Revolutionary green tea extract Teavigo hits the market

A revolutionary green tea extract with wide commercial and health applications has been creating excitement in the local market recently.

Teavigo is a natural product derived from green tea extract through proprietary technology from Switzerland-based company, DSM Nutritional Products.

It contains 95 percent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most active component of green tea, around three times more than the average green tea extract.

“Teavigo is a highly purified off-white powder, free of caffeine and harmful residues that can be found in some green tea extracts such as herbicides and pesticides,” says Corazon Garalde, general manager for DSM Philippines.

“It is tasteless and odorless and can readily be mixed with beverages, cereals, confectionery and dietary supplements, among others,” she adds.

Garalde reveals that products with Teavigo can provide as much as three times more the health benefits of green tea without altering their original taste. And here lies its versatility.

“With Teavigo, any food product can reap the benefits of green tea extract without the taste profile of green tea,” claims Garalde. “It’s practically pure EGCG, whereas other green tea extracts have other components and impurities.”

Seal of guarantee

Food and dietary supplement manufacturers who want to add premium to their products can easily integrate Teavigo into their manufacturing process because it’s water soluble.

“The amount of Teavigo on each product depends on the kind of health benefits that the manufacturer wants its product to have,” says Garalde.

To get anti-oxidant properties, Garalde says 10 mg to 25mg per serving or doses is recommended. For fat burning effect, daily intake should be 150 to 300 mg.

Products with Teavigo can earn the coveted Teavigo seal, a guaranteed assurance that the extract is produced according to the highest standards with consistent quality, extensive safety program, backed by scientific research, is caffeine-free, and with little to no alteration of the taste, smell or color interference to the product.

“It’s not hard to market products with green tea extracts nowadays,” says Garalde. “In our recent consumer study, Filipinos are very well aware of the health benefits of green tea. In fact, our respondents want to see green tea extract in juice, yoghurt, soft drinks, supplements and even noodles.”

Launched in 2004 worldwide, Teavigo is available in various consumer food and health products in 17 countries.

In the Philippines, Teavigo can be found in Activ EGCG Plus, Fitrum, and Nescafe Fit.

Wide application

“Teavigo is a very versatile health additive and can be added in any consumer food products – fruit juices, yoghurts, sports drink, coffee, tea, carbonated and near-water beverages,” says Garalde.

It can also be a stand alone health supplement like Taiwan’s Yo’come’Purified EGCG Capsules which is positioned for general health and beauty; USA’s Teavigo 300, manufactured by GNC and is said to increase energy metabolism; or Japan’s Ultimate Combustion Catechins, manufactured by AFC, a fat burner product.

In Japan, where half of the population consumes green tea almost everyday, the most in-demand item is ice cream with green tea extract.

Health gain

DSM Nutritional Products which was formerly Roche Vitamins, has done extensive scientific research on three key health benefits of ECGG in weight management, oral health, and anti-oxidant properties.

DSM studies show that green tea extracts high in EGCG enhance metabolism, increase fat oxidation and help assist in the reduction of body fat.

In a study conducted by Hase et al. in 2001 for instance, green tea catechins reduced body fat by eight percent and visceral fat by near 10 percent. Twelve healthy men took part in the study where they were given 483 mg catechins (300mg ECGG, 75 mg caffeine) per day for 12 weeks.

“Teavigo works wonders as a fat burner when taken with regular exercise and a healthy diet. It can be a useful aid in health and weight maintenance,” says Garalde.

In oral health, studies show that EGCG plays a pivotal role in the preservation of healthy teeth and gums by inhibiting bacteria from attaching to teeth (plaque), have anti-microbial activity against caries bacteria, prevent collagen destruction, and attack the main constituents of malodor.

“More than anything, Teavigo is a highly effective natural antioxidant and efficient free radical scavenger,” stresses Garalde. “With regular intake, Teavigo helps our bodies fight free radicals which are harmful substances that promote aging related diseases such as cancer and heart problems.”