It almost seems a bit redundant to point out that tea might have the
ability to alleviate fatigue. After all, for many people who drink it
(and coffee) that's one of tea's most appealing features. But,
according to more than one study, it's not just the caffeine content
of tea that imparts this benefit.

Recent research in Japan appears to have confirmed what for many
people was already a given, that tea may help cut down on physical and
mental fatigue. Results of a study that appeared in the journal
Nutrition in 2008 indicated that a green tea extract helped counter
the accumulated effects of fatigue.

The tests were carried out on rats and found that those fed a green
tea compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were able to
exercise longer than animals in a control group. Researchers noted
that those in the control group experienced increased levels of
thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), which were lessened in
the group given EGCG.