DIETARY DIFFERENCES WITH GREEN TEA INTAKE AMONG MIDDLE-AGED JAPANESE MEN AND WOMEN

Background. Although several epidemiologic investigations have suggest ed a protective role of green tea against cardiovascular diseases and cancer, few studies examined how consumption of green tea was associat ed with intake of other dietary factors. Methods. In the winters of 19 89-1991, 880 men ages 40-49 years were randomly sampled from the gener al populations of five Public Health Center districts of Japan. Respon se rate was 72% (n = 634). A convenience sample of 373 spouses also co nsented to participate. They were interviewed on the frequency of cons umption of green tea and 37 food items. A 3-day weighed food record wa s collected from a subgroup of the subjects (207 men and 164 women) to calculate daily intake of 22 nutrient variables. Consumption of the f oods and nutrients was compared with three levels of green tea intake (<1, 1-4, and >4 cups/days) after adjustment for potential confounders . Results. Among men, green tea was associated significantly with cons umption of 10 foods (P < 0.05) and at borderline significance with 4 n utrients (P < 0.1). These foods and nutrients included fruits (apple, orange juice), vegetables (green, yellow, and pickled), total lipid, c holesterol, and carotene. Among women, green tea was associated with 6 foods and total energy. Conclusion. The results indicate that consump tion of green tea is associated with diets that could modify the risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, especially among men. When the health effects of green tea are examined by observational epidemiolog ic studies, potential confounding and effect modification by other die tary factors should be controlled thoroughly. (C) 1997 Academic Press.