Tea Suppresses Weight Gain, Prevents Hyperglycemia, In High-Fat Diets

A Japanese study has found that mice fed black or green tea along with a high-fat diet were less likely to gain weight and were less at risk for type 2 diabetes. For the study, one group of mice was fed a high-fat (29 percent lard) diet and the second group a normal diet. Each group was then further divided into smaller groups that were given water, black tea or green tea for 14 weeks. Consumption of the tea suppressed deposits of white adipose (fat) tissue in the animals, improved hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, all precursors of type 2 diabetes. According to the researchers, the teas stimulated glucose uptake activities in the mice by “translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 to the plasma membrane in muscle.”