Many consumers are confident in the health benefits of green tea and scientists are currently looking at ways to improve supplements so that the beneficial compounds are absorbed better by the body.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, compounds that are thought to protect against many health problems.
However, the main 'catechin' polyphenols are not easily absorbed by the body so scientists are trying to find ways to make them more 'bioavailable'.
According to lead author Bing Hu from Nanjing Agricultural University in China, the researchers believe that nanotechnology could provide the answer.
They have been developing technology whereby the tea catechins can be encapsulated in nanoparticles, helping to enhance the delivery of the compounds.
Publishing their findings in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the researchers wrote: "Tea catechins have received great attention due to their biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-tumour activities.
"On the other hand, the oral bioavailability of tea catechins is known to be low, between two and five per cent."
Green tea is suggested to help reduce the risk of cancer, alleviate rheumatoid arthritis and treat heartburn.
Many consumers are confident in the health benefits of 
