Home Ingredients Phytofare® (Green Tea Catechin Extract, Plandaí)
Metabolic Health

Phytofare® (Green Tea Catechin Extract, Plandaí)

Camellia sinensis
Evidence Level
Preliminary
0 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Phytofare® is a green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin extract developed by Plandaí Biotechnology from tea grown in South Africa, and sold on the claim that it is absorbed far better than ordinary green tea extract. That claim rests on unpublished company data, and no trial of Phytofare for any health outcome has been published. Plandaí's filings for the period ended December 2024 list its green tea products as discontinued operations, so it may no longer be available. Like all concentrated green tea extracts, it carries a risk of liver injury at high EGCG doses.

Studied Dose No studied dose: no trial of Phytofare for any health outcome has been published, and Plandaí never published a serving size or the EGCG content per serving.
Active Compound Green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin extract; Plandaí reported 80 to 88% total catechins by weight, with EGCG the main catechin.

Benefits

Antioxidant activity (laboratory only)

EGCG and the other green tea catechins neutralize free radicals in laboratory tests. No study has measured an antioxidant effect of Phytofare in people. In the one cited trial of a generic green tea extract, the extract did not lower blood markers of lipid oxidation; only brewed green tea did.

Weight and metabolism (generic green tea only)

Phytofare itself has never been tested for weight, blood sugar or cholesterol. In a small 8-week trial of a different, generic green tea extract (about 460 mg EGCG a day) in 35 adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome, weight fell about 2.5 kg more in the green tea groups than in a water control group (there was no placebo capsule), but blood sugar and cholesterol did not improve significantly. A 2012 Cochrane review of trials lasting at least 12 weeks found green tea weight loss small, statistically non-significant and unlikely to matter clinically.

Absorption claim (unpublished company data)

In 2014 Plandaí described a human absorption study as showing 5 times greater catechin absorption than a generic green tea extract; in 2018 it cited an average blood catechin level of 14,786 ng/ml versus 930 ng/ml, about 15-fold. The study's size, dose, design and funding were never disclosed and it has not been published in any journal. Higher blood levels are a pharmacokinetic property, not a health benefit, and more EGCG in the blood also means more exposure to the compound linked to liver injury.

Small fasting glucose and HbA1c drops in generic green tea trials

Not tested with Phytofare. A pooled analysis of 17 randomized trials (1,133 people) of brewed green tea or generic extracts found fasting glucose 0.09 mmol/L and HbA1c 0.30% lower than controls; a pooled analysis of 14 trials found total cholesterol 7.2 mg/dL and LDL 2.2 mg/dL lower. These are small, class-level changes, and the liver-injury caution for concentrated extracts still applies.

Mechanism of action

1

Catechin antioxidant action

EGCG and related catechins scavenge free radicals in laboratory tests. Whether this produces a measurable antioxidant effect in people taking Phytofare has not been studied.

2

Claimed higher bioavailability

Plandaí said its process, which extracted catechins from live (freshly picked) green tea leaves, kept more catechins intact and absorbable. This rests on company data that was never published.

Clinical trials

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Liver injury is the most serious risk. Green tea extract is the herbal product most often implicated in supplement-related liver injury in US studies (NIH LiverTox), including acute liver failure needing a transplant. EFSA (2018) found that 800 mg or more of EGCG a day from supplements raised liver enzymes in trials and could not identify a safe supplement dose; EU law now limits supplements to under 800 mg EGCG a day.
In a 12-month placebo-controlled trial, 843 mg EGCG a day as extract, taken with meals, raised liver enzymes, and 5.1% of women developed moderate or worse liver-test abnormalities (odds 7 times higher than placebo). Phytofare's EGCG per serving was never published, so a buyer cannot check a dose against that ceiling.
Take with a meal, never on an empty stomach, and count any other green tea products taken the same day. Stop and see a doctor promptly if you develop abdominal pain, nausea, dark urine, unusual tiredness or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Do not use with liver disease, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or under age 18. Minor digestive upset is the most common complaint.

Important Drug interactions

Caffeine: green tea extracts contain caffeine unless decaffeinated, and Phytofare's caffeine content was never published. Take care if you are sensitive to stimulants or use other caffeine sources.
Blood thinners and other prescription medicines: green tea catechins may interact with some drugs, so ask a pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
Other products that can affect the liver: do not combine with other green tea extracts, and check with a doctor if you take medicines or supplements known to strain the liver.

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Frequently asked questions about Phytofare® (Green Tea Catechin Extract, Plandaí)

What is Phytofare?

Phytofare® is a green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin extract developed by Plandaí Biotechnology from tea grown in South Africa, and sold on the claim that it is absorbed far better than ordinary green tea extract.

What is Phytofare used for?

Phytofare is researched primarily for Metabolic Health. EGCG and the other green tea catechins neutralize free radicals in laboratory tests. No study has measured an antioxidant effect of Phytofare in people.

What is the recommended dosage of Phytofare?

No studied dose: no trial of Phytofare for any health outcome has been published, and Plandaí never published a serving size or the EGCG content per serving. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Phytofare safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Phytofare include: Liver injury is the most serious risk. Green tea extract is the herbal product most often implicated in supplement-related liver injury in US studies (NIH LiverTox), including acute liver failure needing a transplant. It may also interact with some medications. Phytofare is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Phytofare interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Caffeine: green tea extracts contain caffeine unless decaffeinated, and Phytofare's caffeine content was never published. Take care if you are sensitive to stimulants or use other caffeine sources. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Phytofare?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Phytofare as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 7 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(7 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Andreu-Fernández V, Almeida Toledano L, Pizarro N, Navarro-Tapia E, Gómez-Roig MD, de la Torre R, García-Algar Ó Bioavailability of Epigallocatechin Gallate Administered With Different Nutritional Strategies in Healthy Volunteers. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(5):440. doi:10.3390/antiox9050440.PubMedUsed to support: Pharmacokinetic study in 10 healthy adults of Teavigo, a different branded EGCG extract (not Phytofare), taken alone after an overnight fast, with breakfast, or in a nutrient drink (FontUp). Blood EGCG was highest when Teavigo was taken alone on an empty stomach, and lower when taken with food. The study did not test Phytofare and measured blood levels only, not any health outcome.
  2. Basu A, Sanchez K, Leyva MJ, Wu M, Betts NM, Aston CE, Lyons TJ Green tea supplementation affects body weight, lipids, and lipid peroxidation in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2010;29(1):31-40. doi:10.1080/07315724.2010.10719814.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized 8-week trial in 35 adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome comparing 4 cups a day of brewed green tea, a generic green tea extract (Solaray, 2 capsules a day, about 460 mg EGCG; not Phytofare), or 4 cups of water, with no placebo capsule. Weight and BMI fell more in both green tea groups than in controls (about 2.5 kg). Only brewed tea lowered markers of lipid oxidation (MDA and HNE); the extract did not, and neither form significantly improved blood sugar or cholesterol.
  3. Yu Z, Samavat H, Dostal AM, Wang R, Torkelson CJ, Yang CS, Butler LM, Kensler TW, Wu AH, Kurzer MS, Yuan JM Effect of Green Tea Supplements on Liver Enzyme Elevation: Results from a Randomized Intervention Study in the United States. Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2017;10(10):571-579. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-17-0160.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-month trial in 1,021 women with normal liver tests. A generic green tea extract (843 mg EGCG a day, taken with meals; not Phytofare) raised ALT by 5.4 U/L and AST by 3.8 U/L more than placebo. 5.1% developed moderate or worse liver-test abnormalities (odds ratio 7.0 versus placebo); ALT returned to normal on stopping and rose again on rechallenge.
  4. Oketch-Rabah HA, Roe AL, Rider CV, Bonkovsky HL, Giancaspro GI, Navarro V, Paine MF, Betz JM, Marles RJ, Casper S, Gurley B, Jordan SA, He K, Kapoor MP, Rao TP, Sherker AH, Fontana RJ, Rossi S, Vuppalanchi R, Seeff LB, Stolz A, Ahmad J, Koh C, Serrano J, Low Dog T, Ko R United States Pharmacopeia (USP) comprehensive review of the hepatotoxicity of green tea extracts. Toxicology Reports. 2020;7:386-402. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.02.008.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic safety review by a USP expert panel. Repeated bolus doses of green tea extract taken while fasting raise EGCG absorption; case reports link liver injury to EGCG intakes from 140 mg to about 1,000 mg a day, with wide individual variation in susceptibility. USP's monograph for powdered decaffeinated green tea extract requires the label warning: do not take on an empty stomach, do not use with a liver problem, and stop and consult a practitioner if symptoms such as abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice appear.
  5. Jurgens TM, Whelan AM, Killian L, Doucette S, Kirk S, Foy E Green tea for weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;12(12):CD008650. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008650.pub2.PubMedUsed to support: Cochrane review of randomized trials of 12 weeks or longer in overweight or obese adults. Six trials outside Japan showed a pooled weight difference of -0.04 kg (not significant, 532 participants); eight Japanese trials ranged from -0.2 to -3.5 kg but could not be pooled. The authors concluded any weight loss from green tea preparations is small, statistically non-significant and not likely to be clinically important.
  6. Liu K, Zhou R, Wang B, Chen K, Shi LY, Zhu JD, Mi MT Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(2):340-348. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.052746.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials (1,133 subjects) of green tea beverages or generic green tea extracts, not Phytofare. Fasting glucose fell by 0.09 mmol/L and HbA1c by 0.30% compared with controls. Fasting insulin fell only in the subgroup of higher-quality trials. Backs the class-level glucose and HbA1c figures in the Metabolic Health benefit.
  7. Zheng XX, Xu YL, Li SH, Liu XX, Hui R, Huang XH Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(2):601-610. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.010926.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials (1,136 subjects) of green tea beverages or extracts, not Phytofare. Total cholesterol fell by 7.20 mg/dL and LDL cholesterol by 2.19 mg/dL; HDL did not change significantly. Backs the class-level cholesterol figures in the Metabolic Health benefit.