Single dose of green tea extract decreases lipid digestion and absorption from a test meal in humans.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Green tea is known worldwide for its high content of polyphenolic compounds and multifactorial beneficial effects on human health. The role of green tea as an inhibitor of lipid hydrolysis is widely discussed. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of green tea extract on lipid digestion and absorption. METHODS The study comprised 32 healthy volunteers aged 23 to 30 years with normal exocrine pancreatic function. In all subjects (13)C-labelled mixed triglyceride breath test was performed twice with and without green tea extract ingestion. Cumulative percentage dose recovery was considered to reflect digestion and absorption of lipids. Values are expressed as medians and 1st-3rd quartile distribution. RESULTS In all subjects, cumulative percentage dose recovery values were normal in a placebo test (36.8% <30.1-43.3%>). These results were significantly higher (p=0.021) than those obtained in green tea extract test (28.8% <23.1-37.2%>). Results of six tests with GTE were abnormal. CONCLUSIONS Single dose of green tea extract taken with a test meal decreases lipid digestion and absorption in humans.