Benefits of Chinese Oolong and Green Tea for Dieting

Benefits of Chinese Oolong and Green Tea for Dieting
Photo Credit tea and tea pot in chinese cafe image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com

Proper diet and regular exercise remain the quintessential methods for losing weight and maintaining health. However, dieters often seek additional methods to expedite the process and offer added benefits. Drinking tea on a regular basis can augment weight loss and become a healthy lifestyle change. Oolong and green teas are familiar Chinese teas that have undergone much research in recent years. They come from the same plant, camellia sinensis, but are processed differently, according to CanadianTea.com. Both are beneficial for dieting by slightly increasing metabolism, providing rich antioxidants and reducing stress.

Increases Metabolism

Metabolism is the process of changing food into energy. Your metabolism slows down with age and can decrease during stressful life experiences. This allows more time for energy to be stored in the body as fat, and can often induce weight gain. Oolong and green teas can slightly increase metabolism and promote weight loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You will not lose significant amounts of weight simply by drinking these teas, but with regular consumption, your metabolism may increase, helping you burn fat, according to TeaMuse.com. Chinese studies have shown that people who drink green tea have less body fat than those who don't, reports VitaminsToHealth.com. These teas burn fat through a process called lipolysis, and also block fat absorption into your system. Clinical studies have shown that the combination of caffeine and green tea extract have improved weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals, according to UMMC.

Antioxidants

Oolong and green teas contain antioxidants important for protecting the immune system and keeping the body functioning properly. This allows you to eliminate fat and waste storage, promoting a healthy weight. Antioxidants also fight illness and disease, permitting physical activity. Oolong and green teas have significant amounts of polyphenols, or antioxidants, commonly found in fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants neutralize the damage of free radicals in the system and may even help prevent coronary artery disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It may not be a coincidence that countries like China and Japan, where tea drinking is common, have much less obesity-related disease.

Reduces Stress

Stress can increase the levels of the hormone cortisol in your body, causing you to store excess fat. Theanine is a natural relaxant and an ingredient in oolong and green teas, according to VitaminsToHealth.com. It can help promote focus and concentration and provide an overall feeling of well-being. In addition, oolong and green teas have less caffeine than coffee or black teas, according to CanadianTea.com. This allows for just enough attentiveness and focus, but also a little relaxation, leaving you feeling less stressed and ready to accomplish your daily tasks.

References

Article reviewed by Paula Martinac Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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