Effects of Green Tea Consumption on Serum Lipid Pattern in Women.
Abstract
Background: Dyslipidaemia is an important risk factor for Coronary artery diseases (CAD) and stroke. The National
Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP-III) suggested lifestyle intervention including diet, exercise
and judicious use of pharmacologic agent for management of CAD. Green tea became very much popular due to various
pharmacological effect and nutritional profile. Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate the beneficial effects
of green tea on lipid profile in women. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted in the
Department of Physiology of Dhaka Medical College from January 2016 to December 2016. After fulfilling the ethical
aspect, a total number of 42 women with age ranging from 40 to 50 years were selected and randomly assigned in study
group (22 women) and control group (20 women). Study group consumed green tea for 12 weeks and the control group
did not consume green tea. The study variables were serum lipid profile levels. Variables of both groups were estimated 2
times (at baseline and after 12 weeks). Data were analyzed by paired Student’s ‘t’ test and unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test.
Results: After intervention, significantly lower values were found in following variables [TC (p<0.001), LDL (p<0.001),
TG (p<0.05)] in study group in comparison to their baseline values. Moreover, significant reduction in LDL (p<0.001),
TC and TG (p<0.05) was observed in study group comparison to that control group after 12 weeks. No significant change
was observed in HDL level in both group afer green tea consumption. Conclusions: The study concluded that, regular
consumption of green tea may improve lipid profile.
Introduction
Dyslipidemia plays a crucial role in development of cardiovascular diseases, which has become the leading cause of death in most developed countries as well as developing countries including Bangladesh.'? According to WHO, 17.7 million people died from CVD in 2015, representing 31% of global death. 80% of these deaths occur in the population from lower and middle income countries like Bangladesh. * Green tea, one of the healthiest drinks is rich in caffeine, antioxidant polyphenol and other beneficial nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. The polyphenols are rich in catechins and the EGCG is the strongest bioactive polyphenol. From centuries it was used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for various diseases. A number of studies showed its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti- allergic, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective properties. It also decreases platelets aggregation, stimulates the immune system and modulates detoxification of enzymes. It also has potential benefit on Alzheimer’s diseases, heart diseases, stroke and inflammatory skin diseases.*® Some study showed that it can reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) thereby lower the incidence of chronic disease that may occur due to the consequences of increased oxidative stress.” An epidemiological survey exhibited that regular green tea drinking population like Japanese have low risk of type 2 DM and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Daily intake of more than two cups per day can lower the plasma cholesterol level and reduce the risk of death from CVD by 22-33%.* It also stimulates hepatic beta- oxidation and has hypolipidemic activity.’