The combined effect of green tea and α-glucosyl hesperidin in preventing obesity: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Green tea, a widely consumed beverage in Asia, contains green tea catechins effective against obesity, especially epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), but must be consumed in an impractically huge amount daily to elicit its biological effect. Meanwhile, citrus polyphenols have various physiological effects that could enhance EGCG functionality. Here we investigated the antiobesity effect of a combination of EGCG and α-glucosyl hesperidin, a citrus polyphenol, at doses that have not been previously reported to exert antiobesity effects by themselves in any clinical trial. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and parallel-group-designed clinical trial, 60 healthy Japanese males and females aged 30-75 years consumed green tea combined with α-glucosyl hesperidin (GT-gH), which contained 178 mg α-glucosyl hesperidin and 146 mg EGCG, for 12 weeks. Physical, hematological, blood biochemical, and urine examinations showed that GT-gH is safe to use. At week 12, GT-gH prevented weight gain and reduced body mass index (BMI) compared with the placebo. Especially in those aged < 50 years, triglyceride and body fat percentage decreased at week 6, visceral fat level and body fat percentage decreased at week 12; body weight, BMI, and blood LDL/HDL ratio also decreased. In conclusion, taking GT-gH prevents weight gain, and the antiobesity effect of GT-gH was more pronounced in people aged < 50 years.

Figure 1

Transition chart of the intervention participants.

Figure 2

Diachronic change in visceral fat area, body weight, BMI and fat in the placebo (n = 27) and GT-gH (n = 29) groups. (a) Body weight, (b) BMI and (d) fat were measured by a dual-frequency body composition analyzer, and the changes in their values were analyzed by an independent two-sample t-test. (c) The visceral fat area was measured by PET-CT and Fat Checker. For between-group comparisons, the values were analyzed using an independent two-sample t-test. *P < 0.05 (vs. placebo). For within-group comparisons, the values were analysed by a paired t-test. #P < 0.05 (vs. week 0). Grey bars represent GT-gH, and open bars represent placebo. Data are shown as means ± SE. BMI, body mass index; GT-gH, green tea with α-glucosyl hesperidin; PET-CT, positron emission tomography with computed tomography.

Figure 3

Subgroup analysis of the change amount of obesity-related parameters in subjects below 50 years old in the placebo (n = 10) or GT-gH (n = 13) groups. (a) Body weight, (b) BMI, and (c) fat were measured by a dual-frequency body composition analyzer. (d) Total abdominal fat area and (e) visceral fat area were measured by PET-CT and Fat Checker. (f) TG was measured by free-glycerol elimination method, (g) LDL/HDL ratio was measured by selective solubilization method and selective suppression method. (a–g) were analyzed by independent two-sample t-test. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 (vs. placebo). Gray bars represent GT-gH, and open bars represent placebo. Data are shown as means ± SE. GT-gH green tea with α-glucosyl hesperidin; LDL/HDL ratio ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein; TG triglyceride.