A beverage that reduces fat accumulation in the body has been named

An extract of Chinese compressed "Fu Brick" tea can reduce fat accumulation in mice on a high-fat diet. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The results of the study were published in the journal Food & Function (F&F).

The tea in question is known as fu zhuan — a variety of post-fermented tea from the heicha group. It is pressed into dense bricks and subjected to prolonged microbial fermentation. During this process, a unique microflora and bioactive compounds are formed, which, according to the researchers, affect metabolism.

In the experiment, mice were divided into three groups: the first followed a regular diet, and the second — a high-fat diet. The third group of rodents also consumed a large amount of fatty food, but with the addition of an aqueous tea extract. The animals that received the extract had lower fat deposits despite the high-calorie diet.

Additional analysis showed that the tea altered the composition of the gut microbiota and activated metabolic pathways associated with fat processing. In particular, there was increased expression of genes responsible for fatty acid oxidation — that is, their use as an energy source.

The authors emphasize that the study was conducted on animals, so clinical trials involving humans are necessary to confirm the effect. Nevertheless, the data obtained point to a possible role of traditional fermented tea in the regulation of lipid metabolism during excessive fat consumption.