Discover Green Tea for Weight Loss

Using green tea for weight loss is a natural and healthy alternative to many other risky fat burning supplements.  Compared to other teas such as black tea and oolong tea whose leaves are fermented during the processing, the leaves of green tea are merely withered and steamed with very minimal processing meaning its health giving properties are more concentrated than other varieties of tea.

How does Green Tea help Weight Loss?

Using green tea for weight loss targets and lowers a number of factors responsible for weight gain and by virtue of this very factor reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease (diseases associated with obesity).  In trials conducted in Holland those who drank the caffeinated variety of green tea for weight loss, lost more overall than those who drank decaffeinated varieties.  Researchers put this down to greater fat oxidation helped by caffeine.

Appetite Suppressant

Firstly, daily consumption acts as a natural appetite suppressant so by replacing your coffee or soda with green tea you’ll find that you’re inclined to consume less calories overall throughout the day.  You’ll also find that your regular cravings for sugary or starchy foods are lessened.  Lowering the consumption of these foods is crucial for weight loss.

Boost Metabolism

At the same time the natural compounds contained are shown to raise your metabolic rate therefore burning any calories consumed throughout the day at a faster rate and raising the benefits of any exercise you do.  If you monitor your diet you will heighten the caloric deficit enabling you to lose weight much faster.

Extra Benefits of Using Green Tea for Weight Loss

In addition to the superb weight loss properties of green tea, it also holds many other health benefits which have been enjoyed by Asian cultures for thousands of years.  Over recent years there have been numerous trials and research carried out looking at the medicinal properties of green tea from a scientific stand point.

As well as green tea weight loss benefits, it has been shown to help with everything from reducing cancer risk to maintaining a healthy heart.

Cancer Fighting

There are a number of different cancers which studies have shown green tea consumption to be effective in reducing the risks of acquiring.  Some of these include skin, colon, bladder, lung, breast and esophageal cancers.   The power of green tea to fight these diseases largely derives from its high flavonoid content.  Flavonoids are plant based antioxidants crucial to healing the body at a cellular level and staving off cancers.  Green tea is the richest known source of a group of antioxidants called catechins.  When tested in a lab, they have been shown to be better at fighting disease and preventing oxidative damage to cells than vitamins C and E.

Heart Health

As well as benefiting from its cancer fighting powers, regular consumers of green tea experience a lower risk of heart disease.  The antioxidants present in the tea have been shown to improve artery function through reducing the oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDLs = Bad Cholesterols) and increasing high density lipoproteins (HDLs = Good Cholesterols).  A  45% – 60% reduction in hypertension was recorded in a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine amongst regular consumers of green or oolong teas relative to those who do not drink them.

How Much Green Tea do I Need?

In order to get the full benefits of green tea and absorb all its antioxidants and health promoting plant compounds, you need to consume an adequate amount and prepare it correctly.  Three to four cups per day is the typical amount consumed among Asian cultures so you should aim to consume around that much.  To bring out all the catechins (plant flavonoids and antioxidants) you need to allow the tea to steep (brew) for somewhere between 3 and 5 minutes.  To get the biggest antioxidant hit, drink the tea freshly brewed.  Unfortunately bottled, ready to drink type teas and instant teas don’t pack the same flavonoid punch.  Fresh is always best!

Do Green Tea Supplements Work?

Taking green tea extract won’t harm you found in various weight loss supplements is unlikely to cause you any problems unless you suffer from any liver related issues.  Research does suggest that drinking it is the best way to reap the benefits if your goal is fat loss as there may be a number of compounds contained in green tea which work best when consumed together, however the jury is still out on this fact.

Warnings

Be aware that green tea does contain caffeine so if you’re adversely, don’t drink it too close to bed time.  Additionally, it can reduce the absorption of iron (another essential nutrient for weight loss) from some fruits and vegetables, so either drink between meals or add some lemon or milk to counteract this.  I personally prefer adding lemon.  Milk is not typically consumed with green tea or other herbal teas.

Additionally, green tea weight loss strategies aren’t the magic bullet.  You can’t drink this “magic beverage” and then eat what you want.  It is however a great complement to a healthy diet and may increase your results as well as improving your wellbeing in other areas.