Ingredient · Updated 2026-08-17
EGCG
epigallocatechin gallate · green tea catechin
EGCG has Grade C evidence for small reductions in body weight in some extract trials, typically 300–800 mg/day of EGCG — not milligrams of tea powder. High-dose extracts have a liver-injury signal. A 2 g matcha serving is a reasonable tea; it is not Chen 2016.
- Study-dose band
- 300–800 mg EGCG/day in extract trials
- Typical bottle
- Matcha 2 g ≈ 40–90 mg EGCG; extracts vary wildly
Evidence by outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight (extracts) | C | Meta-analyses show small average effects. Chen 2016 used high-dose green tea extract, not culinary matcha. |
| Cardiometabolic markers | C | LDL and fasting glucose sometimes move; effect sizes are modest and not universal. |
Safety
- EFSA and FDA have flagged liver injury with high-dose green tea extracts, especially on an empty stomach.
- Tea as a beverage has a long safety record; 500+ mg isolated EGCG does not inherit that record automatically.
Unknowns
- Catechin yield in matcha depends on harvest, shade, and grind. Without an assay, EGCG milligrams are a range, not a fact.
Questions
Can a brand cite a green tea extract RCT to sell matcha powder?
Only if the EGCG milligrams match. Chen 2016 is an extract trial. 2,250 mg of matcha powder is a different exposure.
Sources
Formulas on this desk
- Matcha Extreme — A disclosed 2.25 g matcha serving with spirulina, cactus fruit, and acerola. A cup of tea with extras — not a high-dose EGCG trial.
- Fat Burn Active — Eleven named actives, including forskolin, EGCG, synephrine, and caffeine — with almost no milligrams on the public label.
- EnduNAD — A NAD bottle without NR or NMN. The workhorse is 250 mg niacinamide. Several headline botanicals are milligram theatre.