Title:Cardiovascular Effects of Green Tea Catechins: Progress and Promise
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mohammed A. Islam
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, atherosclerosis, EGCG, endothelial dysfunction, green tea catechins, HDL cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol, Isoflavone Treatment, GREEN TEA
Abstract: Recently, there is a growing interest in the cardiovascular beneficial effects of green tea. Epidemiological and
clinical studies have suggested that consumption of green tea is inversely associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular
diseases. Catechins, the major flavonoid constituents of green tea, exert cardioprotective effects through diverse
mechanisms that include reversal of endothelial dysfunctions, decreasing inflammatory biomarkers, and providing antioxidant,
antiplatelet and antiproliferative effects. Moreover, dietary consumption of green tea catechins has beneficial effects
on blood pressure and lipid parameters. This review will focus on discussing the latest research on the cardioprotective
effects of green tea catechins and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Several recent patents pertinent to green
tea and cardiovascular health will also be discussed. It is noteworthy that clinical studies involving green tea are fraught
with multiple complexity and confounding factors. Therefore, a rigorous assessment of the effects of green tea catechins
in well-controlled human trials will be required for better understanding of the effects of green tea in cardiovascular
health.
