Randomized controlled trial for an effect of catechin-enriched green tea consumption on adiponectin and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Sone T, Kuriyama S, Nakaya N, Hozawa A, Shimazu T, Nomura K, Rikimaru S, Tsuji I

Food & nutrition research · January 1, 2011

Background: Previous observational studies have indicated that green tea (GT) consumption is associated with reduced mortality from cerebral infarction. We hypothesized that GT exerts a direct antiatherosclerotic effect, and focused on adiponectin, a key player in atherosclerosis. Objective: To assess whether the consumption of catechin-enriched GT affects serum adiponectin levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among apparently healthy subjects. Design: A total of 51 individuals participated. Eligible participants were randomly assigned into GT consumption groups with either high catechin (400 mg/day) or low catechin (100 mg/day) for 9 weeks. Results: After intervention for 9 weeks, we found no significant difference between the high- and low catechin group with respect to changes in the serum adiponectin level: 0.35 µg/ml (95% CI: -1.03, 1.74). Also, no significant difference was observed between the high- and low catechin groups with respect to changes in any of the measured CVD risk factors. Conclusion: This RCT showed no significant difference between the high- and low catechin groups with respect to changes in the serum adiponectin level and any CVD risk factors.

PMID: 22144918 · DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v55i0.8326