Adding Green Tea Helps Mice Subtract Weight

How do scientists help an obese mouse lose weight? By limiting their fat intake? Apparently not. A study conducted by Penn State food scientists allowed mice to eat as much as they wanted of a high fat diet while adding in a compound contained in green tea. Although the appetites of the mice stayed the same, those given the compound, EGCG, were able to lose weight more quickly. The scientists concluded that this compound helped the mice to absorb the fat better and to use it more efficiently.

How does this study translate to humans? Joshua Lambert, one of the professors involved in the study, believes it is relevant to us since humans often wait until they are obese and experiencing problems to make changes in their food choices.