Effects of Black Tea Intake on Serum Lipids
Effects of Black Tea Intake on Serum Lipids
A diet-controlled clinical trial which attempts to provide estimates of the effect of black
 tea consumption on serum lipids under tightly controlled conditions, including a controlled
 diet. Mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals (total cholesterol levels between 4.9 and 6.7
 mmol/L, 190 and 260 mg/dl), non-smoking, chronic disease-free individuals were enrolled in a
 15-week, double blind, randomized crossover trial, during which they consumed a controlled
 low-flavonoid diet plus 5 cups of black tea or a tea-like placebo over two 4-week treatment
 periods.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  between 45-65 years old

 -  mildly hypercholesterolemic (total cholesterol levels between 4.9 and 6.7 mmol/L, 190
 and 260 mg/dl)

 -  high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) between 0.9 and 1.6 mmol/L (35 and 65
 mg/dl)

 -  triglyceride (TG) concentrations below 6.8 mmol/L (600 mg/dl)

 -  habitually consumed a typical American diet with low dietary flavonoid intake (<4
 one-half cup servings of fruits and vegetables/day) and low intake (<1 serving/day) of
 soy-rich foods, nuts, herbs, and spices (besides salt and pepper)

 -  aspartate aminotransferase (AST) between 0 and 55 mg/L

 -  creatinine between 70.7 and 150.3 mmol/L (0.8 and 1.7 mg/dl)

 -  glucose between 3.3 and 6.4 mmol/L (60 and 115 mg/dl)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  current smoker

 -  usage of high amounts of antioxidant vitamin supplements (>3 times the Recommended
 Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamins E, C, and selenium, or >10 mg/day of beta
 carotene)

 -  had been diagnosed with diabetes, coagulation disorders, chronic pulmonary disease,
 current active malignancy, renal disease requiring dialysis, malabsorption, or
 gastrointestinal disorders, or had a history of cardiovascular disease.

 -  antihypertensive, immunosuppressive, cholesterol lowering, or anticoagulant
 medications

 -  consuming >3 servings of alcohol daily

 -  Pre-menopausal (women)