Effect of Mauritius Grown Green Tea on Individuals at Risk for developing Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is arguably one of the fastest growing diseases in the developed world and treatment of its symptoms account for a rising and substantial proportion of total healthcare costs in the United States. Previous epidemiological studies have argued that the chemical components within green tea assist in mitigating the symptoms of diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular disorders. To assess the effect of green tea on individuals predisposed to Type II diabetes mellitus, a randomized controlled trial was conducted on a sample of pre-diabetic subjects in Mauritius. The study group consumed three standardized cups of green tea (2 grams diffused in 200 millilitres of water) daily for 14 weeks followed by a two-week wash-out period. The control group followed a similar regimen but received a placebo. Results showed that green tea consumption suppressed the significant (p<0.05) elevation of waist to hip ratio and blood glucose level in women compared to control subjects. Both men and women experienced no significant (p<0.05) change in arterial pressure, while control subjects displayed a significant (p<0.05) decrease after week 14. Women under green tea regimen showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction of 13.0 % in aminotransferase alanine (ALT) level after week 14, while control subjects did not experience any significant (p<0.05) reduction. It appears that green tea could assist with forming part of a healthy lifestyle and ameliorate some symptoms of metabolic syndrome and, subsequent, risk of Type II diabetes mellitus and/or the risk of CV Disease.