Most people would probably agree that trying to lose weight is not much fun. Although some people lose weight more easily than others, sticking to a low-fat, low-calorie diet and getting plenty of exercise requires commitment and determination. Perhaps it's not surprising, then, that the marketplace is filled with supplements promising to make it easy for you to shed extra pounds. Compounds in green tea may help you lose weight when used alongside diet and exercise, but scientific evidence to prove this is limited. Don't use green tea in place of diet and exercise, and get medical clearance before using it as a weight loss aid.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Green tea is a commonly consumed beverage that may have medicinal benefits. Made by steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, it is used to alleviate symptoms of a number of conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, stomach disorders and kidney stones. Green tea is also sometimes used as a weight loss aid. It contains compounds known as polyphenols, which, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, may boost metabolism and burn fat.
Effectiveness
Few clinical studies have examined green tea's efficacy as a weight loss aid. However, the results of a clinical study published in the February 2009 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" found that green tea compounds boost exercise-induced abdominal fat loss. An analysis of data from 11 clinical studies published in the September 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity" also found that green tea constituents have a small effect on weight loss.
Side Effects
MedlinePlus says that green tea is safe for most people, although drinking too much -- for example, more than five cups a day -- may cause a range of side effects including headache, vomiting, irritability, heartburn and confusion. MedlinePlus adds that drinking very large amounts may even be fatal. Don't drink more than five cups daily without first checking with your doctor that it is safe for you to do so.
Contraindications
Although green tea is freely available at most groceries and health food stores, it may not be safe for everyone. Its use is contraindicated in a large number of conditions such as anxiety disorders, heart conditions, diabetes and anemia. It may also interfere with the ability of other drugs -- for example, antibiotics, lithium and certain anti-cancer drugs -- to work properly. Check with your health care provider that it is safe for you to use green tea as a weight loss aid.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Obesity
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Green Tea Catechin Consumption Enhances Exercise Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults; K.C. Maki, et al.; February 2009
- "International Journal of Obesity"; The Effects of Green Tea on Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance: A Meta-Analysis; R. Hursel, et al.; September 2009
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