It is estimated that, as of 2011, over 127 million Americans are overweight or obese. The World Health Organization calls it a global epidemic. Americans are turning to alternative methods of weight loss, including the use of green tea. Green tea originated in East Asia as early as 500,000 years ago, according to archaeological evidence. Today, green tea is exported worldwide.
Types of Tea
Three different types of tea exist: black, oolong and green. They all come from the plant called Camellia sinensis. What makes the three varieties different is in the processing. Black and oolong are fermented, while green tea is considered an unfermented tea and therefore claims to have higher concentrations of antioxidants called polyphenols. Historically, green tea has been used medicinally for digestion, blood sugar control, flatulence, as a diuretic and for controlling body temperature.
How Green Tea Works
Polyphenols found in green tea eradicate free radicals that damage and alter your cells. Researchers also postulate that it is the polyphenols, more specifically, a type of polyphenol called catechins, that may be responsible for green tea's fat burning effect, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Green tea contains six catechin compounds, with apigallocatechin being the most active. Alkaloids -- theobromine, theophylline and caffeine -- are also present in green tea.
Green Tea and Weight Loss
The alkaloids in green tea give it a stimulant effect, contributing to increased energy levels and metabolism. Along with the fat burning effect of the catechins, may contribute to weight loss and maintenance. The "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" published a study in 1999 where some people were given green tea extract to see if energy expenditure and fat oxidation increased over a 24-hour period. At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that green tea has thermogenic and fat oxidation properties that may help in controlling weight.
How Many Cups
According to the 1999 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," using green tea extract, the researchers claimed that to obtain the same results, you would need to drink green tea continuously throughout the day. However, UMMC suggests consuming 2 or 3 cups of green tea, depending on the brand of tea, should provide about 240 to 320 mg polyphenols. For those who don't like tea, take 100 to 750 mg per day of green tea extract.
References
- Vanderbilt University: Does Green Tea Truly Make People Lose Weight?; Fatmata Daramy; September, 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green tea
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Efficacy of a Green Tea Extract Rich in Catechin Polyphenols and Caffeine in Increasing 24-h Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Humans; Abdul G Dulloo, et al.; December 1999
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