The three main varieties of tea include black, oolong and green tea, accounting for the most commonly consumed beverage in the world except for water, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Green tea may have many health benefits, including being helpful for weight loss. Consult a qualified health care provider before using green tea to lose weight.
Benefits
Green tea has a high concentration of chemical compounds called polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants, explains the UMMC. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals, substances in the body that cause cell damage and contribute to disease and the aging process. Green tea may be helpful for preventing or improving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorder, coronary artery disease and cancer, and it may have protective effects for the liver.
Components
Green tea and green tea extract may boost metabolism and have fat-burning effects, according to the UMMC. These effects may be due to catechins, a type of polyphenol. In addition, unless green tea goes through a decaffeination process, it contains caffeine, and the stimulant effects of caffeine also are associated with benefits for weight loss, including decreased appetite.
Research
A study conducted by the department of physiology of Khon Kaen University in Thailand and published in the February 27, 2008 issue of "Physiology and Behavior" investigated whether green tea could help with weight loss in obese individuals. All participants ate a diet consisting of 65 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent protein and 20 percent fat for 12 weeks, but half received green tea while the others received a placebo. Those receiving green tea lost significantly more weight, which the authors attributed to increased levels of resting energy expenditure and fat-burning effects.
Usage
A standard recommended amount of green tea for health benefits is 2 to 3 cups per day, according to the UMMC. This would provide 240 to 320mg of polyphenols. You also could take 100 to 750mg of standardized green tea extract per day. Liquid extract and dried green tea extract in capsules are available.
Side Effects
Green tea can cause side effects, mainly associated with the caffeine intake, as noted by the UMMC. Caffeine can cause irritability, insomnia, dizziness and heart palpitations, particularly in people unused to the substance. Excessive caffeine intake can cause nausea, diarrhea and headaches. A combination of caffeine and other drugs used for weight loss, such as ephedrine, can cause agitation and tremors, in addition to insomnia.
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