Green tea is touted for its health-promoting properties in large part because of its high levels of antioxidants called catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). But new testing by the independent ConsumerLab.com finds that not all forms of green tea deliver the same levels of EGCG. Highest amounts among the teas tested came from loose tea leaves, followed by major supermarket brands of tea bags. Because the loose tea cost significantly more per cup, the report calculated that tea bags were the most cost-effective way to obtain 200 milligrams of EGCG: about 27 cents to 60 cents, depending on the brand, compared to $2.18 for loose green tea leaves. Bottled green-tea beverages fell short in EGCG, in some cases not actually containing as much of the antioxidants as promised on the label. One bottled tea beverage contained almost no EGCG at all. But non-diet bottled tea drinks did contain plenty of sugar-18 grams, about half that in a regular sugar-sweetened soft drink.
