Researchers at Penn State found that a compound in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), may significantly reduce weight gain in people who eat high-fat diets.
Researchers found that a control group of obese mice who were fed EGCG in addition to a high-fat diet gained weight 44 percent slower than mice who were fed the same diet without the compound. The green-tree-drinking mice also absorbed 30 percent less fat.
“Our work suggests that EGCG inhibits an enzyme called pancreatic lipase (PL), which is secreted into the intestine when you eat and is the most important enzyme for the digestion of dietary fat,” explains study author Joshua Lambert, assistant professor of food science at Pennsylvania State University. “EGCG, in the test tube, inhibits this enzyme at relatively low concentrations. Definitely concentrations that are achieved in the intestine when you drink a cup or two of tea.”
The mice treated with EGCG had elevated fecal fat content, which suggests that the fat is not being digested, and is instead passing through the intestines.
Unfortunately, Lambert believes human beings would have to drink 10 cups of green tea per day to equal the EGCG given to the mice, but further research is required.
10 cups a day might be too much, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink it anyway! EGCG is also known to have anti-cancer properties, and may even help muscle recovery. Brazilian scientists found that participants who consumed three cups of green tea every day for a week had less cell damage caused by resistance to exercise. So drinking a few cups every day may help your muscles recover faster after a workout!
