A single dose of tea with or without milk increases plasma antioxidant activity in humans.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of black and green tea consumption, with and without milk, on the plasma antioxidant activity in humans. DESIGN: In a complete cross-over design, 21 healthy volunteers (10 male, 11 female) received a single dose of black tea, green tea (2 g tea solids in 300 ml water) or water with or without milk. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at several time points up to 2 h post-tea drinking. Plasma was analysed for total catechins and antioxidant activity, using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. RESULTS: Consumption of black tea resulted in a significant increase in plasma antioxidant activity reaching maximal levels at about 60 min. A larger increase was observed after consumption of green tea. As anticipated from the higher catechin concentration in green tea, the rise in plasma total catechins was significantly higher after consumption of green tea when compared to black tea. Addition of milk to black or green tea did not affect the observed increases in plasma antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a single dose of black or green tea induces a significant rise in plasma antioxidant activity in vivo. Addition of milk to tea does not abolish this increase. Whether the observed increases in plasma antioxidant activity after a single dose of tea prevent in vivo oxidative damage remains to be established. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 87-92

Author information

Author/s: Leenen, R (R); Roodenburg, A J (AJ); Tijburg, L B (LB); Wiseman, S A (SA);

Affiliation: Unilever Nutrition Centre, Unilever Research Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: European journal of clinical nutrition (Eur J Clin Nutr), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2000-Jan; vol 54 (issue 1) : pp 87-92

Dates: Created 2000/03/21; Completed 2000/03/21; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 10694777, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.