Tea, trailing only water, is the second most consumed beverage in the world Alan MacFarlane writes in his book "Empire of Tea." There are thousands of different varieties of tea and in their pure form (without sugar or extras added) they are a healthful beverage. But as an added benefit, certain teas also can encourage weight loss and fat burn. Please consult your doctor before making changes to your diet or taking dietary supplements.
Green Tea
Green tea may be known for it abundance of antioxidants but can assist in your weight loss. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a dermatologist that specializes in anti-aging, states that substituting green tea for coffee could lead to a "7 to 8 pound" loss in body fat in just six weeks. Adding green tea first thing in the morning instead of coffee can give you health benefits, fat loss and a caffeine fix.
Green tea can aid in fat loss in a variety of ways. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that green tea raised metabolism by 4 percent over a 24 hour period. Colonhealth.net reports that green tea also inhibits fat storage, balances blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite.
Nearly all ephedrine free fat burning dietary supplements contain green tea. Popular choices such as Hydroxycut and Xenadrine list green tea extract as an ingredient.
Wu Long Tea / Oolong Tea
Wu long tea, also known as "oolong tea," may be even more effective than green tea at burning fat. This is significant because the fat burning effects of green tea are highly regarded.
A Japanese study at the Tokushima School of Medicine found that "people who regularly consumed oolong tea exerpienced more than twice the calorie burning results compared to those who drank green tea."
Wu long tea may provide an even greater metabolic boost than green tea. The Journal of Medical Investigation found that "women who consumed wu long tea directly after a meal increased energy expenditure by 10 percent." Green tea drinkers only increased energy expenditure 4 percent.
It is not a surprising that wu long tea is commercially marketed as a weight loss supplement.
Hoodia tea
Hoodia Tea primarily functions in a different matter than green tea or wu long tea but can also assist in fat loss. Hoodia Gordonii suppresses appetite creating a caloric deficit that will lead to fat loss. Simply, hoodia will make you make you feel "less hungry." A 2001 Phytopharm double-blind study confirms this. The group that receive hoodia consumed 1,000 calories less per day than those that received the placebo. This is a significant amount. Mayo Clinic states that one pound of fat is 3500 calories. A 1,000 calorie daily deficit would amount to 7,000 calories in a week, or 2 lbs. of fat (if only fat, not muscle, was lost).
References
- Wrinkles: The Wrinkle Cure: Nicholas Perricone, MD. (Green tea substitute for coffee)
- Colon Health: Green Tea Boost Metabolic Weight Loss (raises metabolism 4%)
- Learn About Tea: Health Benefits of Wu Long Tea (weight loss)
- Hoodia Advice: The Science of Hoodia as an appetite suppresant (hoodia tea)
- Counting Calories: Get back to weight-loss basics (1 LB. Fat = 3,500 calories)
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