British Journal of Nutrition
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 101 / Issue 06 / March 2009, pp 886-894
- Copyright © The Authors 2008
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114508047727 (About DOI), Published online: 19 August 2008
Full Papers
Nutritional Supplementation
Effects of dietary supplementation with the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate on insulin resistance and associated metabolic risk factors: randomized controlled trial
A. Louise Browna1 c1, Joan Lanea1, Jacqueline Coverlya1, Janice Stocksa1, Sarah Jacksona2, Alison Stephena2, Les Blucka2, Andy Cowarda2 and Hilde Hendrickxa1
a1 Unilever Corporate Research, Colworth Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
a2 MRC-Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
Abstract
Animal evidence indicates that green tea may modulate insulin sensitivity, with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) proposed as a likely health-promoting component. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with EGCG on insulin resistance and associated metabolic risk factors in man. Overweight or obese male subjects, aged 40–65 years, were randomly assigned to take 400 mg capsules of EGCG (n 46) or the placebo lactose (n 42), twice daily for 8 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance testing and measurement of metabolic risk factors (BMI, waist circumference, percentage body fat, blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TAG) was conducted pre- and post-intervention. Mood was evaluated weekly using the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology mood adjective checklist. EGCG treatment had no effect on insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion or glucose tolerance but did reduce diastolic blood pressure (mean change: placebo − 0·058 (se 0·75) mmHg; EGCG − 2·68 (se 0·72) mmHg; P = 0·014). No significant change in the other metabolic risk factors was observed. The EGCG group also reported feeling in a more positive mood than the placebo group across the intervention period (mean score for hedonic tone: EGCG, 29·11 (se 0·44); placebo, 27·84 (se 0·46); P = 0·048). In conclusion, regular intake of EGCG had no effect on insulin resistance but did result in a modest reduction in diastolic blood pressure. This antihypertensive effect may contribute to some of the cardiovascular benefits associated with habitual green tea consumption. EGCG treatment also had a positive effect on mood. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and investigate their mechanistic basis.
(Received February 15 2008)
(Revised June 05 2008)
(Accepted June 23 2008)
(Online publication August 19 2008)
Key Words:
Correspondence:
c1 Corresponding author: Dr A. Louise Brown, fax +44 1234 248010, email Louise.Brown@unilever.com
Footnotes
Abbreviations: EGCG, epigallocatechin-3-gallate; HOMAIR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test; UWIST, University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology
