The results of a study described online on October 5, 2012 in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research suggest that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a compound in green tea, could help reduce the spike in blood sugar that occurs following the consumption of starchy food. The finding could benefit humans with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that include elevated blood glucose levels, which are linked to an increased risk of diabetes.
A team led by Joshua D. Lambert of Pennsylvania State University fed fasting mice corn starch, maltose, sucrose or glucose and pretreated some of them with EGCG. Mice that received corn starch and EGCG had a 50 percent reduction in post meal blood glucose levels in comparison with animals that did not receive EGCG. EGCG did not impact animals that received maltose, sucrose or glucose, suggesting that the compound may affect the way the body converts starch into sugar. In further experimentation, EGCG reduced the activity of alpha amylase, a starch-digesting enzyme secreted by the pancreas, by 34 percent.
"The spike in blood glucose level is about 50 percent lower than the increase in the blood glucose level of mice that were not fed EGCG," stated Dr Lambert, who is assistant professor of food science in agricultural sciences at Penn State. "If what you are eating with your tea has starch in it then you might see that beneficial effect. So, for example, if you have green tea with your bagel for breakfast, it may reduce the spike in blood glucose levels that you would normally get from that food."
Since EGCG doesn't appear to reduce the effect of sugars, consuming sweetened green tea with a starchy food would still result in blood sugar spikes. "That may mean that if you add sugar into your green tea, that might negate the effect that the green tea will have on limiting the rise in blood glucose level," Dr Lambert explained.
The dose of EGCG used in the current study was equivalent to the human dose of that found in a cup and a half of green tea. "The relatively low effective dose of EGCG makes a compelling case for studies in human subjects," the authors conclude.
This e-issue of Life Extension Magazine® is extraordinarily easy to use, easy to navigate … with the same flip-the-page feeling you get from your printed copy, plus a few extra advantages. You can choose to search out a topic or keyword. Skim quickly. Skip ahead. Even order products. Now all that convenience is right at your fingertips.
As we see it: Former FDA Commissioner admits risk of bureaucratic delay, by William Faloon
An increasing number of scholarly individuals recognize that delaying lifesaving therapies can no longer be tolerated, including former FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach.
Age-related metabolic decline and weight gain, by Michael Downey
In placebo-controlled studies, scientists have verified that 7-Keto DHEA restores resting metabolic rate and safely induces fat loss.
Slash chronic disease risk with lycopene, by Alex Wilson
Health conscious people increasingly understand that cooked tomato products or supplements are the only way to ensure protective lycopene blood levels.
Reversing male infertility, by Silas Hoffman
Researchers have identified nutrients that safely improve sperm count, quality, and motility–improving the odds of pregnancy without drugs, expensive IVF treatments, or invasive procedures.
The PSA controversy, part I, by Stephen B. Strum, MD, FACP
Here, Dr Stephen B. Strum discusses the critical role PSA testing plays in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.
The PSA controversy, part II, by Stephen B. Strum, MD, FACP
This real-world case history shows how PSA screening can be used as a tool to diagnose and treat prostate cancer without resorting to the inappropriate use of side effect-laden therapies.