Ingesting green tea regularly may provide numerous health benefits, potentially including improved weight loss. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat."
Theories/Speculation
Some scientists theorize that green tea's fat-burning capabilities might stem from a type of polyphenols called catechins. As reported in "The Journal of Nutrition" in December 2008, obese adults who supplemented an exercise plan with green-tea catechins experienced greater weight loss than non-supplementing counterparts.
Types
A brewed cup of green tea typically contains between 80 and 100 milligrams of polyphenols, while green tea extract capsules contain from 100 to 750 milligrams, according to the Mayo Clinic. As of 2010, a standard dosage for weight-loss purposes had not yet been established.
Warning
While most medical experts consider a green tea supplement safe in moderation, it can cause side effects in caffeine-sensitive individuals including nausea, sleeplessness and diarrhea. In rare cases, green tea extract capsules have been linked to liver problems.
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