The quest for natural and effective weight management solutions has led to the exploration of various plant-based supplements. Among these, purple tea, a unique variety of Camellia sinensis, has garnered attention for its potential health benefits, particularly in promoting weight loss. This article delves into the science behind purple tea, exploring its composition, mechanisms of action, and the evidence supporting its use for weight management.
What is Purple Tea?
Purple tea is a variety of Camellia sinensis developed by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK) and cultivated in Kenya at high elevations, typically between 4,500 and 7,500 feet above sea level. This variety stands out due to its leaves' distinctive purple color, a result of high concentrations of anthocyanins. These anthocyanins, also found in blueberries and purple grapes, are potent antioxidants that contribute to the tea's potential health benefits. Purple tea leaves are processed similarly to green tea, preserving their beneficial compounds.
Unique Composition of Purple Tea
Purple tea distinguishes itself from other tea varieties through its unique phytochemical profile. In addition to the polyphenolic compounds commonly found in green tea, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), purple tea also contains anthocyanidins (malvidin, peralgonodin, and cyanidin 3-O-galactoside) and 1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucose (GHG), a hydrolysable tannin. Furthermore, purple tea generally has a relatively lower caffeine content compared to green and black tea. The major constituents in the leaves of purple tea are caffeine, theobromine, epigallocatechin (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucose (GHG).
Mechanisms of Action: How Purple Tea May Aid Weight Loss
Research suggests that purple tea may promote weight loss through several mechanisms:
- Inhibition of Fat Absorption: Studies in mice have shown that purple tea extract (PTE) and caffeine can suppress fat absorption. This effect may be attributed to caffeine's ability to delay gastric emptying and the presence of other compounds in PTE that interfere with lipid digestion.
- Enhanced Fat Oxidation: Purple tea has been found to enhance the protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) 1A, a crucial enzyme in fat oxidation. This suggests that purple tea may stimulate the breakdown of fat for energy.
- Suppression of Fat Accumulation: Animal studies indicate that PTE administration can significantly suppress body weight gain, liver weight, abdominal fat, and triglycerides in serum and liver. This suggests that purple tea may help prevent the accumulation of fat in the body.
- Regulation of Fat Cell Formation: A test-tube study suggested that butterfly pea flower extract, rich in ternatins, may slow the formation of fat cells by regulating certain pathways involved in cell progression. Some test-tube and animal studies have also found that ternatins may block the synthesis of fat cells in your body, potentially contributing to obesity and overweight management.
- Unique Polyphenol GHG: Purple tea contains a unique type of polyphenol called GHG; which has an enzyme that promotes the breaking down of fat making it easy for the body to digest.
Scientific Evidence: Studies on Purple Tea and Weight Loss
Several studies have investigated the effects of purple tea on weight loss and related parameters:
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- Animal Studies: In mice, PTE administration (200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed body weight gain, liver weight, abdominal fat, and triglycerides in serum and liver. Protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) 1A was also enhanced. In olive oil-loaded mice, PTE (100 mg/kg) and caffeine (25 mg/kg) suppressed fat absorption. PTE (10 μg/mL) and GHG (10 μg/mL) also enhanced protein expression of CPT1A in HepG2 hepatoma.
- Human Studies: A four-week daily consumption of purple tea drink in humans improved obesity parameters compared to baseline, including body weight (79.9 ± 3.1 kg vs 80.8 ± 3.2, p<0.05), body mass index (BMI) (26.8 ± 0.6 vs 27.0 ± 0.6, p<0.05), and body fat mass (21.0 ± 1.4 kg vs 21.8 ± 1.5, p<0.01). Another study involving 10 men who consumed dried Purple Tea leaves, over the four weeks, the men lost roughly 1.76 lbs.
- Further Evidence: After a four-week ingestion of purple tea, BMI, bodyweight, body fat mass, abdominal fat, body fat ratio, waist size, hip size, and abdominal and right upper arm fat thickness were significantly reduced compared to the values before ingestion. Muscle ratio significantly increased after the ingestion of purple tea.
Additional Health Benefits of Purple Tea
Beyond its potential weight loss benefits, purple tea offers a range of other health advantages:
- Antioxidant Properties: The high concentration of anthocyanins and other polyphenols in purple tea provides potent antioxidant activity, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. Research shows it has a free-radical scavenging rate of 52%, compared with 34% for green tea and 28% for black tea.
- Anti-Cancer Benefits: Anthocyanins have been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Anthocyanins have anti-ageing properties.
- Blood Sugar Metabolism: Polyphenols help with weight loss and blood sugar metabolism.
- Cardiovascular Health: Anthocyanin is known to be beneficial against cardiovascular diseases.
- Brain Health: Kenyan purple tea significantly improves the brain's antioxidant capacity. Purple tea anthocyanins can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), bolstering the brain ability to combat free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Diabetes Management: Traditional applications include diabetes management, blood glucose regulation, and improved cardiovascular health, while scientific studies have pointed out potential anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and cholesterol-lowering aspects.
- Hair and Skin Health: Research suggests that butterfly pea extract may help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. According to a 2021 study, butterfly pea extract may increase your skin hydration by 70% 1 hour after topical application. A 2024 study found that applying a 20% Clitoria ternatea shampoo helped reduce dandruff severity with minimal side effects. This may be due to the butterfly pea flower’s effects on sebum management.
How to Incorporate Purple Tea into Your Diet
Purple tea can be easily incorporated into your daily routine:
- Brewing: Purple tea is brewed similarly to green tea. Pour freshly boiled water over loose tea leaves and steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Dosage: Dried purple tea leaves (1.5 g/portion) can be steeped in hot water (100-200 mL) twice a day.
- Versatility: Purple tea lends itself to blending and can be combined with other teas to enhance its benefits.
Safety and Considerations
Purple tea is generally considered safe when consumed in moderation. No adverse effects were observed during the test period in human studies. However, it is essential to consider the following:
- Caffeine Content: While lower than black tea, purple tea does contain caffeine. Individuals sensitive to caffeine should monitor their intake.
- Interactions: If you have an underlying health condition, are taking any medications, are pregnant, or are nursing, it’s best to speak with a doctor before using butterfly pea flower or other herbal products.
- Quality: It is important to purchase only quality purple tea, as some vendors may offer inferior products with additives.
Purple Tea vs. Other Teas
Purple tea differs from other tea varieties in its composition and potential health benefits:
- Green Tea: While both purple and green tea share similar processing methods and contain catechins, purple tea boasts higher levels of anthocyanins and the unique compound GHG.
- Black Tea: Black tea undergoes full oxidation, resulting in a darker color and stronger flavor. It generally contains more caffeine than purple tea and lacks the high concentrations of anthocyanins and GHG found in purple tea.
- Oolong Tea: Oolong tea falls between green and black tea in terms of oxidation. Its antioxidant activity is generally comparable to that of green or black tea, but it lacks the unique composition of purple tea.
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