Effects of a Green Tea Intervention on Anthropometrics, Intake, and Glucose Levels in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Breast cancer recurrence is known to increase among overweight women. Green tea has been shown to modulate obesity and glucose levels in overweight subjects. Using a randomized, placebo‐controlled study design (N=39), we tested the hypothesis that overweight breast cancer survivors who consume 4 cups of green tea daily for 6 months would demonstrate a significant reduction in dietary intake, body weight, body fat, and serum glucose as compared to women consuming placebo tea. Outcome measures included weight, BMI, body fat, waist and hip circumference, dietary intake (Food Frequency Questionnaire) and serum glucose. Women randomized to green tea demonstrated a significant decrease in mean energy intake (−262±492 cal/d) which was related to a decrease in carbohydrate intake (−42.7 ± 87.8). A non‐significant mean decrease in body weight (−1.2±4.1kg), BMI (−0.5±1.5kg/m2), % body fat (−0.6±2.9), and waist to hip ratio was also shown in this group. No significant change in glucose levels was shown over time or in relation to tea assignment. These results suggest that daily intake of 4 cups green tea did not significantly change anthropometrics or glucose in overweight breast cancer survivors, although these markers did move in a favorable direction. Future studies should include higher EGCG exposure and a larger sample size of breast cancer survivors who demonstrate insulin resistance at the time of study entry.This research was funded by: The Susan Komen Foundation and USDA hatch 126660