Green tea extract is not the same as green tea—and that matters for your health

I weight in on the health benefits of Green Tea Extract in this piece for Well+Good:

Most capsules also have a low amount of caffeine, Feller adds, so it might affect sleep rhythms of people who are caffeine sensitive (especially if a person is drinking other forms of caffeine on top of the extract.) As with any supplement, Feller says green tea extract may interact with other medications or supplements you may be taking, so definitely consult with your practitioner before adding it into your routine.

The bottom line: Green tea extract has limited benefits and some pretty serious potential side effects. “I would suggest that people exercise caution and seek out guidance from a qualified health care provider when using a pharmacological dose of a supplement like this,” says Feller. Or just stick with regular green tea, which is generally a pretty safe bet.