Evidence supporting the use of: Camellia sinensis
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Camellia sinensis, the plant source for green, black, and other types of tea, has scientific evidence supporting its use as an athletic and exercise aid. The primary active compounds of interest are caffeine and catechins (notably epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG). Caffeine is a well-established ergogenic aid that can improve alertness, reduce perceived exertion, and enhance endurance performance, as demonstrated in numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses. Tea provides a moderate dose of caffeine, contributing to these effects.
Additionally, catechins in green tea have been investigated for their potential to increase fat oxidation during exercise. Several studies have reported that green tea extract supplementation can lead to modest increases in fat utilization and may help support weight management and body composition when combined with exercise. A 2013 meta-analysis (Jowko et al., 2013; Hursel et al., 2011) found that green tea catechins, especially when combined with caffeine, can moderately increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation.
However, the effects are generally modest compared to pure caffeine or other established ergogenic aids. Most evidence supports benefits in endurance and fat oxidation rather than strength or high-intensity performance. In summary, the use of Camellia sinensis for athletic and exercise aids is scientifically supported, but the magnitude of benefit is moderate and mostly attributable to its caffeine and catechin content.
More about Camellia sinensis
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Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agmatine
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
ba ji tian
bacillus subtilis
BCAA
bee pollen
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
bicarbonate
black ginger
black tea
bovine
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
brown rice protein
Bulbine natalensis
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsiate
capsicum
capsinoids
cardarine
casein
cistanche
citrate malate
cocoa
coconut
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Ribose
deer velvet
dihydrocapsiate
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
Ephedra
ephedrine
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
ginseng
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
green tea
guanidinoacetic acid
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Higenamine
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
jiaogulan
ketone salts
kola nut
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Mate
Methylliberine
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Muira puama
Mushroom
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
omega-3 fatty acids
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Palatinose
paraxanthine
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
Phytoecdysteroid
Piper nigrum
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline quinone
pyruvate
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
Safed musli
salt
sea salt
Sida cordifolia
spirulina
suma
Synephrine
Teacrine
Theacrine
Theobromine
Tongkat ali
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
Xanthine
Yerba mate
Yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Camellia sinensis
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Hair Care (general)
Hangover
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hypertension
Memory and Brain Function
Nausea and Vomiting
