Green tea extract promotes fat oxidation and improves glucose tolerance
Tea consumption is reportedly associated with various health-promoting properties. For example, it has been shown to promote fat oxidation in humans at rest and to prevent obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in mice.
Researchers investigated the effects of ingestion of green tea extract (GTE) on glucose tolerance and fat oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise in humans.
Two studies were performed, both with a counter-balanced crossover design. In study A, 12 healthy men performed a 30-min cycling exercise at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption before and after supplementation. In study B, 11 healthy men took an oral-glucose-tolerance test before and after supplementation. In the 24-hour period before the experimental trials, participants ingested 3 capsules containing either GTE or a corn-flour placebo.
Results showed the average fat oxidation rates were 17% higher after ingestion of GTE than after ingestion of placebo. Moreover, the contribution of fat oxidation to total energy expenditure was also significantly higher, by a similar percentage, after GTE supplementation. The insulin area under the curve decreased in both the GTE and placebo trials 120 min, respectively; and there was an increase of 13% in insulin sensitivity.
The researchers concluded that GTE ingestion can increase fat oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise and can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in healthy young men. (1)
(1) American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, No. 3, 778-784, March 2008