There’s recently been a lot in the weight loss news concerning green tea. Green tea’s weight loss effects have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew. But just how does green tea help you lose weight? And does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you the real facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.
Advantages of drinking green tea for weight loss:
1) Green tea revs up your metabolism
A study reported 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 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 polyphentols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).
2) 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 the blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.
3) Green tea may help reduce appetite
Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21% of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60% less food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects of green tea.
4) Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.
We are a nation hooked on our coffee. Be it the regular double- cream, double- sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappuchino, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wrecking havoc on our waistlines.
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-chiallate 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 do you actually have to drink it to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects? Experts vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3-5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. Doing this can 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
1) Green tea is not a magic bullet
While some people will tell ypu that green tea os the be-all-end-all for weight loss success, I think the keyword here is balance. You’re not going to eat 5000 calories a day, 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.
2) Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems
For some people that have heart trouble, 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 and consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting yoru 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 overall health!
[…] choose green tea because they want to improve their health and lifestyle, or because they want to lose weight. Indeed, Maureen Gallagher, Unislim Leader of the Year 2013, was delighted with the launch of […]