Green tea contains catechins. Catechins are a type of flavonoid. Flavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments found in fruits, vegetables, and certain beverages that have antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive chemicals known as free radicals. Studies have shown that flavonoid intake is inversely related to mortality from coronary heart disease and to the incidence of heart attacks. Research that appeared in the Journal of Functional Food (epublished Jan 20,2012) looked at the effect green tea consumption had on abdominal fat. The subjects of the study were 104 Chinese with a high proportion of abdominal fat. For 12 weeks they were assigned to receive a daily beverage containing either green tea (with 609.3 mg of catechins and 68.7 mg of caffeine) or a control. Drinking the catechin-rich tea helped to reduce the amount of belly fat in the subjects drinking the tea.
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