Green Tea Promotes Satiety and Fullness

by CP Staff

Green tea may promote satiety, or the feeling of fullness after eating, according to a recent study. Previous research suggests that green tea may also promote blood sugar balancing.

In this new study, 14 healthy subjects were supplemented with green tea or water with a meal and were evaluated for blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as reported satiety. The subjects received 300 ml of green tea or water with a breakfast meal consisting of white bread and sliced turkey. Blood was drawn at the time of the meal and again after 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes to evaluate blood sugar and insulin levels. In the crossover portion of the study, the subjects who initially received water received green tea and the subjects who initially received green tea received water with the meal.

The results of the study did not find a significant difference in plasma blood glucose or insulin between the groups receiving green tea or water, although blood glucose was higher after 120 minutes in the group receiving green tea. The study did find, however, that the subjects receiving green tea reported significantly higher satiety compared to the subjects receiving water with the meal. In particular, the green tea group reported reduced desire to eat their favorite food and stated that they found it less pleasant to eat another mouthful of the same food after drinking green tea compared to water.

The study authors stated, “Green tea showed no glucose or insulin-lowering effect. However, increased satiety and fullness were reported by the participants after the consumption of green tea.”

Reference:

Josic J, Tholen Olsson A, Wickenberg J, Lindstedt S, Hlebowicz J. Does green tea affect postprandial glucose, insulin and satiety in healthy subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J. 2010 Nov 30;9(1):63.