The fact that various teas contain beneficial antioxidants is well-known. Many claim to be slimming. Is it only oolong that inhibits fat absorption, and, if so, why?

James C. Matthews
Coral Springs, Fla.

Lauren Budd of the University of California, Davis works only with oolong. She acknowledges that research by others has shown a slimming effect from other teas. However, most of that research hasn’t focused on oolong, the tea that traditional Chinese medicine has linked with dieting .—J. Raloff