Green Tea EGCG
Epigallocatechin gallate (from Camellia sinensis)
Also known as: EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate, green tea catechin, green tea polyphenol
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 5.5/10).
Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Hepatotoxicity at doses >800mg/day EGCG
- FDA and EFSA hepatotoxicity advisories issued
- Fasting increases hepatotoxic risk
- Interacts with statins and anticoagulants
- Iron absorption inhibition
Contraindications
- Hepatotoxicity at doses >800mg/day EGCG
- FDA and EFSA hepatotoxicity advisories issued
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
EGCG is the major catechin in green tea. High-dose concentrated EGCG supplements (>800mg/day) are associated with hepatotoxicity via mitochondrial toxicity. FDA Hepatotoxicity Advisory issued. Fasting administration increases hepatotoxicity risk.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Epigallocatechin gallate (from Camellia sinensis)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Weight Loss
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Hepatotoxicity at doses >800mg/day EGCG
- FDA and EFSA hepatotoxicity advisories issued
- Fasting increases hepatotoxic risk
- Interacts with statins and anticoagulants
- Iron absorption inhibition
The available scientific evidence for Green Tea EGCG indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 23:16
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGreen Tea Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Ameliorates Lipid Accumulation and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Syndrome via Regulating Autophagy and Lipolysis in Preadipocytes and Adipose Tissue. ↗Peng H et al.. Green Tea Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Ameliorates Lipid Accumulation and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Syndrome via Regulating Autophagy and Lipolysis in Preadipocytes and Adipose Tissue.. J Agric Food Chem. 2025. PMID:40347183.PMID 40347183 ↗Journal J Agric Food ChemYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40347183/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWExpression of miR-92a in Green Tea EGCG Preconditioned Adiposederived Stem Cells Ameliorates Inflammatory Response and Increases Cartilage Regeneration in RA Rats through… ↗Chen TS et al.. Expression of miR-92a in Green Tea EGCG Preconditioned Adiposederived Stem Cells Ameliorates Inflammatory Response and Increases Cartilage Regeneration in RA Rats through KLF4/IL-17/MMP-2 Axis Modulation.. Curr Gene Ther. 2025. PMID:40183268.PMID 40183268 ↗Journal Curr Gene TherYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40183268/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPromising Roles of Phytocompounds and Nutrients in Interventions to Mitigate Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. ↗Daniel M et al.. Promising Roles of Phytocompounds and Nutrients in Interventions to Mitigate Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2024. PMID:39147680.PMID 39147680 ↗Journal Semin Oncol NursYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39147680/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUnderstanding the mechanisms of green tea EGCG against amyloid u03b2 oligomer neurotoxicity through computational studies. ↗Gonu00e7alves PB et al.. Understanding the mechanisms of green tea EGCG against amyloid u03b2 oligomer neurotoxicity through computational studies.. RSC Adv. 2024. PMID:39015669.PMID 39015669 ↗Journal RSC AdvYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39015669/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAutologous transplantation of green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate pretreated adipose-derived stem cells increases cardiac regenerative capability through C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 expression in… ↗Chen TS et al.. Autologous transplantation of green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate pretreated adipose-derived stem cells increases cardiac regenerative capability through C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 expression in the treatment of rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy.. Exp Anim. 2024. PMID:38447976.PMID 38447976 ↗Journal Exp AnimYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38447976/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInvestigation of the inhibitory effect and mechanism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against Streptococcus suis sortase A. ↗Lou F et al.. Investigation of the inhibitory effect and mechanism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against Streptococcus suis sortase A.. J Appl Microbiol. 2023. PMID:37634082.PMID 37634082 ↗Journal J Appl MicrobiolYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37634082/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGreen tea EGCG inhibits nau00efve CD4(+) T cell division and progression in mice: An integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental… ↗Niu X et al.. Green tea EGCG inhibits nau00efve CD4(+) T cell division and progression in mice: An integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation.. Curr Res Food Sci. 2023. PMID:37441168.PMID 37441168 ↗Journal Curr Res Food SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441168/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInhibition of miR-214 expression by small molecules alleviates head and neck cancer metastasis by targeting ALCAM/TFAP2 signaling. ↗Agarwal A et al.. Inhibition of miR-214 expression by small molecules alleviates head and neck cancer metastasis by targeting ALCAM/TFAP2 signaling.. bioRxiv. 2023. PMID:37066273.PMID 37066273 ↗Journal bioRxivYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37066273/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPotential of green tea EGCG in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with greater tropism toward the upper respiratory tract. ↗Zhang Z et al.. Potential of green tea EGCG in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with greater tropism toward the upper respiratory tract.. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2023. PMID:36594074.PMID 36594074 ↗Journal Trends Food Sci TechnolYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36594074/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEngineered fabrication of EGCG-UV absorber conjugated nano-assemblies for antioxidative sunscreens with broad-band absorption. ↗Chen X et al.. Engineered fabrication of EGCG-UV absorber conjugated nano-assemblies for antioxidative sunscreens with broad-band absorption.. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022. PMID:36265315.PMID 36265315 ↗Journal Colloids Surf B BiointerfacesYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36265315/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Green Tea EGCG. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Green Tea EGCG
A score of 5.5 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.