Effect of Green Tea Extract on Copper Dynamics in Mouse Hair
January 2013
in “
Food science and technology research
”
TLDR Green tea extract may increase copper levels in mouse hair without affecting liver copper.
The study examined the impact of green tea extract on copper levels in mouse hair, finding that mice given green tea extract at 0.2 g/L and 2.0 g/L concentrations in their drinking water for 4 weeks had higher copper levels in their hair compared to a control group. This increase was both time- and dose-dependent, although the results showed large variance. The green tea extract did not affect copper levels in the liver, indicating it may only influence surplus copper in the body. The research suggests that green tea extract could help in the excretion of excess copper into the hair, hinting at the potential use of catechins in functional foods.
