The researchers, who published their findings in the current online version of obesity, fed two groups of mice with a diet high in fat. Mice were fed epigallocatechin-3-gallate – EGCG – a compound found in most green teas, along with a high fat diet, weight increased by 45 percent slower than the control group of mice eating the same diet without EGCG.
“Our results suggest that if complemented with EGCG or green tea to gain weight more slowly,” said Lambert. In addition to the lower weight gain, mice fed the green tea supplement showed an increase of almost 30 percent of lipids in the feces, suggesting that EGCG limits the absorption of fat, according to Lambert.
“It seems that there are two ends of this,” said Lambert. “First, EGCG reduces fat absorption and, second, it improves the ability to use fat.” Green tea does not seem to suppress appetite. Both groups of mice were fed the same amount of foods high in fat and can eat at any time. “There is no difference in the amount of food you are eating mice,” said Lambert. “The mice are essentially eating a milkshake, with the exception of a group is to eat a milk shake with green tea.”
A person would have to take ten cups of green tea each day to match the amount of EGCG used in the study, according to Lambert. However, he said that recent studies indicate that only drink several cups of green tea can help control weight. “The data in humans – and not much at this point – shows that tea drinkers consume only one or more cups a day to see the effects on body weight compared with nonusers,” said Lambert.
Lambert, who worked with Kimberly Sudathip Grove and Sae-tan, both graduate students in food science, and Mary Kennett, professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, said other experiments have shown that lean mice did not gain as much weight green tea is combined with a diet rich in fat. However, he said that the study of mice that are already overweight is more relevant to humans because people tend to consider changes in the diet only when they realize the problems associated with obesity.
“Most people affected middle-aged paunch and a warning, and then you decide to eat less, exercise and add green tea supplement,” said Lambert.
