In addition to a healthy diet and cardiovascular exercise, increasing metabolism is a strategy for weight loss. Metabolic rates are affected by a variety of hormones and chemicals, including plant-based compounds such as green tea. Stimulating metabolism slightly increases body temperature, which will cause a person to burn calories at a higher rate. Green tea contains compounds that increase metabolism, heart rate and body temperature, which can result in fat loss. However, consulting a health-care professional is important before embarking on metabolism-altering supplements.
Metabolism and Weight Loss
Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions within living organisms that allow them to maintain life. It consists of catabolism, which is breaking down organic matter for energy; and anabolism, which uses energy to build compounds such as proteins and nucleic acids. The speed of metabolism, or metabolic rate, influences how much food a person requires and if the rate of calorie burning is greater than the amount of calories consumed, then weight loss occurs. Green tea has properties that increase metabolic rate.
Properties of Green Tea
Green tea has many health-promoting properties, including its thermogenic effects. Thermogenic effects produce heat and slightly increase body temperature, which is what occurs when metabolic rate is increased. According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," green tea contains catechin polyphenols, which alter the body's use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter able to increase the rate of calorie burning. A clinical study published in a 2005 edition of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" noted that catechin-rich green tea extract leads to body fat reduction and reduced levels of blood cholesterol. Green tea contains caffeine, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce testosterone, which boosts energy and also increases metabolic rate.
Metabolism Increase
Green tea increases metabolism, but not in a dramatic fashion. Even if concentrated green tea extracts are used daily as a supplement, it is estimated to increase metabolic rates between four and five percent, although amounts taken, gender and weight of an individual are all important factors, as cited in "Contemporary Nutrition: Functional Approach." To put that in perspective, a four percent increase in metabolism amounts to about 100 calories burned daily for the average male adult.
Types of Green Tea
There are numerous versions of green tea available, but they all come from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. As a tea plant, green tea varieties contain caffeine, unlike popular herbal teas, which should be called herbal infusions to distinguish them from the properties of tea leaves. Green tea is grown mainly in three countries -- China, Japan and India -- which offer different climates and growing conditions that affect taste, caffeine content and catechin concentration, according to "The Way of Chinese Herbs."
References
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Ingestion of a tea rich in catechins leads to a reduction in body fat and malondialdehyde-modified LDL in men; T. Nagao et al.; January 2005
- "Contemporary Nutrition: Functional Approach"; Gordon M. Wardlaw; 2009
- "The Way of Chinese Herbs"; Michael Tierra; 2008
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