Black tea reduces diet-induced obesity in mice via modulation of gut microbiota

Black tea was reported to alter the microbiome populations and metabolites in diet-induced obese mice and displays the properties prevents obesity. Epigenetic studies offer a tool to understand the link between obesity and environment. Here, we show that the water extract of black tea reverses HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, alters the tissue gene expression, changes the level of a major epigenetic modification, and prevents obesity in HFD feeding mice. Our results show a mechanistic link between black tea, changes in the gut microbiota, epigenetic processes and tissue gene expression in the modulation of diet-induced metabolic dysfunction. Black tea represents a potential prebiotic agent that may be used for the treatment of obesity and its complications.