■ Antiviral action

Catechins are effective against bacteria and viruses. Viruses multiply inside cells. When viruses such as influenza enter the body, they have the function of attaching to certain cells, but when catechins are taken in, the virus becomes difficult to attach to the cells, so it cannot multiply inside the cells, and as a result, it helps prevent colds. 

■ Antibacterial action

Catechin has an antibacterial effect, so it suppresses the growth of food poisoning bacteria such as O-157 (enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli), which causes food poisoning, and Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. 

■ Prevention of tooth decay and bad breath

The cause of tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans, which adheres to the teeth and produces acid that dissolves the enamel on the surface of the teeth, resulting in tooth decay. Catechin suppresses the growth of Streptococcus mutans, so it can prevent tooth decay.

■ Antioxidant action

Active oxygen is toxic and oxidizes cells in the body, causing aging and disease. Antioxidant action is the work of removing active oxygen, and it is useful for preventing aging and disease. Catechin detoxifies toxic superoxide and active oxygen called singlet oxygen.

■ Anti-cancer effect　

Catechin has an active oxygen scavenging effect and an anti-mutation suppressing effect on cancer cells. It also helps prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

■ Cholesterol-lowering action

Catechin has the function of suppressing the absorption of cholesterol during meals and promoting its excretion. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol, but it is LDL cholesterol that causes arteriosclerosis and causes myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Ingesting catechins lowers only LDL cholesterol and does not affect HDL cholesterol, which helps prevent arteriosclerosis.

■ Suppresses blood sugar rise　

Catechin has the function of suppressing the absorption of sugar from the intestine after meals. Foods containing a lot of carbohydrates such as rice, bread, noodles, sweets, fruits, etc. raise blood sugar levels. Since blood sugar levels rise after meals, taking it before meals slows down the absorption of sugar from the intestine.

■ Obesity prevention　

Continuing to ingest a certain amount of catechins increases lipid metabolism in the liver, increases energy consumption, and reduces body fat. Continuous intake of catechins also increases dietary fat burning and diet-induced body thermogenesis. Diet-induced thermogenesis is the energy expended by postprandial digestion and absorption. There are three types of energy consumption: basal metabolism, physical activity metabolism, and meal-induced body heat production. Diet-induced body heat production is lower in people with more visceral fat, so catechin intake increases energy consumption and helps prevent obesity.