- A compound in green tea, EGCG, significantly reduces fat when given to mice
- Such mice also perform significantly better in cognition and memory tasks
- EGCG is the most abundant antioxidant present in the universally popular drink
- Researchers say drinking green tea may be preferred over medicine for some
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
6
View
comments
Drinking green tea does help with weight loss and boost brain function, new research claims.
The beverage has long been a favorite among dieters, and many tea brands tout its metabolism-boosting qualities.
Now a study on mice appears to confirm that the drink can have a transformative effect in just a few months.
Researchers in Yangling, China, found that when a key compound in green tea, known as EGCG, was given to mice, their body fat significantly reduced.
Such mice also performed significantly better in cognition and memory tests, the research adds.
Drinking green tea may help with weight loss and boost brain function, new research suggests
-
Getting TOO MUCH sleep? More than nine hours shut eye may…
Eating disorders are no longer a ‘female problem’: Numbers…
Long-term use of anabolic steroids damages the heart, study…
Struggle with weight gain? Blame your taste buds! Impaired…
How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed three-month-old male mice.
For 16 weeks, the mice were either fed a standard diet, a high fructose diet or a high fructose diet plus two grams of EGCG per litre of water.
EGCG is the most abundant antioxidant in green tea.
As well as measuring the mice’s body fat, the researchers also had them complete a Morris water maze test.
This involves placing the rodents in a pool and requiring they find a platform that allows them to escape the water.
Key findings
Results reveal that the mice fed just a high fructose diet had significantly higher body fat than those who were also given EGCG or a standard diet.
The mice given EGCG also took significantly less time finding the escape platform than those given just high fructose.
Once the platform was removed, the mice given EGCG were also better able to find alternate routes out of the pool.
The findings were published in The FASEB Journal.
Study author Dr Xuebo Liu from Northwest AF University in Yangling, China, said: ‘Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water and is grown in at least 30 countries.
‘The ancient habit of drinking green tea may be a more acceptable alternative to medicine when it comes to combating obesity and memory impairment.’
Share or comment on this article
-
On the pr-owl! Stern-faced looking owl appears to be… -
Carpet burn-out! Bizarre moment dog loses the plot… -
Boy, 9, with Down’s Syndrome who gets lost in the moment… -
Utility worker shoots and kills a Michigan family’s dog… -
Poochy-licious! Hilarious moment cute French Bulldog… -
Chicken burg-lar! Hunt for hungry thief who jumped over a… -
God gave rock and roll to moo! Calf born in Texas that… -
Heart-warming moment mother elephant comes to the rescue… -
Pedestrians in Honolulu facing fines of up to $100 if… -
Is there room for one more? Thousands cram into a Chinese… -
Dozens of drug cases are dismissed after a Baltimore… -
‘I want that Mulan McNugget sauce!’: McDonald’s ‘opens a… -
Horrifying video shows man break into Chicago home as… -
Four-year-old boy dies after accidentally shooting… -
Striking unseen photographs of David Bowie show the… -
Kremlin says Washington needs to rid itself of ‘political… -
Transgender US Army captain, 28, who announced her… -
Wife of Utah father ‘going through something’ makes…
Comments 6
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.