Green tea has long been viewed as a health promoting herb and a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 2005;81(1):122-129) shows it can lower various measures of body fat and is associated with lower MDA-LDL cholesterol (an oxidized form) levels. Obesity is a predisposing factor in many chronic illnesses and will soon surpass smoking as the major causative factor in death. The authors of the study say, "High body fat increases the risk of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, which leads to arteriosclerotic disease."
Green tea has a long history of use throughout Asia, being touted as one of the major health tonics. As well, green tea consumption has been suggested as one of the reasons lifestyle diseases of the Western World are reduced in incidence in Asia. Researchers have been quite interested in a particular category of compounds in green tea called polyphenols. This group of plant compounds contains the widely marketed constituent, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), publicized as a weight loss aid.
In the present study, 38 male subjects were recruited in Tokyo who were normal to overweight and aged 24-46 years. They were divided into groups given a 690mg high-catechin extract of green tea or base beverage (control) and consumed a structured weight loss diet for twelve weeks. Body fat measurements, CT images and serum levels of cholesterol, lipids and blood glucose were obtained. The results showed that body weight, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, body fat mass, and subcutaneous fat area were all significantly lower in the group consuming green tea extract versus the control group. As well, there was a positive association with reduced MDA-LDL cholesterol in the green tea group.
The authors conclude that the catechins found in green tea can reduce body fat mildly over the course of twelve weeks without the incidence of side effects. The mechanism of action requires further investigation. They state, "These results suggest that catechins contribute to the prevention of and improvement in various lifestyle-related diseases, particularly obesity." Certainly the addition of green tea extract to one's diet can be yet another tool in health promotion.
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