We investigated the effects of continuous ingestion of a catechin-rich beverage in patients with type 2 diabetes who were not receiving insulin (Ins) therapy in a double-blind controlled study. The participants ingested green tea containing either 582.8 mg of catechins (catechin group; n = 23) or 96.3 mg of catechins (control group; n = 20) per day for 12 weeks. At week 12, the decrease in waist circumference was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. Adiponectin, which is negatively correlated with visceral adiposity, increased significantly only in the catechin group. Although the increase in Ins at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group, no apparent difference was noted between the two groups in glucose and hemoglobin A1c. In patients treated with insulinotropic agents, the increase in Ins at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. This significant increase in Ins levels was observed only in the catechin group. In the catechin group receiving other treatments, Ins levels remained unchanged. In addition, in patients treated with insulinotropic agents, the decrease in hemoglobin A1c at week 12 was significantly greater in the catechin group than in the control group. These results suggest that a catechin-rich beverage might have several therapeutic uses: in the prevention of obesity; in the recovery of Ins-secretory ability; and, as a way to maintain low hemoglobin A1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients who do not yet require Ins therapy.

“The accumulation of thirty minutes of daily activity in addition to making healthy dietary choices can result in slow but steady changes in general wellness. For those who are type II diabetic or at risk of type II diabetes, adding more than 400 mg of EGCG per day can have a therapeutic affect! The changes noted from this study suggest a significant difference in insulin needs for at risk and current diabetics. Simple consistent changes lead to great differences over time.” – Josh Smith

Obesity (2009) doi:10.1038/oby.2009.256

Hongqiang Wang¹, Yibo Wen¹, Yaping Du¹, Xiuyuan Yan¹, Hongwei Guo², Jane A. Rycroft³, Niels Boon⁴, Eva M.R. Kovacs⁴ and David J. Mela⁴ Received 30 October 2008; Accepted 2 July 2009; Published online 13 August 2009.

Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many “functional” foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high-catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high-catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high-catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high-catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra-abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm² in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high-catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects.

“What an interesting study!  The moral of the story here is that ingesting 400-800 mg of EGCG per day results in a reduction of weight and waist.  An additional insight here is that majority of individuals who lose weight (more than 10 lbs) will gain it all back in 5 years.  The secret is to have a long term contingency plan that will help you keep the weight off.  My recommendation is to use one Peach Cream, one Muscle Pump and a Beauty Tea each day!” – Josh Smith

The benefits of drinking green tea in our body are so remarkable that it is believed that the key to a longer life may be brewing in your cup!

Catechin suppresses the formation of plaque by cariogenic bacteria and also kills the bacteria themselves.It also kills other bacteria that cause bad breath. Green tea contains natural fluorine which helps prevent cavities.

Consuming agents that are effective antioxidants will slow the aging process. Green tea is rich in vitamin E, which works as antioxidant. Also, catechin in green tea is a very strong antioxidant.

High Blood Pressure: Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control. Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person’s risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.

There are four primary polyphenols in green tea and they are often collectively referred to as catechins. Powerful antioxidants, catechins have been shown in recent studies to fight viruses, slow aging, and have a beneficial effect on health. Clinical tests have shown that catechins destroy free radicals and have far-reaching positive effects on the entire body.

Green tea also contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols particularly the said epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These compounds work with other chemicals in the body to increase the levels of oxidation of fat and it raises one’s metabolic rate. As a result, the body burns fuels as fat and this will help in your weight loss program. Drink just a couple of cups of green tea a day and this will help to boost your immune system. Not only will it give you that energy boost but it will also give you more endurance to work out longer as part of your exercise program.

One of the best benefits of drinking green tea is its ability to fight bacteria. This gives your immune system a boost. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and subsequent tooth decay. Green tea can help fight food poisoning, as well.