Tea polyphenols increase thermogenesis

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Tuesday, December 02, 2003 4:20 am Email this article
AN IN VITRO STUDY using brown adipose tissue from a rat found that a preparation of dried tea leaves increased thermogenesis when used alone and more strongly when combined with ephedrine.

Used alone the tea leave preparation increased thermogenesis 20 to 500% in a dose-dependent fashion.

Equal concentrations of caffeine had no effect. Combining ephedrine and a moderate concentration of tea leave extract also increased thermogenesis 400 to 500%.

An equal concentration of ephedrine and caffeine increased thermogenesis 200%.

The tea leaves contain both polyphenols (principally catechins) and caffeine.

REFERENCE

Dulloo AG, Seydoux J, Girardier L. Tealine and thermogenesis: Interactions between polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity. International Journal of Obesity, May 1996, 20(Supplement 4):71 (abstract 08-178-WA1).

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