Comparison
EGCG vs Glutathione
Side-by-side of EGCG and Glutathione. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
EGCG
EGCG supplement guide: 300-600 mg/day green tea catechin for fat loss and cardiovascular markers. Hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day fasted.
Glutathione
Glutathione (GSH) is the body's primary intracellular antioxidant. Oral supplementation has variable bioavailability; sublingual, liposomal, and IV forms.
Effects at a glance
EGCG
- •Modest fat loss (~1.3 kg over 12 weeks) when combined with caffeine and caloric deficit
- •Small reductions in LDL cholesterol (3-6 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (2-3 mmHg)
- •EFSA flags hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day, particularly when taken fasted
- •Bioavailability is 0.1-1.0%; gut microbiome variation drives population-variable response
- •Green tea extract typically combines EGCG with caffeine and L-theanine for additive effects
- •Reduces non-heme iron absorption when co-administered with meals
Glutathione
- •Body's primary intracellular antioxidant; tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine, glycine
- •Oral bioavailability poor; sublingual, liposomal, IV more reliable
- •Richie 2014 trial showed body GSH store increases at 250-1000 mg/day for 6 months
- •NAC supplementation often more cost-effective indirect strategy
- •Modest signals in NAFLD, skin aging, immune support; weak in cardiovascular
Side-by-side
| Attribute | EGCG | Glutathione |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | supplement |
| Also known as | epigallocatechin gallate, green tea extract | GSH, L-glutathione, reduced glutathione |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 3 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 400 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | daily, often divided |
| Routes | oral | oral, sublingual, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 1.5 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 458.37 | 307.32 |
| Molecular formula | C22H18O11 | C10H17N3O6S |
| Mechanism | Inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to prolong norepinephrine signaling; activates AMPK; scavenges reactive oxygen species via gallate ester; modulates gut microbiome and pancreatic lipase activity. | Tripeptide antioxidant; substrate for glutathione peroxidase (H2O2 reduction), GST (xenobiotic conjugation), glutaredoxin (redox signaling). GSH:GSSG ratio is the central cellular redox indicator. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement; warning labels required above 800 mg/day in some EU jurisdictions | OTC dietary supplement |
| WADA status | allowed | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | OTC supplement |
| Pregnancy | Avoid high-dose extracts; moderate green tea consumption appears acceptable | Insufficient data at supplemental doses; endogenous compound is safe |
| CAS | 989-51-5 | 70-18-8 |
| PubChem CID | 65064 | 124886 |
| Wikidata | Q307091 | Q116907 |
Safety profile
EGCG
Common side effects
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhea
- jitteriness (with caffeine)
- sleep disruption (with caffeine)
Contraindications
- pregnancy at high-dose extracts
- active liver disease
- iron deficiency anemia (separate dosing)
Interactions
- iron supplements: reduces non-heme iron absorption; separate by 2 to 3 hours(moderate)
- anticoagulants: additive effects at high catechin doses(minor)
- beta-blockers (nadolol): reduced absorption when taken simultaneously(moderate)
- hepatotoxic supplements (high-dose niacin, kava): theoretical additive hepatotoxicity at high EGCG doses(moderate)
- stimulants and caffeine: additive thermogenic and cardiovascular effects(minor)
Glutathione
Common side effects
- mild GI upset
Contraindications
- asthma (IV / inhaled forms specifically)
- active chemotherapy without oncologist guidance
Interactions
- chemotherapy agents: theoretical interference with GSH-depletion-dependent agents(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
EGCG and Glutathione score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is cardiovascular health, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is liver function, pick Glutathione.
- → If your priority is immune support, pick Glutathione.
Edge case: Half-lives differ materially (EGCG ~3 hr vs Glutathione ~0.5 hr). EGCG reaches steady state faster; Glutathione is easier to dial in if tolerability is uncertain.
Default choice: either is defensible. EGCG edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; Glutathione is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between EGCG and Glutathione?
EGCG and Glutathione differ in category (natural vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, EGCG or Glutathione?
EGCG half-life is 3 hours; Glutathione half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack EGCG with Glutathione?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper