What Are The Benefits Of Green Tea Capsules For Weight Loss?

Green tea has been linked to several health benefits including protection against cancer and heart disease. It's rich in antioxidant polyphenols that fight free radicals that damage cells, tissue and your DNA, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. A type of polyphenols in green tea, catechins, is also increasingly being promoted for its weight-loss benefits. It's available as capsules or liquid extract. However, if you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before taking green tea supplements.

Metabolism Boost

Green tea contains caffeine and a caffeine-related compound called theobromine. Caffeine increases metabolism, according to "Natural Fat Burners." However, a study conducted on green tea catechins indicated that green tea's benefit for weight loss goes beyond its caffeine content. In the study, which was published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 1999, researchers found that green tea had thermogenic properties---meaning it was able to generate heat---and increased fat burning. However, treatment with just caffeine did not produce the same result.

Visceral Fat Loss

Visceral fat sits in the abdomen under abdominal muscle. It's considered more dangerous than subcutaneous fat that lies beneath the skin because it wraps around vital organs. It also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers from the University of Alabama. However, green tea capsules can help to prevent visceral fat from accumulating in the abdomen, according to a study published in the "Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2009.

Liver Health

Green tea antioxidants protect your liver from toxins and alcohol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A healthy liver is essential for weight loss as it's the main fat-burning organ in the body, explains Dr. Sandra Cabot, author of "The Liver Cleansing Diet." It regulates metabolism and eliminates excess fat out of your body through bile into the small intestine, states Cabot.

When toxins damage the liver or it becomes overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toxins it's exposed to on a daily basis, it cannot effectively regulate fat metabolism. According to Cabot, when this occurs fat builds up in the blood vessels and settles into various areas of your body, including under your skin and around your abdominal area. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking about 240 to 320 mg of green tea polyphenols each day.