The Green Tea Weight Loss Connection

The green tea weight loss connection is not simply the stuff of folklore but has been verified by a number of scientific studies. In one French study, 60 extremely overweight women were put on a weight loss program. One group was given green tea capsules – 500mg with breakfast, 750mg with lunch and dinner – while the other took a placebo.

After 15 days, the green tea drinkers had lost twice as much weight as the placebo group. In 30 days, they had lost three times the weight. Similarly, in the first 15 days their waist measurements decreased by twice as much as the placebo group, four times as much after 30 days.

Kathryn O'Neill offers more promising data on green tea weight loss in her article titled Green Tea And Weight Loss:

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 polyphenols 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 al 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.
   
   We are a nation hooked on our java. Be it the regular double-cream, double-sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappucinno, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wreaking 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-chillate dream. You'll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.
   

1. 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 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 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.
   

• It's used as a cholesterol reducing agent.
• Like all teas it contains antioxidants.
• Green tea contains fluoride so is often used after meals to help protect teeth and gums.