Different outcomes of the effect of green tea on weight loss (WL) and weight maintenance (WM) have been reported in studies with subjects differing in ethnicity and habitual caffeine intake. Purpose. To elucidate by meta-analysis whether green tea indeed has a function in body weight regulation.Methods. English-language studies about WL and WM after green tea supplementation were identified through PubMed and based on the references from retrieved articles. Out of the 49 studies initially identified, a total of 11 articles fitted the inclusion criteria and provided useful information for the meta-analysis. Effect sizes (mean weight change in treatment versus control group) were computed and aggregated based on a random-effects model. The influence of several moderators on the effect sizes was examined.  Results. Catechins significantly decreased body weight and significantly maintained body weight after a period of WL (^m¼_1.31 kg; Po0.001). Inhibition of this effect by high habitual caffeine intake (4300mg per day) failed to reach significance (^m¼_0.27 kg for high and ^m¼_1.60 kg for low habitual caffeine intake; P¼0.09). Also, the seemingly smaller effect of catechins in Caucasian (^m¼_0.82 kg) subjects compared with Asians (^m¼–1.51 kg; P¼0.37) did not reach significance.  Interaction of ethnicity and caffeine intake was a significant moderator (P¼0.04).  Conclusions. Catechins or an epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)–caffeine mixture have a positive effect on WL and WM. The results suggest that habitual caffeine intake and ethnicity may be moderators, as they may influence the effect of catechins.  International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 956–961

“This meta-analysis or review of literature was most helpful for establishing a baseline of EGCG’s necessary for weight loss.  As you read this particular study, you’ll see that the average amount was right around 500 mg per day.  Two of the studies gave participants more than 1,000 mg of EGCG per day and found that there was no added benefit for weight loss to having more than 1,000 mg of EGCG per day.   An interesting insight from the analysis is that getting the right amount every day is more powerful than trying to over-consume in a short period of time.  The take home message here is get the right amount of EGCG’s, but do it every day.”  – Josh Smith

“Consuming beverages enhanced with green tea extract provides a protective effect against oral cancer according to this study published in November of 2009.  The ability of EGCG to kill harmul viruses and bacteria continues to be explored.  The chemoprotective effects of EGCG from a green tea extract provide substantial benefit for multiple reasons.  This study investigated the benefit of drinking green tea enhanced beverages versus taking a pill or small concentrated dose.”   – Josh Smith

One more day of voting. Make your vote count.

Carmen Cabrera, PhD, Reyes Artacho, PhD, Rafael Gime´nez, PhD.   Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 25, No. 2, 79–99 (2006)

Tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water. Green tea is a ‘non-fermented’ tea, and contains more catechins, than black tea or oolong tea. Catechins are in vitro and in vivo strong antioxidants. In addition, its content of certain minerals and vitamins increases the antioxidant potential of this type of tea. Since ancient times, green tea has been considered by the traditional Chinese medicine as a healthful beverage. Recent human studies suggest that green tea may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer, as well as to the promotion of oral health and other physiological functions such as anti-hypertensive effect, body weight control, antibacterial and antivirasic activity, solar ultraviolet protection, bone mineral density increase, anti-fibrotic properties, and neuroprotective power. Increasing interest in its health benefits has led to the inclusion of green tea in the group of beverages with functional properties. However, although all the evidence from research on green tea is very promising, future studies are necessary to fully understand its contributions to human health, and advise its regular consumption in Western diets, in which green tea consumption is nowadays limited and sporadic. 

“This article published a few years ago, is a must have reference for the health and wellness enthusiast as well as the green tea fan!  The benefits of regular green tea consmption range from improving factors underlying cholesterol to improving body weight regulation and fighting bad breath.  If you’re not currently in the habit of consuming the right amount and the right type of green tea, it’s time to start participating in the benefits!”   – Josh Smith

Background: Experimental and animal studies have shown the activities of catechins, the main constituents of green tea, against infectious agents. No data are available on the association between green tea consumption and the risk of pneumonia in humans. Objective: We examined the association between green tea consumption and death from pneumonia in humans. Design: We conducted a population-based cohort study, with follow-up from 1995 to 2006. The participants were National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Japan (19,079 men and 21,493 women aged 40–79 y). We excluded participants for whom data on green tea consumption frequency were missing or who had reported a history of cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, and extreme daily energy intake at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% CIs for death from pneumonia according to green tea consumption. Results: Over 12 y of follow-up, we documented 406 deaths from pneumonia. In women, the multivariate HRs of death from pneumonia that were associated with different frequencies of green tea consumption were 1.00 (reference) for <1 cup/d, 0.59 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.98) for 1–2 cups/d, 0.55 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.91) for 3–4 cups/d, and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.83) for 5 cups/d, respectively (P for trend: 0.008). In men, no significant association was observed. Conclusion: Green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of death from pneumonia in Japanese women.

“One of the most impressive aspects of this study was the 12 year follow up period and how many participants were involved.  Most of us don’t think about the protective affects of the beverages we drink on a daily basis.  One of the questions we should be asking ourselves each and every day is how the substances we consume are either supporting general health or taking away from it!  This prospective study shows some great benefits not generally talked about with green tea consumption.”  – Josh Smith

WESTERTERP-PLANTENGA, MARGRIET S.,MANUELA P.G.M. LEJEUNE, AND EVA M. R. KOVACS.  Obes Res. 2005;13:1195–1204.

Abstract:  Investigation of the effect of a green tea-caffeine mixture on weight maintenance after body weight loss in moderately obese subjects in relation to habitual caffeine intake.Research Methods and Procedures: A randomized placebo- controlled double blind parallel trial in 76 overweight and moderately obese subjects, (BMI, 27.5 _ 2.7 kg/m2) matched for sex, age, BMI, height, body mass, and habitual caffeine intake was conducted. A very low energy diet intervention during 4 weeks was followed by 3 months of weight maintenance (WM); during the WM period, the subjects received a green tea-caffeine mixture (270 mg epigallocatechin gallate _ 150 mg caffeine per day) or placebo. Results: Subjects lost 5.9 _1.8 (SD) kg (7.0 _ 2.1%) of body weight (p _ 0.001). At baseline, satiety was positively,and in women, leptin was inversely, related to subjects’ habitual caffeine consumption (p _ 0.01). High caffeine consumers reduced weight, fat mass, and waist circumference more than low caffeine consumers; resting energy expenditure was reduced less and respiratory quotient was reduced more during weight loss (p _ 0.01). In the low caffeine consumers, during WM, green tea still reduced body weight, waist, respiratory quotient and body fat,whereas resting energy expenditure was increased compared with a restoration of these variables with placebo (p _0.01). In the high caffeine consumers, no effects of the green tea-caffeine mixture were observed during WM. Discussion: High caffeine intake was associated with weight loss through thermogenesis and fat oxidation and with suppressed leptin in women. In habitual low caffeine consumers, the green tea-caffeine mixture improved WM, partly through thermogenesis and fat oxidation.

“Regular consumption of green tea provides a thermogenic affect for weight loss and weight maintenance.  A highlight from this study is the evidence of the use of EGCG as a thermogenic aid.  A thermogenic aid is something that wastes energy in the form of heat, instead of producing energy for the body.  The key to long term success with body weight is having a plan to maintain the progress we make through diet and exercise!” - Josh Smith