Green tea extract (EGCG)
Written by Fertility Decoded. Reviewed by D R, MS (OBG), FRM. Review date: 31 August 2026.
The verdict
No fertility-specific evidence found for this item at all; separately, concentrated green tea extract is one of the best-documented, occasionally fatal causes of drug-induced liver injury among all dietary supplements — this is a distinct and serious safety concern independent of any fertility claim.
A concentrated antioxidant supplement (distinct from drinking brewed green tea), marketed broadly as a general-health/fertility antioxidant.
What the evidence shows
Evidence tier
Documented harm⛔ Peer-reviewed evidence of serious adverse effects from the item's own chemistry/pharmacology or a well-characterized allergic mechanism. More serious than contamination; not resolved by buying a 'reputable brand'.
Frequently asked questions
- No fertility-specific evidence was found — it's included because it's a common 'antioxidant' in blends.
- Concentrated extract (not brewed tea) is a well-documented cause of liver injury — 50+ cases, fatal in ~9%, across a wide dose range and linked to a genetic marker. Brewed green tea is a different matter.
Does green tea extract help fertility?
Is green tea extract safe?
Sources
Take this further
Sources last reviewed .