Green tea is among the most popular beverages worldwide, especially in Asia. Extensive research on green tea in humans, animals and laboratory tests demonstrates that green tea may lower cholesterol and blood sugar; help prevent atherosclerosis, liver disease, certain types of cancer and tooth decay; and relieve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Green tea may also help you to lose weight. Consult your doctor about the benefits of green tea for losing weight.
Weight Management
Almost two-thirds of the population worldwide live in countries where overweight and obesity are associated with more deaths of people than underweight. Overweight is defined as weighing more than you should, whereas obesity is defined as having too much body fat. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight if you are overweight or obese can delay or prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and arthritis.
Green Tea
Green tea contains several substances that have medicinal properties. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which contains high concentrations of catechins, theanine, caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. Catechins are polyphenolic antioxidants that protect your body from harmful substances. Theanine is an amino acid that helps relax your nervous system. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline are alkaloids that have stimulant effects on your body. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline are present in many weight loss supplements.
Weight Loss in Animals
Green tea has been shown to reduce weight in animals. Research by scientists at Shizuoka University in Japan, published in the January-February 2004 issue of "In Vivo," found that green tea can stimulate weight loss in mice. The results demonstrate that catechins and caffeine work together to prevent weight gain and increase weight loss. The results also show that green tea, and in particular caffeine, catechins and theanine, significantly reduce weight and fat.
Weight Loss in Humans
Research by scientists at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in February 2010 discovered that 4 cups per day of a green tea beverage or 2 capsules per day of a green tea extract supplementation for 8 weeks significantly decreases body weight and body mass index, the measurement of body fat. The results of the research also demonstrate that green tea improves blood cholesterol and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by overweight or obesity together with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Green Tea; September 20 2010
- World Health Organization; Obesity and Overweight; 2006
- MedlinePlus; Obesity; 2010
- "In Vivo"; Anti-Obesity Effects of Three Major Components of Green Tea, Catechins, Caffeine and Theanine, in Mice;Guodong Zheng; Jan-Feb 2004
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Green Tea Supplementation Affects Body Weight, Lipids, and Lipid Peroxidation in Obese Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome; Arpita Basu, et al.; Feb 2010
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