What is it used for?
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 2].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 3].
To be used with a program of reduced intake of dietary calories and increased physical activity (if possible) to help in weight management [Source note 4].
Restrictions when this reference is combined with other references (source review category II and III):
If a weight management claim is made:
Weight management is a long-term process and must therefore, be associated with a long-term intervention.
active ingredient with diuretic properties may be included in weight management products, however no diuretic claim can be applied as it is associated with a short-term duration of use (occasional use only).
Stimulant laxatives cannot be present at therapeutic dose in weight management products as their short term duration of use is not compatible with the duration of use for weight management.
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 690 milligrams total catechins* per day, including a maximum of 300 mg epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG); and not to exceed 150 milligrams of caffeine, per day [Source note 5].
*Note: Total catechins is the sum of all catechin compounds, including epicatechins and other related compounds. For green tea extract, total catechins include, catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Weight management
136 - 300 milligrams (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and 75 - 150 milligrams of caffeine, with an EGCG:caffeine ratio of 1.8:1 to 4:1, per day. Not to exceed 690 milligrams of total catechins (including EGCG) per day [Source note 6].
How is it used?
All products
Take with a meal/food [Source note 7].
How long is it used?
All products
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 12 weeks [Source note 8].
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a liver disorder or an iron deficiency [Source note 9].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking prescription medications.
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if you experience any new symptoms including yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain [Source note 10].
All products (except for weight management)
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Weight management
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding.
Products providing 40 mg or more caffeine, per day and with a catechins:caffeine ratio lower than 2:1
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have high blood pressure or glaucoma [Source note 11].
When should it be avoided?
Weight management
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 12].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camellia sinensis | Green tea extract | Camellia sinensis | Leaf |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Westerterp-Plantenga et al. 2005; Henning et al. 2004; Source information: Nagao et al. 2005; Chantre and Lairon 2002.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- July 25, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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