White Tea Reduce Fat - Scientific Study Show
by Julian
(Horsham)
An extract from white tea can reduce the number of new fat cells produced and break down the fat in existing ones, according to new research which could help in the battle against obesity.
A team of researchers from Beiersdorf AG, Germany, have studied the biological effects of an extract of the white tea, which is the least processed version of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, on cultured human fat cells (called adipocytes) and pre-adipocytes.
Results showed that it effectively blocks the generation of new fat cells and stimulates fat mobilization from mature fat cells.
Also after treating the pre-adipocytes with the tea extract, the authors found that fat incorporation during the genesis of new fat cells was reduced.
Marc Winnefeld, who led the team, said: "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.
"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".
Obesity is a widespread problem and in the UK alone about a quarter of the population is now obese, with almost 60 per cent of the population is predicted to be obese by 2050, according to a Which report.
The study, called "White Tea extract induces lipolytic activity and inhibits adipogenesis in human subcutaneous (pre)-adipocytes", is published in BioMed Central's journal Nutrition and Metabolism.
The authors noted that there is a large body of evidence indicating that certain plant extracts and their respective bioactive components might have direct effects on fat tissue .
ReferencesJörn Söhle, Anja Knott, Ursula Holtzmann, Ralf Siegner, Elke Grönniger, Andreas Schepky, Stefan Gallinat, Horst Wenck, Franz Stäb and Marc Winnefeld (2009). White Tea extract induces lipolytic activity and inhibits adipogenesis in human subcutaneous (pre)-adipocytes. Nutrition & Metabolism 2009, 6:20.
