Columbus, OH—A new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry suggests that green tea could lower risk of obesity and other inflammatory biomarkers.

In the experiment performed by Richard Bruno, lead author and professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University, and colleagues, male mice were divided into two groups: One group was fed a high fat diet; the other a normal diet. In each group, half of the mice were given green tea extract along with their food.

After eight weeks, scientists measured body and fat tissue weight, insulin resistance, gut permeability, inflammation and gut microbiomes. Mice fed a diet with 2% green tea extract showed better results.

“This study provides evidence that green tea encourages the growth of good gut bacteria, and that leads to a series of benefits that significantly lower the risk of obesity,” Bruno said in a press release.

Read more about this experiment and a follow-up study in humans research here.