Compounds contained in green and white tea can prevent excreting testosterone in urine

Sportspersons become more and more sophisticated in intake of steroids. They study new methods to mask their application of banned medications. Certain sportspersons spend time studying scientists’ statements which could help them to hide that they dope. Today a method has been discovered: athletes can mask administration of testosterone with the help of green tea.
Testosterone is a hormone which occurs in body naturally. So, it may be difficult for anti-doping organizations to determine that a person has used testosterone. T: E ratio testing is usually utilized by anti-doping organizations. Such tests may demonstrate uncommon ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in urine. But it doesn’t have capacity to display difference between testosterone which has been produced in body naturally and that introduced into body with the help of injections, gels, etc.
 Declan Naughton and his colleagues at Kingston University ( London) have determined that green tea has such compounds which are called “catechins”. They are capable to inhibit the enzyme UGT2B17. This enzyme induces attaching glucuronic acid to testosterone. If UGT2B17 is inhibited, less testosterone glucoronide is excreted in urine.  
Catechins, the compounds that are capable to mask testosterone use, are contained in green and white tea. Black tea doesn’t contain such compounds.
Naughton and his colleagues have conducted certain experiments. They confirm that a cup of strong green tea hides administration of testosterone.
So, those sportspeople that take testosterone can lower quantities of testosterone excreting in urine by drinking of green or white tea. Green or white tea has capacity to block excretion of testosterone, enhancing circulating levels of this hormone.
The World Anti-Doping Agency was informed about the findings by the specialists. If this process occurs, it is not worthy to apply urine tests. Blood tests must be performed for detection of testosterone use.
Olivier Rabin, the WADA’s specialist, confirms that regular checks of blood steroids will be added. Everything will be done by anti-doping organizations in order to prevent fooling of urine tests.