Study Title: (−)-Epicatechin-Enriched Extract from Camellia sinensis Improves Regulation of Muscle Mass and Function: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Citation: Seo et al., 2021 · Antioxidants
What the Study Found: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested tannase-treated green tea extract in healthy Korean adults aged 60 or older. The extract contained higher levels of (−)-epicatechin and gallic acid after enzymatic treatment. Participants took 600 mg/day for 12 weeks. Compared with placebo, the treatment group showed improved lower-extremity flexor strength, suppression of grip-strength decline, and changes in blood myostatin, a regulator associated with muscle mass. The study did not include an added exercise program, so the findings relate to supplementation alone within this trial design.
What this means in real life: This study supports the idea that certain plant compounds, including (−)-epicatechin-rich green tea extract, may influence pathways related to muscle strength and age-related muscle maintenance. For older adults, that matters because strength, grip, and muscle preservation are closely tied to mobility and independence. The findings are promising, but they should be understood as one human study using a specific tannase-treated green tea extract, not proof that all green tea products or all epicatechin supplements produce the same result.
Clinical Relevance: Human randomized controlled trial, older adults, muscle strength and myostatin regulation, early clinical evidence.
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