The Effect of Green Tea Extract on Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index in Postmenopausal Iranian Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and the tenth leading cause of death in the world. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea on blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in postmenopausal women. Patients and Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. One hundred postmenopausal women were randomized to receive two capsules of green tea (Camellia sinensis, 400 mg), or placebo, per day for 1 month. Participants were asked maintain their normal diet and physical activity during the study period. Blood pressure was assessed at the beginning of the study, and 2 and 4 weeks after intervention, while weight, height, and BMI were measured at the beginning, and 4 weeks after intervention. Results: Comparison of blood pressure, weight, and BMI between control and intervention groups showed that there was no statistically significant differences between the two groups at baseline, and 2 and 4 weeks after intervention. In contrast, the control group had a significant increase in the diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks (P = 0.012). Additionally, BMI and weight were significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that treatment with green tea over a short duration had some effect on the blood pressure and BMI. Further research using longer durations of treatment are needed to explore the effect of green tea on blood pressure and BMI in postmenopausal women.