The article “cross sectional study of effects of drinking green tea on cardiovascular and liver diseases” is a 1995 publication by K Imai and K Nakachi in the British Medical Journal volume 310, number 6981 from page 693 to 696. Imai and Nakachi (1995) sought to find out the connection between consuming green tea and serum markers concentration with a special focus on whether green tea helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as liver disorders.
Imai and Nakachi (1995) investigated the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) after consumption of green tea. In addition, the researchers investigated the levels of serum hepatological markers such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase as well as ferritin upon consumption of green tea. To accomplish the purpose of this study, Imai and Nakachi (1995) selected 1,371 men in Yosimi, Japan with an age of more than 40 years.
This study was quasi-experimental. This is because the researchers made observations on the living habits of the participants as well as assaying blood samples collected from the subjects. Moreover, the study took a prospective approach to study a cohort, which is characteristic of quasi-experimental designs. Questionnaires were administered to collect data on participants’ lifestyles. To collect data on the concentration of different types of cholesterol, triglyceride and hepatological markers, the authors assayed (biochemical and immunological) blood samples from the subjects.
This study identified that an increase in consumption of green tea (> 10 cups per day) led to decreased LDL and very-low-density lipoproteins, decreased triglyceride as well as a decrease in total serum cholesterol. There was also an increase in levels of HDL. High consumption of green tea led to a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase, ferritin, and alanine transferase. The authors, therefore, concluded that consumption of green tea has the advantage of protecting against cardiovascular diseases and liver disorders.
References
Imai, K. and Nakachi, K. (1995). Cross sectional study of effects of drinking green tea on cardiovascular and liver diseases. British Medical Journal, 310: 693–696.