Green tea comes from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. You can buy it as dried leaves, matcha powder, or standardized extracts, with decaffeinated versions available.
The catechins (especially EGCG) and moderate caffeine sharpen focus, lift energy, and strengthen antioxidant defenses. Many people swap coffee for green tea to get a smoother pick-me-up.
Drink 1 to 3 cups of brewed tea each day, or take extract capsules with a meal. Choose decaf for evening use or if you need to avoid caffeine.
Caffeine might make you jittery or disrupt sleep if you have it late in the day. Taking large doses of extract on an empty stomach has, in rare cases, affected liver function. If you are sensitive to caffeine or have a medical condition, ask your healthcare provider before use.