Catechin Antioxidant Health Benefits.

Catechins are a powerful antioxidant, and they're one of the big reasons why green tea is such a health promoting beverage. In its introduction to catechins, Wikipedia writes: ‘Catechin is a type of natural plant phenol and antioxidant. It belongs to the groups of flavanols.’  (link #1 at the end of this article.)

Note. Please be sure to read the important medical disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

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Catechin and cholesterol research links.

The seeds of muscadine grapes contain over 30x more catechins and epicatechins, ounce for ounce,  than green tea. A document from the Department of Nutrition at the UC Davis University of California (link #2) shows that green tea has 2.6mg/100g of catechins and 8.2mg/100g of epicatechins. Muscadine seeds have up to 86/1mg/100g of catechins and 71.8mg/100g of epicatechins. 

UC Davis describe the health benefits of catechins: “The consumption of foods rich in catechins and epicatechins has been associated with a variety of beneficial biological effects including increased plasma antioxidant activity (ability of plasma to scavenge free radicals), brachial artery dilation (blood vessel expansion), fat oxidation, and resistance of LDL to oxidation and promotion of gut health (1). The gut microbiota can biotransform catechin and epicatechin, and conversely the presence of these nutrients in the gut can induce changes in gut microbial populations. It has been speculated that catechin/epicatechin can help inhibit production and activation of harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to flourish.”

The website GreenTeaLeftovers (link #3) lists a number of health benefits for catechins, including:

• Connects with cholesterol, absorbs and blocks it.

• Decreases cholesterol level in blood and prevents bad cholesterol caused by oxidation, which prevents narrowing of blood vessel caused by the build-up of bad cholesterol.

• Prevents arterial sclerosis, thrombosis, heart attacks and brain strokes.

• Effective for high blood pressure.

• Blocks a function of enzyme that digests and absorbs sugar and prevents diabetes.

• Improves conditions of intestines by blocking growth of bad bacteria and enhancing good bacteria like bifid bacteria. This regulates the function of intestines.

• Detoxifies by connecting with poisonous substance and harmful heavy metals (lead, chrome, mercury, cadmium, etc.) and dissolves it.

• Changes harmful ultraviolet rays into non-harmful light in a plant to protect it.

In an independent laboratory test by The University of Georgia (link to abstract of the research study below), muscadine grapes (esp the seeds) were found to have up to 86.1  milligrams of Catechins plus up to 71.8 milligrams of Epicatechins per 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of fresh fruit. (Link 4)

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link #1

Wikipedia. About Catechin Antioxidants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechin

Link #2

University of Californa. Nutrition & Health Info Sheets for Health Professionals - Catechins and Epicatechins.

https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/outreach/nutr-health-info-sheets/pro-catechins

Link #3

Green Tea Leftovers website. Catechin health benefits.

https://greentealovers.com/greenteahealthcatechin.htm

Link #4

US National Library of Medicine. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of muscadine grapes.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12926904/

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Medical disclaimer and alert. The information in this webpage  is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider, and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on this page or the pages it links to. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Muscadinex, like any other natural health supplement, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.