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Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females.

  • 2018-09-01
  • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism 28(5)
    • Mark Elisabeth Theodorus Willems
    • Mehmet Akif Şahin
    • Matthew David Cook

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 13
Population
13 females (age: 27 ± 8 years, body mass: 65 ± 7 kg, height: 166 ± 6 cm)
Methods
Randomised, crossover design; participants consumed three drinks (each drink made with 1 g of Matcha premium grade) the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk at 5- or 6-MET
Duration
30-min walk; drinks consumed the day before and 2 hr before
Funding
Unclear
Intake of the catechin epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine has been shown to enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. Matcha green tea powder contains catechins and caffeine and is consumed as a drink. We examined the effect of Matcha green tea drinks on metabolic, physiological, and perceived intensity responses during brisk walking. A total of 13 females (age: 27 ± 8 years, body mass: 65 ± 7 kg, height: 166 ± 6 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Resting metabolic equivalent (1-MET) was measured using Douglas bags (1-MET: 3.4 ± 0.3 ml·kg-1·min-1). Participants completed an incremental walking protocol to establish the relationship between walking speed and oxygen uptake and individualize the walking speed at 5- or 6-MET. A randomized, crossover design was used with participants tested between Days 9 and 11 of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase). Participants consumed three drinks (each drink made with 1 g of Matcha premium grade; OMGTea Ltd., Brighton, UK) the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk at 5- (n = 10) or 6-MET (walking speed: 5.8 ± 0.4 km/hr) with responses measured at 8-10, 18-20, and 28-30 min. Matcha had no effect on physiological and perceived intensity responses. Matcha resulted in lower respiratory exchange ratio (control: 0.84 ± 0.04; Matcha: 0.82 ± 0.04; p < .01) and enhanced fat oxidation during a 30-min brisk walk (control: 0.31 ± 0.10; Matcha: 0.35 ± 0.11 g/min; p < .01). Matcha green tea drinking can enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation in females. However, when regular brisk walking with 30-min bouts is being undertaken as part of a weight loss program, the metabolic effects of Matcha should not be overstated.

Research Insights

  • matcha→Enhanced Fat Oxidation

    Matcha ... enhanced fat oxidation during a 30-min brisk walk (control: 0.31 ± 0.10; Matcha: 0.35 ± 0.11 g/min; p < .01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1 g per drink, 4 drinks total (three drinks the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk)
  • matcha→Improved Perceived Exertion

    Matcha had no effect on ... perceived intensity responses

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1 g per drink, 4 drinks total (three drinks the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk)
  • matcha→Improved Physiological Response

    Matcha had no effect on physiological ... responses

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1 g per drink, 4 drinks total (three drinks the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk)
  • matcha→Reduced Respiratory Exchange Ratio

    Matcha resulted in lower respiratory exchange ratio (control: 0.84 ± 0.04; Matcha: 0.82 ± 0.04; p < .01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1 g per drink, 4 drinks total (three drinks the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk)
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