Green Tea May Exert Satiety Effect

Previous studies have suggested that the consumption of green tea, rich in antioxidant compounds called catechins, may help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Julija Josic from Lund University (Sweden), and colleagues examined the post-meal effects of green tea on glucose levels, glycemic index, insulin levels and satiety in healthy individuals. While the overall sensation of satiety was boosted more after a meal accompanied by green tea, than after a reference meal accompanied by water, the researchers found no significant differences in serum insulin levels or insulin were reported between the green tea meal and the reference meal during a 120 minute post-meal observation period.   Interestingly, after the reference meal, the subjects reported finding it more pleasant to eat another mouthful of the same food than after the green tea meal, again confirming the increased feeling of satiety.  The team speculates that differences in taste perception between the green tea and reference meal drink may have been responsible for the satiety-promoting effects, and so contributed to a stronger satiety sensation after the green tea meal than after the reference meal. Writing that: “Green tea showed no glucose or insulin-lowering effect,” the researchers conclude that: “Increased satiety and fullness were reported by the participants after the consumption of green tea.”