ABSTRACT
Throughout history, tea has been one of the most popular drinks all over the world. Epidemiological studies have shown that tea is benecial to human health by protecting the body from cancer and other diseases. Most people thought that the benecial effect of tea came from the vitamins and trace elements in it, which is not correct and complete. The most effective components in green tea are polyphenols, which are about 30% of the weight of dry tea; the four main components of polyphenols are EC [(−)-epicatechin], EGC [(−)-epigallocatechin], EGC [(−)-epicatechin gallate], and EGCG [(−)-epigallocatechin gallate] (Figure 18.1). The main polyphenol in black tea is theaavin, the structure of which is shown in Figure 18.1. This chapter summarizes the health effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and reviews their possible antioxidant mechanisms.
