Effect of tea powder consumption on bone mineral density of postmenopausal-osteoporosis-model mice

Abstract

Vitamin K and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCg) are components of tea leaves, and both are effective in maintenance of bone health. Vitamin K is hydrophobic, so is not contained in water-extracts. However, consumption of tea powder enables intake of both substances. In this study, in order to investigate the effects of tea powder consumption on bone health in postmenopausal females, experimental feeds were provided to postmenopausal-osteoporosis-model mice for 4 weeks, after which bone tissue parameters were measured by micro-CT. The findings were that bone mineral density decrease was suppressed in the group provided feed containing 0.03% (w/w) tea powder, and it was thought that the main effect ingredient in tea powder was vitamin K1. These findings suggest that tea powder intake may be effective for suppressing bone mineral density decrease in postmenopausal females.