Effect of green tea extract on lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is common in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which raises the risk of heart disease. Researchers have looked into whether green tea extract (GTE), which is high in catechins (especially EGCG), can lower cholesterol levels, but the results are not consistent.

Objective: To carefully look over randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses that looked at how GTE affects the lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) in people with T2DM.

Methods: Up until August 2019, databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. We only included RCTs that looked at GTE supplementation in adults with T2DM and measured lipid outcomes. When there was enough data, meta-analyses were done.

Results: A meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed that GTE significantly lowered triglyceride levels. Interventions that lasted longer than eight weeks and doses greater than 800 mg/day lowered total cholesterol levels even more, according to PubMed Pingming Health. Other studies have shown that GTE lowers LDL and total cholesterol levels and raises HDL levels with longer treatments (PMC Wikipedia). One RCT found that HDL levels went up and triglycerides and insulin resistance went down after 16 weeks of GTE PMC. Another trial with T2DM nephropathy patients found that drinking three cups of green tea a day (7.5 g) for 12 weeks lowered total cholesterol and raised HDL PMC.

Conclusion: There is evidence that adding GTE to the diet may improve lipid profiles in people with T2DM, especially triglycerides and total cholesterol. There may also be benefits for LDL and HDL over longer periods of time. However, the small number of trials and the fact that they are all different mean that more high-quality research is needed.