Objective　“KURO-Oolong tea OTPP”is a FOSHU（Food for specified health uses）tea, which inhibits fat absorption, and suppress postprandial triglyceride level. To elucidate potential of “KURO-Oolong tea OTPP” to reduce risk for metabolic syndrome, we investigated effects of the long-term intake of “KURO-Oolong tea OTPP” on body fat mass.
Methods　We performed a randomized double-blind, placebo-contorolled trial. The subjects（166 men and 134 women）aged from 20 to 65 years old with 25.0≦body mass index（BMI）＜30.0 kg/m² were randomly divided into two groups； “KURO-Oolong tea OTPP”（OTPP 70 mg/350 mL）group, and placebo group. Each subject consumed one bottle with a meal twice a day for 16 weeks.
Results　Both total fat area（TFA）and visceral fat area（VFA）were significantly reduced in “KURO-Oolong tea OTPP” group compared with placebo group. In addition, body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio, waist size, hip size and skinfold thickness were significantly reduced in“KURO-Oolong tea OTPP”group. No adverse effects were obserbed in both groups.
Conclusions　The results of this study indicated that the intake of “KURO-Oolong tea OTPP” with a meal could be effective for prevention or amelioration of metabolic syndrome.