A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles revealed that Black Tea may help cut down excessive fats and promote Good Health by altering gut bacteria.
The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, showed that certain chemicals found in black tea stimulate bacterial growth in the gut and promote the formation of bacterial metabolites associated with energy metabolism in the liver.
Black tea goes beyond its antioxidant benefits
For the study, the researchers used mouse models. They divided the mice into four groups. Each group received a different kind of diet.
One group was given a low-fat, high-sugar diet, while the other three groups received a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Two of the high-fat, high-sugar groups also received either black tea or green tea extract.
The researchers measured the weight of the mice in each group after four weeks. The team also analyzed samples taken from the large intestine and the liver of the mice.
Samples from the large intestine were used to measure bacteria content, while the liver tissues were used to measure fat deposits.
Interestingly, the researchers observed that the weight of the mice in the groups receiving either of the tea extracts dipped to the same levels as those in low-fat, high-sugar group.
Furthermore, analysis of the samples’ large intestines and liver tissues showed that the groups receiving tea extracts have more bacteria associated with lean body mass and fewer number of bacteria linked to obesity.
These results suggest that black tea is as effective as green tea in promoting weight loss.
Black tea and green tea have different mechanism behind their weight loss properties
Despite being both effective in promoting weight loss, black tea and green tea have different effects on liver metabolism.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the two tea is the size of their polyphenols, a kind of micronutrients with antioxidant activity.
Polyphenols are found most abundantly in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, cocoa, dried spices and red wine. Aside from its prebiotic properties, polyphenols are associated with reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurogenerative disorders.
The polyphenols in green tea are small, making it easier to be absorbed into the body and reach the liver directly.
On the other hand, black tea’s polyphenols are larger and tend to stay in the intestine rather than be absorbed.
The presence of these polyphenols in the intestine enhances bacterial growth and promotes the formation of microbial metabolites, which leads to better regulation of energy metabolism, resulting in weight loss and good health.
