According to exercise physiologist and American Council on Exercise spokesperson Cedric Bryant, belly fat is the easiest fat to lose. Sipping green tea might make it even easier. Several studies suggest green tea may aid weight loss. But keep in mind there is no conclusive evidence that any herb or supplement can treat or prevent weight gain. Check with your doctor before using green tea to lose belly fat.
Description
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, and studies suggest green tea, in particular, has many health benefits, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Green tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is made from the plant's unfermented tea leaves, which have higher concentrations of potent antioxidants called polyphenols than black and oolong teas, according to the UMMC. It can be prepared as a beverage or an extract can be produced from the leaves.
Research
A 2007 Japanese study of people with visceral fat suggests green tea may help get rid of belly fat. Visceral fat refers to fat in the tummy area that is deep enough to affect internal organs. In the double-blind study published in "Obesity," subjects ingesting green tea extract with a type of polyphenol called catechins lost more visceral fat and had smaller waistlines after 12 weeks than people ingesting green tea extract with fewer catechins. Additionally, in a 2011 study, feeding mice a high-fat diet enriched with high doses of green tea extract resulted in decreased weight gain and prevented the accumulation of visceral fat.
Explanation
Clinical studies suggest green tea may boost metabolism and aid fat-burning. To produce green tea, fresh leaves are steamed at high temperatures. This process helps maintain polyphenols, which may produce green tea's health benefits, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. The UMMC indicates polyphenols in green tea, particularly catechins, may be responsible for fat-burning. Additionally, green tea is 2 to 4 percent caffeine, which may boost calorie-burning and suppress appetite, MayoClinic.com reports.
Caution
Green tea extract is a dietary supplement. The ingredients in dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA for effectiveness or safety before being sold. Science Daily notes green tea may have some health benefits, but the evidence is still limited. Even if green tea helps reduce belly fat, it's no magic bullet. It is also crucial to eat a healthy, low-fat diet and get regular exercise. Always check with your doctor before using supplements or herbs for weight loss or other health benefits.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- Medline Plus: Green Tea
- "Obesity," Green Tea Extract Reduces Body Fat in Humans; T. Nagao, et al.; June 2007
- "Nutrition Research," Green Tea Aqueous Extract Reduces Visceral Fat in Rats; J. Bajerska, et al.; February 2011
- MayoClinic: Caffeine: Can It Help Me Lose Weight?
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