In a nutshell
This review looked at the effect of green tea extract for people who were overweight and had type 2 diabetes (T2D). It found that tea extract reduced body weight in these patients.
Some background
T2D is a metabolic condition in which the body has difficulty controlling the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. T2D is closely related to obesity, and reducing body weight can improve glucose control. Unfortunately, many of the medications for T2D including insulin can cause weight gain. There is an interest in finding additional methods to support weight control for patients with T2D.
Some studies have found green tea extract may improve body weight control. Tea extract supplements contain catechins, which are a type of antioxidant. Catechins increase the hormone norepinephrine. This hormone prepares the body for action, including directing fat cells to break down more fat for energy. Catechins may also increase the use of fat during exercise.
Researchers are continuing to investigate green tea extract for people with T2D.
Methods & findings
This analysis included 11 studies conducted in five countries around the world. 10 of the studies used green tea extract, and 1 used brewed green tea. All of the participants had T2D. The participants were randomly assigned to either use green tea or an inactive placebo. The studies lasted between 8 and 16 weeks.
Bodyweight was looked at by 9 studies of 546 participants. After 8 weeks, the participants using green tea lost significantly more weight compared to those taking placebo (0.40 kg / 0.9 lbs).
4 studies with 251 participants measured body fat. This can be done with calipers, an instrument that measures how much the skin stretches. Green tea led to a lower body fat percentage, with a reduction of 0.56% over the course of 8 weeks or more.
The bottom line
This study found that using green tea extract helped reduce body weight and body fat for patients with T2D.
The fine print
Some of the studies had characteristics that could bias the outcome, such as the research personnel knowing which patients were receiving tea extract. Also, there was no information regarding green tea use on blood glucose.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor about whether tea extract supplements are right for you, or consider including green tea in your diet.
Published By :
Complementary medicine research
Date :
Nov 18, 2020
