Cholesterol, High Cholesterol

Multiple trial outcomes, green tea, and hyperlipidemia:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trial evaluated the relationship between green tea catechins and serum lipid levels (including total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides), 20 trials, including a total of 1,415 subjects were included in the analysis. Green tea catechins in doses ranging from 145 to 3,000 mg/d taken for 3-24 weeks were found to reduce total cholesterol by 5.46 mg/dL and LDL cholesterol by 5.30 mg/dL, as compared to controls. No significant changes in HDL cholesterol or triglycerides were found. (111)

In a review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of green tea and its extract (catechin with antioxidant properties) on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, results of 14 randomized, controlled trials involving 1,136 subjects were analyzed and results showed that consumption of green tea was associated with significant reductions in total cholesterol concentration (by 7.20 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol concentration (by 2.19 mg/dL). No significant change in HDL cholesterol was found. These results suggest that consumption of green tea or green tea extract may exert beneficial effects on cholesterol levels. (112)