Physiological effects of caffeine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and exercise in overweight and obese women

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010 Oct;35(5):607-16. doi: 10.1139/H10-056.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of a 10-week exercise program with ingestion of caffeine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and strength in overweight and obese women. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach, overweight and obese women (n = 27) were randomly assigned to treatment groups with exercise (an active-supplementing group with exercise (EX-Act) and a placebo group with exercise (EX-PL)) or without exercise (an active-supplementing group without exercise (NEX-Act) and a placebo group without exercise (NEX-PL)). All participants consumed 1 drink per day for 10 weeks; EX-Act and EX-PL participated in a concurrent endurance and resistance training program. Changes in body composition were assessed using a 4-compartment model. Changes in muscle mass (MM) were evaluated using a DXA-derived appendicular lean-soft tissue equation. There was a significant time × treatment interaction for MM (p = 0.026) and total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.047), and a significant time × training interaction for peak oxygen consumption (p = 0.046) and upper-body and lower-body strength (p < 0.05). Significant differences between the EX groups and NEX groups for percentage change in MM and peak oxygen consumption, and upper-body and lower-body strength, were revealed. Clinical markers for hepatic and renal function revealed no adverse effects. TC significantly decreased for the active-supplementing groups (EX-Act, NEX-Act). The current study suggests that implementing a caffeine-EGCG-containing drink prior to exercise may improve MM, fitness, and lipid profiles in overweight women.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • Caffeine / administration & dosage*
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / drug effects
  • Catechin / administration & dosage
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Lipids
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Caffeine
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate