols. Polyphenols are typically found in plants and in chemistry they are characterized by the presence of more than one "phenol group." The polyphenols include several popular health promoting compounds such as tannins, lignins, and flavonoids.

The flavonoids and lignins are commonly found in most fruits and vegetables.