Therapeutic potential of green tea on risk factors for type 2 diabetes in obese adults - a review

Obes Rev. 2016 Dec;17(12):1316-1328. doi: 10.1111/obr.12452. Epub 2016 Jul 22.

Abstract

Green tea has been associated with positive effects in the treatment of obesity and other associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. These benefits are thought to be related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of green tea and to the reduction in body fat percentage exhibited by its bioactive compounds. The predominant active compounds in green tea are flavonoid monomers known as catechins, in particular epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is the most abundant and most effective catechin in metabolic care, particularly among obese patients. The objective of this review was to investigate the effects of green tea on body composition, oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin resistance, risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals and the mechanisms that underlie the modulatory actions of green tea compounds on these risk factors. Although green tea has therapeutic potential in the treatment of obese individuals, the findings of this review demonstrate the need for a greater number of studies to confirm the positive effects of green tea, especially regarding the modulation of obesity.

Keywords: Camellia sinensis; diabetes mellitus; insulin resistance; obesity.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Body Composition
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Tea / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Tea
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate