Does Green Tea Catechin Help Weight Loss?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
This study, "Does green tea catechin enhance weight-loss effect of exercise training in overweight and obese individuals? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials" investigates the potential synergistic effects of green tea catechins combined with exercise training on weight loss and lipid profiles in overweight and obese individuals.
Key Points
Objective: The study aims to determine if the ingestion of green tea catechins to combined with exercise training enhances weight loss and improves lipid profiles more than exercise alone.
Methodology:
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, analysing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared exercise training combined with green tea (EX+GT) to exercise training alone (EX+P).
The researchers systematically searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, ultimately identifying 10 qualifying studies from an initial pool of 1,362.
Findings:
Weight Loss: The analysis revealed a small but statistically significant effect on weight loss when comparing EX+GT to EX+P, with a standardised mean difference (SMD) of -0.30.
Body Mass Index (BMI): Similar results were found for BMI, with an SMD of -0.33, indicating a modest reduction.
Fat Reduction: Fat mass also showed a small reduction (SMD = -0.29) with the combined intervention.
Lipid Profile: There was no significant improvement in lipid profiles (triglycerides, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol) when comparing EX+GT to EX+P. This suggests that while green tea may aid in weight loss, it does not enhance lipid profile improvements beyond what exercise alone can achieve.
Quality of Studies: The included studies generally had good methodological quality as assessed by the PEDro scale.
Practical Takeaways
Minimal Additive Benefit: While green tea catechins can contribute to weight loss when combined with exercise, their effect is minimal and may not be clinically significant for weight management.
Exercise Remains Key: The findings reinforce the importance of exercise as the primary method for achieving weight loss and improving health outcomes in overweight and obese individuals.
Further Research Needed: The study calls for additional research to explore the long-term effects and potential mechanisms through which green tea may influence weight management and metabolic health.
This systematic review highlights that while green tea catechins have some benefits for weight loss, they should not be relied upon as a primary strategy for obesity management compared to consistent exercise regimens.
Reference
Gholami, F., Antonio, J., Iranpour, M., Curtis, J., & Pereira, F. (2024). Does green tea catechin enhance weight-loss effect of exercise training in overweight and obese individuals? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2411029