A novel green tea meal replacement formula for weight loss among obese individuals: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of a green tea meal replacement formula product for the treatment of obesity. Design A 12-week clinical trial was performed, in which 120 (25 male, 95 female) healthy, overweight and obese persons were included (each of them occupy one-third of the whole population). The green tea formula was provided in the treatment group and normal diet was provided as control. Results More weight loss was found in the treatment group than the control (6.8 versus 2.3 kg; P<0.001). Also, the treatment group had a greater changes in total cholesterol (185.2 versus 215.2 mg/dl; P = 0.011) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (106.7 versus 127.6 mg/dl; P<0.005). Among completers only, the treatment group again lost more weight (6.8 kg; n = 54 versus 0.8 kg; n = 56; P = 0.001) and had a greater reduced total body fat mass (7.6%; n = 37 versus 0.5%; P = 0.005). Conclusions This green tea meal replacement formula contributes to the lower body weight and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.