Catechins

Catechins are a group of plant compounds in the flavan-3-ol branch of the flavonoid family. Flavonoids are themselves part of the broader group called polyphenols. The plural name describes related molecules, whereas “catechin” can name one particular member. These compounds occur in plants, including tea and cacao .¹

Members share a basic molecular framework but differ in the arrangement of parts of that structure. Catechin and epicatechin, for example, differ in their three-dimensional configuration. Other members have additional hydroxy groups, which contain oxygen and hydrogen, or an attached gallate group derived from gallic acid. Epigallocatechin gallate, often abbreviated EGCG, is one such member .¹

Catechin units can also join together to form larger molecules called proanthocyanidins, a group of condensed tannins. These larger compounds are distinct from the individual catechin molecules used to build them .¹