Being overweight increases the risk of a variety of developing a variety of disorders including stroke, cancer, hypertension and gallbladder disease. Unfortunately, shedding excess pound is rarely an easy task. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that reducing your calorie intake and increasing the amount of exercise you do is the only proven way of losing weight. Despite this, weight loss herbs and supplements are an appealing option for many people. Green tea is an example of an herb sometimes used to aid weight loss, although evidence to prove it works is limited. Get medical advice before using it.
Properties
Green tea, also known as Chinese tea or Japanese tea, is prepared by steaming fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that aside from being a popular beverage, it is also used as an alternative treatment for numerous medical conditions including high cholesterol, cognitive disorders and cancer. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that it might also aid weight loss by helping the body to burn fat and boosting metabolism.
Use
Green tea is commonly brewed and consumed as a warm beverage, but green tea extracts are available in capsules and tablets from many health food stores. Since green tea is not a proven weight loss aid, guidance regarding a dose that might help you lose weight is lacking. However, a qualified herbalist may be able to advise you. Consult your doctor before using green tea as a weight loss aid.
Effectiveness
There is not enough data to determine whether green tea is an effective weight loss, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, an analysis of data from 11 clinical studies, published in the September 2009 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity" show that catechins and epigallocatechin gallate, compounds found in green tea, have a small but positive effects on weight loss and weight loss maintenance.
Safety Considerations
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts, but adds that using green tea extract has been linked with liver problems. Green tea contains caffeine so you may experience caffeine-related side effects such as an upset stomach, irritability, diarrhea and insomnia, while using this herb. Don't use green alongside anticoagulant drugs like aspirin or warfarin as it may make them less effective.
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