Abstract

Background: Green and black teas have known anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study was a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of 3 doses of a water-extracted green and black tea agent (AssuriTEA® [AT]). Methods: Subjects who met inclusion criteria were randomized to one of four groups: 1000, 500, or 250 mg AT or placebo for 28 days. At baseline (BL) and day 28, serum antioxidant capacity, quality of life and safety were assessed. Results: Of the 55 subjects screened, 43 were considered evaluable. Age was 56.77 ± 2.83 years (mean ± SEM). Evaluable subjects demonstrated improved antioxidant status, as measured by ferric iron reducing antioxidant power at all doses over the placebo (p < 0.05). There was significant improvement in cellular antioxidant protection in the 1000 mg AT group versus the placebo (p=0.032). Glucose levels were higher in the placebo group versus the 250 mg AT group (p=0.023) and there was a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure in the 250 mg AT group at day 28 versus BL (p=0.048). In the 1000 mg AT group, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure at day 28 versus BL (p=0.017). There was a significant improvement in the vitality category in the 1000 mg AT group (p=0.029). Overall, AT was safe and well tolerated with no differences in adverse events or serum chemistries between groups. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that the administration of AT resulted in improvement of serum antioxidant status, vitality level, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure in test subjects.

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