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Tea Boosts Insulin Activity

Studies carried out at the USDA Beltsville Human Nutritional Research
Centre in Maryland tested various tea extracts on fat cells taken from rats to
see if they had a favorable effect on insulin. The fat cells were grown in a
lab and fed tea extracts, insulin and radioactive sugar. The chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) most enhanced insulin. When green tea is
oxidized into oolong and black tea, EGCG forms polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. Black, green and oolong teas improved insulin activity
the most. Adding milk diminished the teas positive effect on the insulin. The
increase that occurs could shed some light on why tea is said to help avoid heart disease and high blood pressure. Medindia.net says the study found that insulin activity increased more than 15 times. Details of the study are featured
in the book “The Sugar Solution” by Sari Harrar, Julia Vantine, and Prevention magazine editors.

Teazine Issue # 29th - October 2006