Does Green Tea Extract Have Caffeine? Facts You Should Know

Have you ever wondered if green tea extract contains caffeine? This is a question many consumers have when choosing green tea extract supplements. With its prominent health benefits, such as powerful antioxidant properties, green tea extract is popular for supporting overall health.

However, a common question remains: How does the caffeine content in green tea extract affect our bodies? In this article, we will explore the facts you need to know about caffeine in green tea extract, helping you better understand its effects and how to use this product effectively.

What Is Green Tea Extract?

Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea leaves (usually Camellia sinensis), containing a higher concentration of beneficial compounds compared to a regular cup of green tea. This product is designed to provide a concentrated source of antioxidants.

It is made by steeping the leaves in water and gradually extracting the green tea essence, which is available in various forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, or liquid solutions [1 2].

Many people wonder if the increased concentration and alertness from green tea extract is due to its caffeine content, similar to other caffeinated beverages like coffee. Let's explore the answer in the following article.

Does Green Tea Extract Contain Caffeine?

The answer is yes. Green tea extract contains caffeine, but the dose depends on the extraction method, the amount of raw materials, etc.

For example, a cup of green tea about 240ml has 20 - 45 mg of caffeine, green tea extract in capsule form has about 30 - 80 mg of caffeine, etc. In addition, some products with reduced caffeine green tea extract have a caffeine level of only about 5 mg [3].

What Influences the Caffeine Content in Green Tea Extract?

As mentioned above, there is no set number for the caffeine content of green tea extract, but the results are related to the following factors:

Extraction method

There are various methods for extracting green tea. Here are some common ones [4,5]:

In general, each method will have its own advantages and limitations, but green tea extraction with ethanol solvent can give higher caffeine levels than when extracted with water. Meanwhile, CO2 aeration extraction methods will be able to selectively remove caffeine depending on the manufacturer's goals.

Product type

Some products retain the natural caffeine content of green tea, while others have an additional step of reducing the caffeine after extraction. Therefore, you can choose the right product based on your body's reaction - whether you feel uncomfortable after consuming caffeine or not.

In particular, products labeled decaffeinated are proof that the product has removed some or all of the caffeine in the tea. However, most products still have a small amount of caffeine, less than 5 mg per serving, but generally this level is not too harmful to health.

Dosage of extract per serving

A higher dose of green tea extract means it can provide more caffeine. So, find out how many mg of green tea extract is in each capsule/tablet (or 1 drop of solution, 1 scoop of powder, etc.).

This will give you an idea of how much caffeine you can expect in a serving of green tea extract. On the Quora platform, a user shared additional useful information: “Generally, each green tea extract capsule has a caffeine level of about 25 - 40 mg of caffeine - depending on the brand, extraction method, etc.”*

Decaffeination label reality

Although the label “decaffeinated” means that the caffeine in the green tea extract has been removed. However, this does not mean that there is 100% no more caffeine, but depends on the reality of each manufacturer.

Decaffeinated can be understood as removing part (the remaining part is at an acceptable level) or all of the caffeine. You should contact a consultant or the manufacturer directly to get an exact answer on how much caffeine is.

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

The level of caffeine accepted by the US FDA does not exceed 400 mg/day (applicable to healthy adults) [6]. If this level is exceeded, users may feel tired, have headaches, dizziness, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, etc. Accordingly, this level of caffeine includes all products containing caffeine such as green tea, green tea extract, coffee, etc.

Additionally, when taking supplements, you should also be mindful of your total caffeine intake from various sources. Caffeine is not only found in tea but also in coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, energy drinks, and even some food additives.

Many people consume these products daily without realizing that caffeine can gradually accumulate, potentially leading to an unintentional excess beyond the safe intake limit.

However, in addition to consuming caffeine through food and drinks, some cosmetic products today may also contain caffeine, such as foundations with green tea extract.

On Reddit, some users raised concerns about whether using foundation with Camellia leaf extract (green tea) would cause caffeine absorption through the skin, as they wanted to avoid consuming more caffeine.*

While caffeine can be absorbed through the skin, users pointed out that the amount of caffeine in cosmetics containing green tea extract is very small, so its effect is negligible. Another user clarified that green tea extract makes up only a small part of the foundation formula, so the likelihood of it affecting the body or increasing anxiety is very low.*

From this, it can be seen that concerns about caffeine consumption extend beyond supplements and into cosmetics.

Who Should Be Cautious With Caffeinated Green Tea Extract?

Below are people who should be careful when using green tea extract containing caffeine such as people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with high blood pressure or a history of high blood pressure, people with prolonged sleep disorders,... To avoid the case where green tea extract makes you uncomfortable instead of bringing the desired effects, you should consult your doctor before using.

Is Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract a Better Option?

If you have an aversion to caffeine but still want to benefit from the powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in green tea extract, is the decaffeinated version the right choice? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each type.

Green tea extract with caffeine provides a quick boost in alertness and wakefulness, but it may cause side effects like insomnia and restlessness. On the other hand, decaffeinated green tea extract offers a gentler increase in mental clarity and focus, though its effects may take longer to appear compared to its caffeinated counterpart.

Therefore, depending on your preferences and how your body responds, you can choose the version that best suits your needs. It's important to understand that decaffeination doesn't completely remove caffeine—it only reduces it to minimal levels that are unlikely to affect your health.

Fortunately, this process does not compromise the effectiveness of green tea’s beneficial compounds, such as polyphenols, which still provide anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant support.

Final Thoughts: Should You Be Concerned About the Caffeine in Green Tea Extract?

Green tea extract naturally contains caffeine, but its caffeine content can vary significantly depending on the product and extraction method.

For individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or already consume it from multiple sources (like coffee, tea, or energy drinks), it's important to consider choosing decaffeinated green tea extract or products with lower caffeine content.

To ensure you're making a safe and suitable choice, always check the product label carefully. Look for information such as "decaffeinated," caffeine content per serving, and ingredient sourcing.

In addition, consulting with your doctor or a healthcare professional is highly recommended, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications that may interact with caffeine.

By staying informed and selective, you can enjoy the health benefits of green tea extract such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties without the unwanted effects of excessive caffeine.

Conclusion

The above article has answered the question of whether green tea extract has caffeine. In general, even though it has been decaffeinated, it seems that green tea extract cannot reach 0 but can be reduced to a minimum level, without affecting the health of the user too much - especially those who have unwanted problems with caffeine.

In addition, please note that you cannot live a healthy, alert, refreshed life,... if you only use green tea extract, but need to combine it with a healthy, scientific diet, lifestyle,... and regular health check-ups to detect early signs of abnormalities and promptly handle them.