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Effects of green tea use on the metabolic profile of postmenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • 2026-06
  • European journal of nutrition 65(4)
    • Isabella Heloísa Rodrigues Zago
    • Laura Colonetti
    • Eduarda Letícia Balbinot
    • Igor Specht Taschetto
    • Antonio José Grande
    • Maria Inês da Rosa
    • Tamy Colonetti

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 109
Population
postmenopausal women
Methods
Systematic review of RCTs evaluating effects of green tea compared with placebo; search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, LILACS, Web of Science; meta-analysis of seven RCTs
  • Rigorous Journal

Purpose

Among the main consequences of menopause are changes in body weight, lipid and metabolic profiles, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to analyze the effects of green tea consumption on the metabolic profile of postmenopausal women.

Methods

This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of green tea compared with placebo in postmenopausal women. The search was conducted in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, the Cochrane Library, LILACS via BVS, and Web of Science, using the terms "Tea," "Green tea extract," "Metabolic profile", "Menopause," and "Postmenopause" (MeSH descriptors and synonyms). The outcomes listed in the study protocol were: weight, body mass index (BMI), body composition, lipid profile, and blood glucose.

Results

Data were collected from seven RCTs that met the selection criteria. The meta-analysis showed that green tea reduced total cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women (mean difference 95% confidence interval to - 0.82; p = 0.03; I² = 0%; four studies; 1,109 participants; low-quality evidence). However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that green tea resulted in reductions in total cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized dosage, formulation, and duration are needed to confirm these findings and support the safe clinical use of green tea as an adjunctive strategy. High-dose concentrated extracts should be used with caution, and hepatic function monitoring may be warranted.

Research Insights

  • green tea→Improved Blood Lipid Profile

    However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • green tea→Improved Body Composition

    However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • green tea→Reduced Blood Cholesterol

    The meta-analysis showed that green tea reduced total cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women (mean difference [MD]: -7.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -13.24 to - 0.82; p = 0.03; I² = 0%; four studies; 1,109 participants; low-quality evidence).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • green tea→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels

    However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • green tea→Reduced Body Mass Index

    However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • green tea→Reduced Body Weight

    However, no statistically significant effects were observed for the other evaluated outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
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