Green Tea Extract Maintains Healthy Cardiovascular Function

Green tea extract was recently shown to support cardiovascular health by improving several factors associated with cardiovascular function. Green tea extract has previously been shown to balance healthy cholesterol levels and reduce body fat, which are both related to optimal cardiovascular function.

In this new study, researchers assessed the impact of green tea extract on cardiovascular health indicators in rats. The rats were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 1.1 percent or 2 percent green tea extract or a high-fat diet alone for 8 weeks. The rats were evaluated for cardiovascular indicators, including body weight, visceral fat content (the fat surrounding the abdominal organs), blood lipid parameters that assess arterial health, and protein availability.

The results of the study showed that both dosages of green tea extract favorably impacted parameters associated with blood lipids and arterial health in the rats by approximately 14.3 percent. The rats receiving the diet enriched with 2 percent green tea extract also showed a 5.6 percent decrease in body weight gain and a 17.8 percent decrease in abdominal fat accumulation. Both dosages of green tea extract resulted in a decrease in protein digestion compared to the control group.

The researchers concluded that green tea extract enhances indicators of cardiovascular health. However, higher dosages are required to reduce body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Reference:

Bajerska J, Wozniewicz M, Jeszka J, Drzymala-Czyz S, Walkowiak J. Green tea aqueous extract reduces visceral fat and decreases protein availability in rats fed with a high-fat diet. Nutr Res. 2011 Feb;31(2):157-64.