Tea decoctions found to prevent increase in body weight in rats fed high-fat diet

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism has examined whether tea decoctions prevent body weight gain in rats that were given a high-fat diet.

• Researchers from the University of Tunis El Manar and the University of Carthage in Tunisia and DHU Université Paris Diderot in Paris looked at the long-term effect of a decoction of green and black tea that was administered for 15 minutes. The tea decoction was prepared at a dose of five percent on lipid digestion and weight gain in rats fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks.
• The rats were divided into three groups, with 10 to 12 rats each group. One group was given the control treatment, another group was given a green tea decoction, and the last group was given a black tea decoction.
• The researchers measured the food and fluid intake of the subjects every day and measured weight gains once a week.
• They also collected fecal matter twice a week for total polyphenolic compounds, caffeine, total lipids, and triglycerides analysis.
• Moreover, they removed liver, perirenal, and epididymal adipose tissues, while blood was collected for the same analysis and leptin level.
• Results showed that the green tea decoction and black tea decoction reduced the liver content of total lipids and triglycerides, plasma triglycerides, glucose, and total cholesterol.
• Both tea decoctions also reduced lipid digestion by increasing fecal lipids and triglycerides excretion. Additionally, adipose tissue gains were also reduced, which is in line with the reduction of circulating leptin levels.
• Furthermore, both tea decoctions reduced body weight gain of rats fed with high-fat diet. However, the black tea decoction was more efficient than green tea decoction.

The findings of the study indicated that long-term consumption of beverages that contain high levels of total polyphenolic compounds and caffeine could potentially prevent obesity.

For the full text of the study, go to this link.

Journal Reference:

Hamdaoui MH, Snoussi C, Dhaouadi K, Fattouch S, Ducroc R, Le Gall Maude, Bado A. TEA DECOCTIONS PREVENT BODY WEIGHT GAIN IN RATS FED HIGH-FAT DIET; BLACK TEA BEING MORE EFFICIENT THAN GREEN TEA. Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism. 2016; 6: 33-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnim.2016.07.002