Tea catechins 茶カテキン
Polyphenols found in green tea. Some Foods with Function Claims (FFC) are notified with a specific type named, such as "gallate-type catechins" or "methylated catechins."
In Japan: Foods with Function Claims notifications
Functions claimed (counted from notifications with this ingredient alone)
| Function | Notifications |
|---|---|
| Body fat | |
| Weight and BMI | |
| Nasal discomfort | |
| Post-meal blood sugar | |
| Triglycerides | |
| Itchy eyes | |
| Teeth and mouth |
Examples of notified claims (our translation)
This product contains tea catechins. Tea catechins have been reported to have a function of reducing visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, supporting a decrease in body weight, and improving a high-normal BMI in people who tend toward obesity.
This product contains gallate-type catechins. Gallate-type catechins have been reported to have a function of reducing body fat (visceral fat and subcutaneous fat) and improving BMI in people with a high-normal BMI, by reducing the absorption of fat from meals and increasing its excretion. They have also been reported to have a function of supporting working memory (the ability to hold multiple pieces of information needed for problem solving and process them correctly), which is part of the cognitive function that declines with age.
This product contains methylated catechins. Methylated catechins have been reported to reduce discomfort in the eyes and nose caused by pollen, dust, house dust, and the like.
Cautions written in the notifications (most common)
- “If you are taking medication, especially antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, or medication that may cause liver damage, consult your doctor.” (2 notifications)
Under Foods with Function Claims, the company notifies the Consumer Affairs Agency of the scientific evidence on its own responsibility; the government does not review or approve it. You can look up each product's notification by the number on the package in the Consumer Affairs Agency's database (Japanese).
In Japan: Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU)
Approved claims by category: Body fat 45, Cholesterol 13, Triglycerides 7
This product contains tea catechins, so it suits people who are concerned about body fat. Through the action of tea catechins, which reduce cholesterol absorption, it also lowers serum cholesterol, especially LDL ("bad") cholesterol. It helps improve the diet of people with high-normal cholesterol.
This product contains tea catechins, which reduce the absorption of fat from meals and increase its excretion, so fat is less likely to build up in the body. It suits people who are concerned about body fat.
FOSHU products are reviewed and approved one by one by the government (Consumer Affairs Agency) for effectiveness and safety. The counts are of products whose functional ingredient matches this ingredient. Source: Consumer Affairs Agency, list of approved FOSHU products (Japanese). Claims are our translation.
In the EU: the register of health claims
Claim not authorised in the EU
- A claim of "maintenance of body weight" for EGCG (a type of catechin) and caffeine, and a claim of "reduces sugar absorption" for flavonoids in green tea and similar, were both not authorised (2011 opinions).
In the EU, only health claims whose evidence has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorised by the European Commission may be used on food. “Not authorised” means the evidence for that claim was not established under EU standards — not that the ingredient is dangerous.
What the US NIH says
- The catechins and caffeine in green tea may have a small effect on body weight. Results of research on cancer prevention and other topics have been inconsistent.
- No safety concerns have been reported for green tea as a beverage, but liver damage has rarely been reported with green tea extract in tablets and capsules. It may also lower blood levels of nadolol, a blood pressure drug, and atorvastatin, a cholesterol drug.
Sources: NCCIH "Green Tea"
Find products PR
These are Japanese online shops (affiliate links).
Example of a product notified with this ingredient
カテキン減脂粒 （株式会社全日本通教）
Food with Function Claims, notification No. F61. Chosen from products sold on Rakuten whose names match a current notification to the Consumer Affairs Agency, picking one with many reviews.
See on Rakuten (dmjegao)This database does not guarantee any product's effect. For Foods with Function Claims, check the notification number on the package; for Foods with Nutrient Function Claims, check the amount per daily serving.
Compare “茶カテキン 機能性表示食品” products on RakutenCompare “茶カテキン 機能性表示食品” products on Amazon.co.jpRelated articles
Other ingredients in the same categories
This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.