RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the consumption of green tea on components of MS in the elderly. DESIGN: Intervention study. SETTING: The sample was selected from the Geriatric Service of Hospital São Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. PARTICIPANTS: 45 elderly with MS were enrolled and allocated into two groups: green tea group (GTG, n= 24), who drank green tea and control group (CG, n= 21) without intervention. INTERVENTION: The GTG received sachets of 1.0 g of green tea, and should drink three cups per day for 60 days and the CG was instructed not to make changes in their lifestyle. MEASUREMENTS: The diagnostic criteria for MS used were the International Diabetes Federation. The lipidic and glycemic profile, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated before and after intervention. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant weight loss only in GTG [71.5±12.6 kg to 70.3±12.6 kg (p<0.001)]. A statistically significant decrease in BMI [-0.5±0.4 kg/m2 in GTG and -0.2±0.6 kg/m2 in CG (P=0.032)] and waist circumference [-2.2±2.0 cm in GTG and - 0.3±1.8 cm in CG (P=0.002)] were observed. The intake of green tea did not change the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: The consumption of green tea was effective in inducing weight loss, reducing BMI and waist circumference in the elderly with MS.
