With the ever-growing number of fast food restaurants and the countless advertisements for the newest trend in dieting, society receives constant reminders concerning its latest epidemic – obesity. Each year, more individuals are diagnosed with obesity-associated disorders, such as diabetes and heart disease, and each year, as these disease statistics escalate, the solution for a cure appears farther out of reach than before. Although a cure for obesity has yet to be formulated, new research from a team of scientists in Germany may help to slim down our over-weight society.

After conducting a series of experiments on human fat cells, called adipocytes, researchers have discovered possible “anti-obesity effects” in extracts of white tea. This study, led by Marc Winnefeld, revealed that extracts from white tea have the ability to inhibit the formation of new fat cells while stimulating the movement of mature fat cells in the body.

White tea is prepared from the same plant used to make green tea and black tea, but instead of using the mature plant, only the buds and first leaves from the plant are used. Unlike green and black teas, white tea is less processed, so more active ingredients are present, such as methylxanthines (caffeine) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Scientists conducting this study believe that caffeine and EGCG are primarily responsible for the inhibition of fat cell growth.

To conduct the study, lab-cultured human pre-adipocytes were treated with white tea extract. Scientists discovered that less fat was incorporated into the new adipocytes as they formed. The white tea extract turns down gene expression associated with the growth of new fat cells and allows for existing adipocytes to break down contained fat.

Even though drinking more white tea may not be the cure for people battling serious weight problems, this work may bring us closer to reducing the occurrences of obesity throughout the world.

Discussion Question: What other measures might society take to prevent the spread of obesity? If caffeine is one of the components responsible for the inhibition of fat cell growth, do you think coffee would have the same effect?

Link to News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430194803.htm

Link to Science Paper Abstract: http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/imedia/9403036082333900_article.pdf?random=987200