white tea

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It might be time for a tea party says Science Daily

White Tea: Solution To Obesity Epidemic?

ScienceDaily (May 7, 2009) — Possible anti-obesity effects of white tea have

been demonstrated in a series of experiments on human fat cells (adipocytes).

Researchers have now shown that an extract of the herbal brew effectively

inhibits the generation of new adipocytes and stimulates fat mobilization from

mature fat cells.

Marc Winnefeld led a team of researchers from Beiersdorf AG, Germany, who

studied the biological effects of an extract of white tea – the least processed

version of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. He said, " In the industrialized

countries, the rising incidence of obesity-associated disorders including

cardiovascular diseases and diabetes constitutes a growing problem. We've shown

that white tea may be an ideal natural source of slimming substances " .

After treating lab-cultured human pre-adipocytes with the tea extract, the

authors found that fat incorporation during the genesis of new adipocytes was

reduced. According to Winnefeld, " The extract solution induced a decrease in the

expression of genes associated with the growth of new fat cells, while also

prompting existing adipocytes to break down the fat they contain " .

White tea is made from the buds and first leaves of the plant used to make green

tea and the black tea most commonly drunk in Western countries. It is less

processed than the other teas and contains more of the ingredients thought to be

active on human cells, such as methylxanthines (like caffeine) and

epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – which the authors believe to be responsible

for many of the anti-adipogenic effects demonstrated in their study.

Journal reference:

Jörn Söhle, Anja Knott, Ursula Holtzmann, Ralf Siegner, Elke Grönniger, s

Schepky, Stefan Gallinat, Horst Wenck, Franz Stäb and Marc Winnefeld. White Tea

extract induces lipolytic activity and inhibits adipogenesis in human

subcutaneous (pre)-adipocytes. Nutrition & Metabolism, (in press)

Adapted from materials provided by Nutrition and Metabolism, via EurekAlert!, a

service of AAAS.