title: The effects of bathing in hot springs on the absorption of green tea catechin: a pilot study.
abstract: Japan is a major tea producing country, and green tea is known for its health benefits which are believed to be due to catechins. However, difficulties in maintaining an adequate amount of catechins in the blood have been reported. Another important health-promoting activity among the Japanese is bathing in hot springs. This pilot study examined whether the combined effects of green tea consumption and hot spring bathing improved absorption of green tea catechins. The study, with a comparative within-subject design involving two different intervention trials--green tea consumption with hot spring bathing and only green tea consumption--was conducted on 2 separate days. Plasma levels of catechin; (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) were analyzed from four volunteers. Plasma EGCG concentration was found to be higher for the combined trial of green tea consumption and hot spring bathing.
authors.affiliation: Onsen Medical Science Research Center, Japan Health and Research Institute, 1-29-4 Nihonbashi-Kakigaracyo, Cyuou-ku, Tokyo 103-0014, Japan; Daito Bunka University, 560 Iwadono, Higashimatsuyama, Saitama 355-8501, Japan. Electronic address: hayasakashi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayasaka
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maeda-Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001494:Baths; D001682:Biological Availability; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D045482:Hot Springs; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
keywords: (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate; Bathing; Hot springs; Tea