Micronutrients & recovery
Green tea extract, particularly in concentrated supplement form, can cause hepatocellular liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplantation, whereas green tea infusion is generally safe.
Drinking green tea is generally safe and healthy. However, be cautious with green tea extract supplements, especially if you are fasting or taking high doses, as they can cause liver injury. If you experience symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, or jaundice, stop taking the supplement and consult a healthcare provider.
While green tea infusion is widely consumed and generally safe... green tea extracts have shown to have a hepatotoxic potential... The physiopathology of green tea inducing liver damage is unclear but could be explained by the (-)-epigallocatechin gallate or its metabolite (-)-epicatechin gallate which, in certain conditions such as fasting, can induce oxidative stress and liver damage.
Why this rating
Evidence is based on case reports and series, showing a clear association but with some uncertainty about the exact mechanism and susceptibility factors.
Source
Hepatotoxicity by Dietary Supplements: A Tabular Listing and Clinical Characteristics
Miren García‐Cortés et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2016
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