Association Between Green Tea Drinking with Body Mass Index, Serum Lipid Profile and Prostate Specific-Antigen in a Ghanaian Population: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major malignancy that affects men worldwide. Obesity, dyslipidaemia and elevated serum PSA are some common risk factors. Green tea is a popular beverage in some West African communities with a relatively low incidence of PCa. However, the association of green tea drinking with these PCa risk factors in that population remains unknown. This study aimed at investigating the association between green tea intake with serum lipid profile, body mass index (BMI) and serum PSA. Methods: An analytical cross-section survey was conducted to compare serum lipid profile, BMI and serum PSA between green tea drinkers (GTD) and non-tea drinkers (NTD). A total of 415 men, 40 years or older, who gave their consent were assigned into four groups based on age: (40 – 49 years, 50 -59 years, 60 – 69 years, and 70+ years). BMI, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides) and serum PSA levels were determined and compared between GTD and NTD. Results: Significantly higher GTD with normal BMI were observed compared with NTD across all age groups and significantly lower odds of being overweight (obese) in GTD groups compared with NTD. Significantly lower atherogenic lipids were observed across all age categories in GTD compared to NTD. Further, lower odds of dyslipidaemia in GTD were observed compared with NTD across all age groups. Significantly lower mean serum PSA was observed in the older GTD age groups (60 – 69 and 70+) compared with the NTD and significantly lower odds of elevated serum PSA in GTD than NTD. However, no differences in mean PSA between GTD and NTD groups in the younger age groups. Weak positive correlations between serum PSA and BMI were observed in the NTD group regardless of the age category. However, significantly strong negative correlation between serum PSA and BMI among the older age GTD groups was observed compared with NTD. Conclusions: Consumption of green tea was associated with reduced atherogenic serum lipids and improved BMI independent of age. Further, GTD was significantly associated with reduced serum PSA in older men but not in younger adults.