Reduction of body fat and improved lipid profile associated with daily consumption of a Puer tea extract in a hyperlipidemic population: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Figures & data

Figure 1 Consort flowchart.

Note: Chart shows screening and randomization, as well as the number of people completing each 4-week phase of the 20-week study on Puer tea extract.

Table 1 Characteristics of study population

	Placebo	Puer tea extract	P-value*
Females	19	20
Average age, years	55±10	57±9	0.589
Age range, years	38.1−70.1	38.7−72.3
BMI average	30.7±4.5	29.3±3.2	0.257
BMI range	25.2−40	25.1−35.2
Height average, cm	163±6	163±5	0.990
Height range, cm	147.3−171.5	153.7−172.7
Weight average, kg	82±15	78±10	0.339
Weight range, kg	59.1−114.1	65.9−98.2
Males	10	10
Average age, years	55±11	52±8	0.616
Age range, years	42−73.4	39.2−65.9
BMI average	29±3	31±4	0.269
BMI range	25.8−36.7	26.4−39.5
Height average, cm	177±7	177±7	0.935
Height range, cm	169.5−190.5	160−184.8
Weight average, kg	92±12	98±15	0.369
Weight range, kg	76.8−113.6	76.1−126.8

Notes:

* There were no statistically significant differences between age and physical measurements between the subjects randomized to placebo versus Puer tea for either female or male subject group. Data presented as n or mean ± standard deviation.

Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Figure 2 Body mass index (BMI).

Notes: Shown as the group averages ± standard error of mean for the Puer tea extract (PTE) group (solid lines) and the placebo group (dashed lines). There was a significant difference in BMI between the two groups at week 20. The BMI reduction within the PTE group over the course of the 20-week study was highly significant. *P<0.05, ^##P<0.01.

Figure 3 Changes in total body fat and regional fat composition.

Notes: Shown as the group averages of the individual percentage changes ± standard error of mean for the Puer tea extract (PTE) group (solid lines) and the placebo group (dashed lines). There were no significant differences between the two groups at week 20; however, the between-group difference in fat loss in the arms showed a statistical trend. Within the group consuming PTE, a significant loss of total body fat was seen. The total fat loss was associated with regional fat loss in the trunk, arms, thighs, and gynoid (belly/hip) regions. The fat loss in the gynoid region within the PTE group was statistically significant. *P<0.1, ^#P<0.05.

Figure 4 Lipid data are shown as group averages ± standard error of mean for the Puer tea extract (PTE) group (solid lines) and the placebo group (dashed lines).

Notes: There were no significant differences between the PTE and placebo results for cholesterol (A), HDL (B), or LDL (C). Within the PTE group, a significant reduction in cholesterol levels was seen already at week 4, and remained statistically significantly lower than baseline throughout the study. Triglyceride levels showed a reduction in the PTE group that was not statistically significant, but was clinically important (D): the group average in the PTE group went down into the normal range (below 150 mg/dL) after 8 weeks, and remained low throughout the remainder of the study. After 20 weeks, there was a 20% reduction in the average triglyceride levels within the PTE group (P<0.08).
Abbreviations: HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.

Table 2 Systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the study

	Placebo		Puer tea extract		P-value
	Systolic	Diastolic	Systolic	Diastolic	Systolic	Diastolic
Females
Baseline	129±4.7	82±2.3	120±2.8	75±1.9	0.110	0.018
4 weeks	130±5.2	80±2.0	119±2.8	75±1.9	0.080	0.055
8 weeks	123±3.8	80±1.6	118±3.0	76±1.8	0.291	0.086
12 weeks	128±3.3	82±2.3	123±3.2	76±1.9	0.245	0.027
16 weeks	129±5.0	82±2.7	122±5.1	74±2.2	0.330	0.028
20 weeks	125±4.2	81±2.1	121±3.7	76±1.9	0.404	0.072
Males
Baseline	134±4.9	84±2.0	128±4.2	82±1.5	0.334	0.308
4 weeks	137±6.0	85±2.1	131±6.9	81±2.7	0.472	0.304
8 weeks	143±8.1	83±3.9	135±7.9	84±3.0	0.506	0.842
12 weeks	138±9.0	86±2.8	132±5.9	82±2.0	0.598	0.280
16 weeks	132±7.2	85±2.3	134±8.8	83±2.1	0.880	0.544
20 weeks	134±6.2	87±3.2	125±3.3	81±1.2	0.212	0.121

Notes: Data presented as mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise stated.

Figure 5 Fasting blood glucose levels.

Notes: Shown as group averages ± standard error of mean for the Puer tea extract (PTE) group (solid lines) and the placebo group (dashed lines). There were no significant differences between the PTE and placebo results during the study; however, the fasting blood glucose levels remained lower in the PTE group than the placebo group from week 8 throughout the remainder of the 20-week study.