Green Tea Helps Metabolize Foods
There have long been studies into the health benefits of green tea and the connections it has with weight loss. Green tea has been found to have many positive effects and can play a role in losing weight.
Understand the Effects
Green tea exhibits thermogenic properties. The process of thermogenesis causes the body to produce more heat through an increase in metabolism. This means burning more calories and breaking down fat, which ultimately leads to weight loss.
Now it is important to note that green tea doesn’t boost metabolism enough to produce quick and immediate results. It won’t be a miracle solution all on its own. But as one part of your weight loss plan, it can do wonders. Dr A,G. Dulloo writes in the International J.of Obesity:
“The thermogenic effect of tea is generally attributed to its caffeine content. We report here that a green tea extract stimulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis to an extent which is much greater than can be attributed to its caffeine content per se, and that its thermogenic properties could reside primarily in an interaction between its high content in catechin-polyphenols and caffeine with sympathetically released noradrenaline (NA). Since catechin-polyphenols are known to be capable of inhibiting catechol-O-methyl-transferase (the enzyme that degrades NA), and caffeine to inhibit trancellular phosphodiesterases (enzymes that break down NA-induced cAMP), it is proposed that the green tea extract, via its catechin-polyphenols and caffeine, is effective in stimulating thermogenesis by relieving inhibition at different control points along the NA–cAMP axis. Such a synergistic interaction between catechin-polyphenols and caffeine to augment and prolong sympathetic stimulation of thermogenesis could be of value in assisting the management of obesity.”
Maximize the Benefits
There are many different types of green tea available on the market. You can maximize its impact on your weight by purchasing a standardized herbal extract of pure green tea. There are many products for sale which don’t use the standard extract. While these brands may be cheaper, they are also lower in quality. These non-standardized extracts contain very little of the active ingredients, such as EGCG, needed to have any appreciable benefit to weight loss.
Many traditional herbalists and scientists agree that combining green tea with other beneficial weight loss herbs and nutrients into your diet can significantly improve results. A mixture of green tea, ginger and olive leaf can help lower cholesterol and help you lose weight.
When shopping for these products, always check the manufacturer information. Be on the lookout for extracts which strictly follow the FDA’s cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines. With cGMP approved items, you can be sure of getting your money’s worth and a high quality product.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 classifies herbal products as dietary supplements. In practice this means there are no guarantees when it comes to how effective the product will be. Don’t trust any company that claims 100% weight loss success with their products. These manufacturers are best avoided.
Green tea has many other health benefits. It has been linked to reducing chances of heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases, and is an overall a healthier alternative to standard tea or coffee.
Power of the Mind
At the end of the day, the real benefits of green tea will be felt in the long-term. But don’t let this discourage you and put you off from incorporating it into your weight loss program.
Aside from the direct physical effects, the psychological benefits should also be considered. It has been observed that people who drink green tea also tend to live healthier lifestyles in general and have the ideal mindset for losing weight (not to mention the benefits of improved cognitive function).
Remember, when you are trying to lose weight: Lack of a diet plan could let you down. Lack of exercise could let you down. A lack of conviction will certainly let you down.
