Green Tea Nutrition Benefits and Facts

Nutritional summary

Green tea consumption is consistently linked to improved cardiovascular health, with systematic reviews showing it can significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure .
Regular intake is well-established to reduce total and LDL cholesterol (the type often referred to as "bad" cholesterol) by inhibiting its absorption in the intestines .
The beverage contains high concentrations of catechins (a type of polyphenol antioxidant), specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which are preserved because the leaves are steamed immediately after harvest to stop fermentation .
While often associated with weight management, major reviews indicate that green tea does not lead to meaningful weight loss in humans .
Early research suggests a potential protective effect against age-related bone loss and certain cancers, though human evidence remains limited and sometimes conflicting .

Interesting fact

Unlike black tea, green tea leaves are steamed or pan-fired immediately after harvest to halt oxidation, which preserves their vibrant green color and specific antioxidant profile.

Standout nutrients

EPIC

SOURCE

Water

kcal per 100g

Protein0.22g

Seasonality

Not available

Diet

VeganVegetarianPescatarianGluten FreeDairy FreeKetoLow FodmapPaleo

Sustainability

Lighter footprint

Tea has a relatively low carbon footprint per cup, though water heating is the primary energy driver.

Confidencemedium

Storage

Airtight Container

6–12 months

Keep away from light, moisture, and strong odors

Cool Dark Place

6–12 months

Flavour

Data & Sources

Harmonized from 1 validated source

USDA

USDA FoodData Central

1 contributing source food

Claim citations

The effects of green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC

[1]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of green tea on blood pressure and lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials - ScienceDirect

[3]www.sciencedirect.comsciencedirect.com

Tea - The Nutrition Source

[4]nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu

Green tea catechins and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - PubMed

[5]pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Publication : USDA ARS

[6]www.ars.usda.govars.usda.gov

The Benefits and Risks of Consuming Brewed Tea: Beware of Toxic Element Contamination - PMC

[7]pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drinking green tea is a healthy habit | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

[9]hsph.harvard.edu

The effects of foods on LDL cholesterol levels: A systematic review ...

[11]pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Other Healthy Beverage Options • The Nutrition Source

[12]nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu

Coverage

Nutrients

FoodCompass

85.5

Version

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