Green tea improves intestinal health and lowers blood sugar

One study suggests that it is possible to minimize
the risk of metabolic syndrome.

According to the researchers, the study examines for the first time whether green tea's anti-inflammatory properties may be protective against the health risks associated with metabolic syndrome, a disease that affects more than 3 million Americans
each year.

Richard Bruno, senior study author and professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, said: "There is a lot of evidence that drinking green tea in large amounts is associated with good cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride levels, but no studies have linked its benefits to the gut to these health factors
.

The clinical trial, which included 40 people, is a follow-up to a 2019 study that showed that in mice taking green tea supplements, improvements in gut health were associated
with a reduction in obesity and a reduction in health risks.

Unexpectedly, the new study found that green tea extract also reduces intestinal inflammation and permeability, as well as blood sugar or glucose
in healthy people.

"This tells us that within a month, we can lower blood sugar in people with metabolic syndrome and healthy people, and the decrease in blood sugar seems to be related to reducing leaky gut and reducing inflammation of the intestine – regardless of health status
," Bruno said.

Articles on glucose results and reducing intestinal permeability and inflammation were recently published in the journal Latest Advances
in Nutrition.

At least three of the five risk factors that trigger heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems are present in people with metabolic syndrome — excess belly fat, high blood pressure, low HDL (beneficial) cholesterol, high levels of fasting blood sugar, and triglycerides (a type of blood lipid).

Bruno says the tricky thing about these risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome is that they usually have only minor changes and don't require medication management yet, but still pose a significant risk
to health.

"Most doctors will initially recommend weight loss and exercise
.

40 participants — 21 with metabolic syndrome and 19 healthy adults — consumed gummies
containing green tea extract rich in the anti-inflammatory ingredient catechins for 28 consecutive days.

The researchers confirmed that during the placebo and green tea extract dessert stages of the study, participants followed a low-polyphenol diet as recommended — naturally occurring antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, teas, and spices, so any results could be attributed to the effects
of green tea alone.

The results showed that fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower
after taking green tea extract in all participants compared to blood glucose levels after taking a placebo.

Intestinal permeability, or intestinal leakage, allows intestinal bacteria and related toxic compounds to enter the bloodstream, stimulating low-grade chronic inflammation
.

Bruno said: "The absorption of visceral products is considered a starting factor for obesity and insulin resistance, which is the key
to all cardiometabolic disorders.

"We're not trying to cure metabolic syndrome with a month-long study," he said
.
"But based on what we know about the causes of metabolic syndrome, it is possible for green tea to play at least a partial role at the gut level, reducing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, or reversing the risk of
people who already have metabolic syndrome.
"

Bruno's lab is completing further analysis
of the microbial community in the gut of the study participants and the levels of bacteria-associated toxins in the blood.

References:

“Catechin-Rich Green Tea Extract Reduced Intestinal Inflammation and Fasting Glucose in Metabolic Syndrome and Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial” by Joanna Hodges, Min Zeng, Sisi Cao, Avinash Pokala, Shahabbedin Rezaei, Geoffrey Sasaki, Yael Vodovotz and Richard Bruno, 14 June 2022, Current Developments in Nutrition.

DOI: 10.
1093/cdn/nzac068.
010

“A Green Tea Extract-Rich Confection in Healthy and Metabolic Syndrome Adults Decreases Small Intestinal Permeability in Association With Lower Gut Inflammation” by Min Zeng, Joanna Hodges, Geoffrey Sasaki, Sisi Cao, Yael Vodovotz and Richard Bruno, 14 June 2022, Current Developments in Nutrition.

DOI: 10.
1093/cdn/nzac053.
084