Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106140

Steva A. Komeh, MS, RD, LD, Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Jenkins Building, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21251, 410 728-0744, skomeh@hotmail.com

Abstract: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the USA, and hypercholesterolemia is a major cause of CVD. Scientific studies have demonstrated that consumption of black tea reduced plasma LDL-cholesterol by 10% but the mechanism of action is unclear. The purpose of the proposed research is to test the hypothesis that consumption of black tea lowers LDL-cholesterol by interfering with the absorption of dietary fats. A randomized, double blind, cross over, placebo controlled, chronic feeding study titled "Effect of Black tea Consumption on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins, Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Vasodialation and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Smokers" began at USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland in October, 2002 and ended November, 2003. Study participants received a controlled diet and were randomly assigned to consume seven servings of either black tea, placebo 1, or placebo 2 daily. Eleven of the nineteen participants in this study volunteered to participate in the "Cholesterol Absorption and Synthesis" protocol. Biological samples that were collected from these eleven participants will be analyzed using the methylene chloride method of fat extraction and high performance liquid chromatography and to generate data. That data will be statistically analyzed to determine if there is a significant difference between fat content of fecal samples that were collected from participants while receiving tea and while receiving either placebo 1 or placebo 2. Linear regression will be used to determine if plasma cholesterol levels decrease and fecal fat contents increase in participants while receiving black tea.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be informed about the role of black tea (Camellia sinensis) in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Participants will be able to recognize the implications for use of black tea, a non-invasive, efficacious, safe, inexpensive and widely available beverage, as a tool in the effort to reduce prevalence and incidence of CVD. Participants will be able to recommend adoption of lifestyle changes that include consumption of black tea in order to promote cardiovascular health.
• The objective of this presentation is to clearly present the findings of bench research regarding the mechanism of action of black tea.

Keywords: Herbal Medicine, Food and Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.