Green Tea Constituent Supports Mood and Calmness

A recently published study reports that a constituent in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) modulates brain activity and supports mood. EGCG is the primary catechin in green tea with potent antioxidant activity.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, subjects were assessed for cognitive and cardiovascular functioning, as well as mood, and were evaluated with a resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) at the beginning of the study. The subjects were then supplemented with 300 mg of EGCG or a placebo. After 120 minutes, the subjects were re-evaluated for cognitive and cardiovascular functioning, mood, and assessed with an EEG.

The study revealed that EGCG supplementation modulated brain function. With EGCG administration, the EEG showed significant overall increase in alpha, beta, and theta activity and increased overall EEG activity, indicating a more relaxed and attentive state. In addition, the EEG demonstrated brain activity more dominant in midline frontal and central regions, specifically in the frontal gyrus and medial frontal gyrus with EGCG supplementation. This area of the brain is important for executive functioning. Furthermore, compared to placebo, EGCG administration resulted in enhanced self-reported calmness.

The study authors stated that these results support the widespread consumption of green tea for its purported relaxing and refreshing properties.

Reference:

Scholey A, Downey LA, Ciorciari J, Pipingas A, Nolidin K, Finn M, Wines M, Catchlove S, Terrens A, Barlow E, Gordon L, Stough C. Acute neurocognitive effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Appetite. 2011 Nov 20. Published Online Ahead of Print.