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Green Tea and Weight Loss
Recently, green tea has been a lot in the weight loss news. Green tea's weight loss effects
have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew. How does green
tea help you lose weight? Does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you some
information based on facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.
Advantages of Drinking Green Tea for Weight Loss:
Green tea revs up your metabolism
A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract
resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism 'boost').
The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract
increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations
of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation
and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).
Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation
Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose
into fat cells. Green tea may also act as a glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise
in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage)
and the subsequent fat storage.
Green tea may help reduce appetite
Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their
body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less
food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects
of green tea.
Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew
If you want to save mega-calories in the morning but still get your caffeine fix, try
substituting green tea for coffee. Or have a green tea in the afternoon instead of that
700 calorie mocha dream. You'll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.
So there are 4 ways that green tea can help you with weight loss. But how much do you
actually have to drink to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects?
Experts opinion vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3-5 cups of green tea per day is optimal.
Just by drinking green tea might help you burn an extra 70 calories per day, which amounts to 7 pounds per year.
Pretty good for not exercising or cutting calories, right?
However, 3-5 cups can be a lot for some people, so you might also want to consider green tea extract,
green tea pills or a green tea patch.
Disadvantages of Drinking Green Tea For Weight Loss:
Green tea is not a magic bullet
While some people will tell you that green tea is the be-all-end-all for weight loss success,
I think the keyword here is balance. You're not going to eat 5000 calories daily, drink a cup of green
tea and make it all go away - it just isn't going to happen. A healthy diet and increased exercise will
go a long way in helping you lose weight and keep it off.
Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems
For some people that have heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, the caffeine
in green tea may not be the best idea. If you're worried about the caffeine from green tea, try taking green tea
extract. Most green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea so you can still get the weight loss benefits
without the caffeine.
If you think the caffeine may be a problem, make sure to consult your doctor before starting green
tea for weight loss. Also make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea if you are pregnant
or breastfeeding.
Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate, regulating your
blood sugar, suppressing your appetite and giving you something else besides that high calorie, high sugar
coffee beverage to drink in the morning. While it's not the magic bullet, it can definitely give you a boost in
weight loss and in your overall health!
About The Author: Kathryn O'Neill is a contributing writer to
Diet and Weight Loss Reviews: FreeToBeThin.com
Adapted by Editorial Staff, January 2007
Last update, August 2008
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