Green tea is an ancient beverage consumed widely throughout the world. Made from the dried leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, green tea possesses numerous health benefits thanks its high concentration of antioxidants. Research suggests that the active components of green tea promote weight loss and help to burn belly fat.
Weight Gain and Belly Fat
Weight gain results from consuming calories in excess of your body's needs. When you take in more nutrients than you require for your level of activity and metabolic rate, your body stores the extra energy for later use, resulting in fat and added pounds. Belly fat, also called subcutaneous fat, accumulates more quickly than fat in other parts of the body. Excess belly fat is associated with a range of health risks, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colorectal cancer and breast cancer in women.
Green Tea Health Benefits
Commonly dubbed a super food, green tea offers many benefits to your health. It is a rich source of antioxidants, which protect your body from the harmful effects of environmental free radicals that cause cancer and premature aging. Regular consumption of green tea is associated with improved cardiovascular function, improved digestion and healthy complexion. In addition to its other beneficial properties, green tea contains catechins, a potent antioxidant that helps detoxify the body and supports weight loss.
Supporting Research
Research demonstrates that regular consumption of green tea can facilitate weight loss and burn belly fat. Research published in 2004 in the journal "In Vivo" provides evidence that two of the main components of green tea, catechins and caffeine, can lead to a substantial reduction in belly fat and together demonstrate an anti-obesity effect. A 2005 study of green tea and catechins published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that over the course of a two week diet, clinical trial participants had significantly lower weight, body mass index and body fat than the control group.
Personal Considerations
As of 2011, there is inconclusive data on the amount of green tea you should consume to support weight loss and burn belly fat in a healthy manner. While green tea extract pills are available in pharmacies and health food stores, these may offer fewer benefits than consuming liquid tea, as the water content helps to flush toxins from the body. Consuming green tea as part of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will offer greater benefits, as these foods together will support digestion and elimination and help to reduce belly fat. If you are considering taking green tea as a nutritional supplement, be sure to consult your doctor to discuss any possible health risks.
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