Effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption on the components of metabolic syndrome in elderly.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of the consumption of green tea on components of MS in the elderly. DESIGN Intervention study. SETTING The sample was selected from the Geriatric Service of Hospital São Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. PARTICIPANTS 45 elderly with MS were enrolled and allocated into two groups: green tea group (GTG, n= 24), who drank green tea and control group (CG, n= 21) without intervention. INTERVENTION The GTG received sachets of 1.0 g of green tea, and should drink three cups per day for 60 days and the CG was instructed not to make changes in their lifestyle. MEASUREMENTS The diagnostic criteria for MS used were the International Diabetes Federation. The lipidic and glycemic profile, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated before and after intervention. RESULTS There was a statistically significant weight loss only in GTG [71.5±12.6 kg to 70.3±12.6 kg (p<0.001)]. A statistically significant decrease in BMI [-0.5±0.4 kg/m2 in GTG and -0.2±0.6 kg/m2 in CG (P=0.032)] and waist circumference [-2.2±2.0 cm in GTG and - 0.3±1.8 cm in CG (P=0.002)] were observed. The intake of green tea did not change the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION The consumption of green tea was effective in inducing weight loss, reducing BMI and waist circumference in the elderly with MS.