Methods of decreasing muscle function decline and improving muscle function in a subject are provided. The methods utilize an effective amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) to increase the level of muscle vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), to decrease myostatin levels, or both, and thereby decrease muscle function decline or improve muscle function. The EGCg may be provided as part of a nutritional composition.
