Green tea has gained popularity as having an effect on weight loss. It is well known for its polyphenol and antioxidant components that may have a positive effect on cancer and aging.
Green tea may boost the weight loss process by boosting the body's exercise endurance, causing it to burn more fat to build leaner muscle. Over time, consistent servings of green tea may help maintain the desired weight levels, as it acts as a dietary aid to maintain a healthy metabolism. Since green tea does not have any known side effects, it can be enjoyed in the desired quantity on a daily basis.
1. Function
In addition to its fat-melting properties, green tea may also stop the absorption of fat from food into the body. Green tea suppresses the appetite and helps to regulate blood sugar levels, both of which are effective for weight loss.
2. Considerations
The combination of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine may give green tea its effective fat-burning and calorie-burning properties. Caffeine taken alone, or in other beverages, does not result in the same level of weight loss effectiveness as it does with green tea, however.
3. Identification
Green tea, also known as Camellia sinesis, is native to East Asia, yet it is cultivated in other parts of Asia, as well as Africa and the Middle East. Green tea is especially enjoyed in Japan, China, Thailand and India, where it is drank as a leisure tea and for medicinal benefit. Green tea is used in the traditional medicine of China and India for digestion, mental health, wound healing, as a diuretic and stimulant, and for blood sugar and temperature regulation.
4. Expert Insight
Research conducted by the Tang Center for Herbal Medical Research at the University of Chicago showed that the green tea component EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) has a positive lowering effect on levels of cholesterol, lipids and glucose in the body. The study showed that EGCG reduced the skin's fat deposits, as well as the fat stores within the abdomen. On the other hand, the research conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that green tea has an effect on the body's metabolism through its promotion of thermogenesis, or calorie burning, in the body. This, coupled with fat oxidation, makes green tea a preferred natural agent for weight loss.
