BULKSUPPLEMENTS.COMGreen Tea Extract Powder - Herbal Supplement, Green Tea Supplement, Green Tea Powder - Vegan & Gluten Free, 500mg per Serving, 1kg (2.2 lbs)

This brand was rated best on Labdoor.com. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in Green Tea and supplemental green tea extracts can can help curb inflammation. Catechins like EGCG and those found in dark chocolate have some down regulatory effect on MAO-B, this is important because this can help improve levels of dopamine by inhibiting its breakdown in the brain. It can also positively affect the production of serotonin by improving the bioavailability of relevant precursors such as tryptophan and its downstream product, 5-HTP. Improving serotonin levels without inhibiting reuptake can bypass some of the problems and side effects of reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) such as Prozac and Zoloft. Extracts are best absorbed on an empty stomach. EGCG is also known to reduce levels of an enzyme called “COMT”, which metabolises dopamine, breaking it down in your system. EGCG is also known to help improve insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels.

I've been drinking tea for years. Green tea, black tea, matcha, etc... . Well, I figured I'd give EGCG a try because I drink tea mainly for the health benefits and not because I'm particularly nutty for tea. Well, as most people know EGCG is the main tea ingredient that research point to perhaps being highly beneficial for a variety of ailments (I'm no scientist so I can't speak to the truth of those claims). Anyway, that's why I bought this product. And so far so good.I bought the powdered version (not capsules) and take two 1/8 teaspoon servings per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. It is extremely bitter by itself and not at all pleasant. But, i dissolve my 1/8 teaspoon in maybe an ounce of hot water at the bottom of a coffee cup and fill the rest up with some kind of juice (something with lots of vitamin c because I believe egcg uptake is more efficient when paired with vitamin c -- again, i'm no expert, but whatever!). Anyway, the juice makes the egcg taste like just juice, and I'm happy with it.So, bottom line -- don't listen to me for health advice! Do the research on that and come to your own conclusions. However, this is just what I do, and I'm quite happy so far.

As far as a green tea extract goes, this is about as good as it gets. I've noticed a few people accidentally buy this thinking it is green tea - it is not. It's an extract, so it won't have the pleasant flavor of a tea. It is orangish-tan, somewhat chalky, fairly bitter in taste, and a little difficult to dissolve in straight water. Like others, I've been using it in smoothies instead of trying to take it straight in water or a flavored drink, and have found it to add a slightly earthy taste to fruity smoothies that pretty much goes away the more green (veggie based) I make the smoothie. Unlike others, I did not notice a big increase in energy levels, but this was ok since I'm taking it more for the anti-cancer and anti-neurodegenerative benefits. Also...for me, the amount of caffeine is negligible and I do not even notice it despite the fact that I am not a coffee drinker and do not have a high caffeine tolerance. I did notice that when I tried to increase to using 1000mg at a time or even 2 doses of 500mg in a single day, I was more prone to nausea, so I will be sticking with a low dose in a morning smoothie.

I'm really into Green Tea for the health benefits. I decided to try this for the same reason as well as something to give me a little boost in the weight loss department. I'm 3 days into it so far. When my order arrived I opened the package and thought the color was interesting, I put some on my finger tip to check the taste. I likened it to a very strong cup of Green Tea. I started with 500mg but it was a little harsh on my stomach. So went to 250 mg and it's much better. I get some smooth energy without jitters. I put it in boiling water with honey and lemon for a high potency cup of Green Tea. I would recommend it. I plan to take a month long break once my current supply runs out.

I can only really comment now on delivery, taste, ease of use, because I've only had it for a week. It arrived on time, in perfect condition, no complaints there. Like everyone mentioned, the taste is something else, and I can usually handle strange tastes, but this is bitter & not good. However I take it in my morning coffee, a little after my workout in a protein drink mixture, and mixed with protein powder before bed time, they seem to help with the taste somewhat. It's easy to use, which is why I like the powdered form, I can mix it in my drinks easily, that's what I wanted to do.As for the reviewers mentioning the bag not closing, they were right, it does not close. I looked closely, and noticed the powder itself is in the ziplock crevices, which prevents it from ziplocking up. I think the company needs to put the product in the bag, ziplock it first then mend the very top like they do after ziplocking it first, and that would solve the problem.I put my powder in a mason jar. Then I used water to fill the bag, poured that remaining mixture in a cup, because im not wasting any product, lol. Then I rinsed the bag throughly again, and dryed it up. The bag was then able to ziplock as it should. But I kept my powder in the mason jar, it's easier for me this way. But for others who want to use the bag, do these steps, and put the powder back into the bag, and you should be good to go, it should ziplock like it should.I will come back to update you all If the product has aided me in my weight loss/ overall well-being journey that I'm doing. Thank you