All teas have their basis from the same plant -- Camellia sinensis. The color of the leaves for each tea is affected by processing. The more processed the leaf, the darker the color. The HealthCastle website reports that antioxidant polyphenols in tea are present no matter the tea color.
The question of how many calories green tea burns cannot scientifically be answered with accuracy. As of 2010, researchers continued to study in order to prove definitively whether or not green tea intake aids the body in burning calories, and if so, by how much and through what processes.
Expert Insight
The results of a meta-analysis that included the results of 15 separate studies were published in the January 2010 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." The analysis concerned the difference in weight loss, weight maintenance and other measurable factors between study participants who took green tea catechin supplements and those who took green tea catechin with caffeine. Study authors reported that the participants who took the catechin with caffeine showed improvements in weight loss, body mass index and other factors.
Significance
According to the meta-analysis reported in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," an article from the University of New Mexico and a fact sheet from Colorado State University Extension, the caffeine in green tea is likely the substance behind any increased calorie burning that may occur from green tea intake.
References
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition": Effect of Green Tea Catechins with or without Caffeine on Anthropometric Measures: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Olivia J. Phung et al, January 2010
- Health Castle: Health Benefits of Tea
- University of New Mexico: The Remarkable Calorie
- Colorado State University Extension: Weight Loss Products and Programs
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