HONG KONG—Tea catechins positively affect bone metabolism by promoting bone formation and inhibiting cells that disintegrate bones, according to a new study from the Institute of Chinese Medicine.
The study showed epigallocatechin (EGC), which is found in green tea, but not black tea, encouraged osteoblastic activity and inhibited osteoclast differentiation in rats. Gallocatechin (GC) and gallocatechin gallate (GCG), also catechins found in green tea, benefited bone heath, but not to the degree of EGC.
