Background: Pu-erh tea is a variety of fermented tea produced in Yunnan province, China. The pharmacological studies in recent years have already proved the effect it has on lower blood sugar (LBS) levels, but to date still no relevant integrated literature has been published. This study is to explore the relevant studies on effects that pu-erh tea has on LBS by using systematical review and meta-analysis.
Methods: The systematic searching of PubMed, EBSCO, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library and Web of science databases, adding Chinese literature in Airiti Library, Cnki Library, up to March 23, 2017, was conducted to identify studies including keywords: pu-erh tea, pu’re tea, and blood sugar. The meta-analysis of decreasing pooled blood sugar were assess the effects of pu-erh tea by using RevMan 5 and Stata software.
Results: Systematic reviews collected 4 human studies including 6 records and 2 mice studies including 16 records for meta-analysis. Results of meta-analysis showed the Pu-erh tea has a significant effect on LBS on mice and humen. The pooled weighted mean difference of blood sugar on mice studies were 71 mg/dl (95%CI: 13-129) and 116 mg/dl (95%CI: 55-179) at 21 days and 28 days, respectively. The reducing the pooled average fasting blood glucose level of 17 mg / dl (95% CI: 5-29) in human studies.
Conclusions: This study showed that pu-erh tea has significant effects on LBS in both human and animal models, especially after 21 days of continuous administration in mice.
