The Effect of Green and Oolong Tea Extracts Supplementation on Body Composition in Wrestlers

Abstract

We examined the effect of both Green and Oolong Tea Extracts (GTE, OTE) with different Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Caffeine (C) levels on body weight and composition in Wrestlers (W). A randomized, controlled trial was conducted. 30 male wrestlers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments group: GTE, OTE, or Placebo (P). Athletes daily ingested 509.9 mg EGCG, 36.9 mg C and 172.0 mg EGCG, 138.2 mg C from GTE and OTE, respectively. After 6 weeks supplementation period the athletes lost mean 0.6±0.1 kg (0.8%); p<0.05 and 1.4±0.3 kg (1.6%); p<0.01 their body weight in GTE and OTE group respectively. Body weight loss in both GTE and OTE group was primarily due to absolute fat loss, but only in the OTE group this result was significant (GTE: 1.3±0.6 kg, 8.6%; OTE: 1.9±0.3 kg, 8.0%; p<0.05). No significant differences in mean energy balance values were observed after supplementation period in groups ingested GTE, OTE or P. We conclude that for wrestlers during the training period, for healthy body weight reduction, accompanied with fat mass loss, it seems reasonable to recommend supplementation of 2.4 g/day of OTE where EGCG content is similar to C.