According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institute of Medicine, green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Diet green tea does not contain any sugar, carbohydrates or fat. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the caffeine and polyphenols in green tea improve weight loss in overweight individuals. Diet green tea is available in caffeine-free form, however, there are still traces of natural caffeine and other alkaloid stimulants in the caffeine-free products.
Polyphenols
The University of Maryland explains that green tea contains polyhenols, which act as powerful antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants protect the human body from oxidation damage from free radicals, such as air pollutants and ultraviolet rays from the sun. There are six active polyphenols in diet green tea, classified as catechins; catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate, also known as EGCG. Polyphenol antioxidants are more potent than vitamin C antioxidant agents. The "Journal of Nutrition" reported a study to research the effect of catechins in green on weight loss. It concluded that catechins do aid in weight loss.
Alkaloids
According to the University of Maryland, alkaloids are found in green tea and attribute to green tea's stimulant effects. The active alkaloids in diet green tea include; caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. The Mayo Clinic states that one cup of green tea contains approximately 50 milligrams of caffeine. MedlinePlus warns that you should be cautious when consuming green tea and other medications because your body has to break down the caffeine in green tea, which may interfere with the absorption of your current medications.
L-theanine
The University of Maryland states that green tea contains the amino compound, L-theanine. It is researched for its calming effects on the nervous system. Green Weight Loss Tea online states that theanine increases alpha brain-wave activity, allowing green tea to give your mind a calm, yet alert effect.
References
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- Mayo Clinic: Green Tea; Camellia Sinensis
- The Journal of Nutrition: Green Tea Catechin Consumption Enhances Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults
- Green WeightLoss Tea: Green Tea Health Benefits
- Mayo Clinic: Green Tea; Camellia Sinensis; Dosing
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