Green tea contains polyphenol compounds called catechins that may have fat-fighting effects, according to a literature review conducted by Sabu M. Chacko of the NPO International Laboratory of Biochemistry in Nagoya Japan, which was published in the journal "Chinese Medicine" in 2010. Chacko notes that human studies indicate benefits from green tea and its extracts that may aid in weight reduction by increasing the body's ability to burn fat. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of green tea as an aid to weight loss.
Green Tea
Green tea is derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, as are all teas. Green tea differs from black or oolong teas in that it is not fermented, thus allowing its volatile oils, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols to remain in their active form, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Green tea has been consumed as a beverage for thousands of years and continues to be a staple of many cultures. Caffeine present in the beverage may add to the thermogenic, or fat-burning, effects of green tea, but the Pennington Nutrition Series points out that the thermogenic effects of green tea are greater than would be derived from caffeine alone. Green tea can be purchased in tea bags or in bulk form in most natural foods groceries.
Green Tea Supplements
Green tea extracts can be purchased in pill form. These supplements contain the catechins that are thought to contribute to weight loss and to bolster general health through their powerful antioxidant properties, according to Jennifer Anderson, a Colorado State University Extension professor of food science and human nutrition. Anderson states that these supplements may help decrease cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and increase weight loss.
When shopping for green tea extract supplements, search for "standardized polyphenols content." Those taking blood-thinning drugs should ask their physician about the possibility of drug interactions when taking green tea extracts.
Liquid Extract
The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that liquid extracts are another option for adding green tea polyphenols to your diet. The United States National Library of Medicine lists a number of green tea extracts on the market. For instance, one concentrate offers green tea extract in combination with ginseng in a bottle that dispenses 90 mg of epigallocatechin gallate, the active polyphenols found in green tea, per half dropper full.
References
- "Chinese Medicine": Beneficial Effects of Green Teas: A Literature Review
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- Colorado State University Extension: Weight Loss Product and Programs
- United States National Library of Medicine: Dietary Supplement Labels Database: Windmill Health Products Hi-Ener-G Green Tea Liquid Concentrate :
- Pennington Nutrition Series: Green Tea Metabolic Influences
- University of Michigan Health System: Green Tea
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