Green Tea Weight Loss? No doubt we all have read lots of weight loss tips that show the connection between green tea and weight loss, and about the great health benefits of green tea. From lowering cholesterol to helping in the prevention of certain types of cancer, drinking green tea or even taking a green tea supplement does provide many benefits.
But did you know that some studies have shown that by including green tea as part of a healthy weight loss system, along with regular exercise routines, it can help you to reach a more healthy weight?
Caffeine, which is a natural ingredient in green tea, is sometimes referred to as green tea fat burner because it has much the same effect as eating fat burning foods. This is very helpful in weight reduction because it increases your energy levels, helping to motivate you to get up and move around more. It is probably for this reason that many people who have tried it swear by the benefits of green tea and weight loss.
Green tea caffeine (or any caffeine) is also a fat burner itself, and taken in the right amounts it can help your body to burn fat. But as with anything else, caffeine should be taken in moderation because of possible side effects.
For instance, some people who consume caffeine have noticed side effects such as nervousness, and sleeplessness. The recommended amount of green tea for maximum health benefits is four to five cups per day, so if you are caffeine sensitive, try getting your caffeine in the morning.
If you have a couple of cups of the weight loss tea with your breakfast (instead of coffee) another cup mid morning, and one or two cups with lunch (cold, if you prefer) by the end of lunchtime you will have fulfilled your quota of tea for the day. This way, by not drinking the diet tea later in the day, you are less likely to experience sleeplessness than if you drink it later in the evening.
Green Tea And EGCG
Caffeine is not the only ingredient in green tea that helps with weight reduction. A healthy diet always consists of antioxidants and green tea is full of them. The active ingredient in green tea is named epigallocatechin gallate, but is more commonly known as EGCG.
There have been studies that show this antioxidant is actually much more powerful than vitamin E. Catechins in green tea are valuable in boosting thermogenesis and fat oxidation in humans, and these are both processes in our bodies that burn calories.
Catechins have also been shown to slow the rise of glucose in the human body after eating. Higher amounts of glucose means more insulin production and these high levels of insulin promote higher fat absorption rates. By lowering the glucose level after a meal, the rate of fat absorption is lowered, meaning that less fat is absorbed.
Adding a green tea weightloss brew to your healthy diet and exercise program can boost what you are already doing to get healthy and lose weight. Whether you choose to drink the tea or take a green tea weight loss supplement, you can help yourself get healthier and lose more weight by this addition to your weight loss regimen.
Brew Your Own Green Tea
Many of us today are finding out what the Chinese have always known. Green tea is a delicious drink that is also good for you. To get the most out of your tea, avoid the bottled, processed kinds you find in grocery stores or gas stations. Brewing your tea fresh will not only give you a delicious drink, but more of the health benefits of green tea as well.
In order to brew your tea, you’ll need fresh green tea leaves which can be found online, in some grocery stores, or at most oriental specialty stores. You’ll also need a teapot of course, and any teapot is ok, but Chinese teapots were created with this brew in mind and they will give you the best results.
Fresh, quality water is a must for your fresh brewed tea, and you’ll need teacups as well. If you prefer to use a Chinese teapot, you can pick one up for anywhere from twenty dollars to around 100 dollars.
You can get a good measure of the amount of water you need by filling a teacup and pouring it into the teapot. Do this for the desired amount of cups of tea.
- To brew your tea, you first need to heat the water to just before boiling, or about 170 degrees. Some experts agree that boiling water destroys the antioxidants contained within.
- One teaspoon of tea leaves per cup seems to be ideal for most people, but experiment to find the perfect amount for your taste. It may take a couple of times before you get the perfect cup of tea.
- When the water has reached the correct temperature, add the tea leaves and gently press them into the water, stopping short of pushing them all the way to the bottom. Allowing the tea leaves to float in the water gives them room to expand. Do not stir or shake the tea.
- The tea will be ready to enjoy after allowing it to sit for no longer than two minutes, as any longer than this will cause it to be too strong or bitter. Some people save their leaves and use them two or three times, but this is a personal choice of course.
- While many people prefer to drink their green tea as is, some also like to flavor or sweeten it with honey or fruit. Not only are these ingredients healthier than sugar, but they tend to enhance the flavor of the tea better than sugar.
Buy fresh green tea that was harvested early in the year and follow the directions for the most refreshing beverage that is not only a great thirst quencher, but one that can also help you fight off certain diseases, help you to relax, and will be a tastier drink for your green tea weight loss program.
Other Benefits Of Green Tea – Helps To Lower Cholesterol And Can Prevent Some Types Of Cancer
Because green tea is packed with antioxidants, also known as polyphenols, weight loss with green tea is not the only benefit you will gain with its consumption. These antioxidants can help reduce the effects of free radicals, help heal wounds, control blood sugar and manage gas.
One of the most amazing effects of green tea however, may be its ability to help reduce total cholesterol while increasing the amount of good cholesterol in your body. It does this by both blocking cholesterol from being absorbed, and also by lowering the amount already absorbed by your body, although it seems to be more effective at blocking cholesterol before it’s been absorbed at all.
Cholesterol in humans is one of the main causes of heart disease. LDL cholesterol, the bad kind, can cause atherosclerosis which is a buildup of cholesterol plaque in the arteries. Too much plaque causes heart disease and heart attacks, as well as stroke.
Oxidation of LDL is the reason it can stick to the artery walls. Many people who are at risk for heart disease have too much bad cholesterol but not enough good cholesterol. Drinking five to ten cups of green tea each day can help to lower your cholesterol and prevent new buildup in your arteries.
Because of the high concentrations of antioxidants found in green tea, some of its other amazing benefits include its ability to lessen your chances of contracting certain types of cancer (much like the hugely popular health drink, Acai berry juice). Here again, the Catechins found in the tea are the antioxidants that are most effective in fighting these problems.
Many scientists believe that there is no scientific evidence of the cancer fighting powers of green tea, and some even contend that it can be harmful because of possibly blocking the effects of many prescription cancer fighting drugs. Studies done by others however, have revealed that the catechins are successful in helping fight and prevent some cancers such as stomach cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, and many others.
There are many theories as to the ways green tea actually helps to fight cancer. Some research suggests that it confuses cancer cells in leukemia patients, which helps to kill them. Other research has found that in bladder cancer, the tea matured the cells making them bind together and making it more difficult for them to move around and spread. There have even been studies showing that green tea can deactivate the molecules that tobacco uses to cause cancer.
There are many places on the internet where you can find free weight loss tips and tons of other information that explain the health benefits of adding green tea to your diet, but as stated before, there are conflicting opinions on the amount of green tea you should drink every day. Many seem to be in agreement, however, that in order to benefit from its healing and preventive powers, you need to drink around five to ten cups a day, assuming you have no problems with the caffeine content or the taste. If taste is a problem for you, you may want to consider green tea supplements or decaf.
Beware of how your tea is decaffeinated since certain methods can remove the beneficial compounds of the tea. Tea decaffeinated with water/carbon dioxide retains the highest amount of catechins.
As with any diet consisting of medication or herbs, you should consult your doctor before starting the green tea diet, and when choosing a supplement to buy, be sure that the company is reputable and known for listing all ingredients on the label.
Many herbal supplements are not subject to any regulatory groups. Because of this, some tend to add ingredients that can harm you or do not list all ingredients. Herbs can interact with certain medications or other types of herbs so it is important to know everything you can about what you are taking before combining any treatments.
With all of the health benefits of green tea, there is no reason not to try it and many reasons to get some today. In addition to being a very effective weight loss tea, it is a natural way to prevent high cholesterol and heart disease now before they get out of hand, and is a great alternative to having to take prescription medications.
