Green tea has been renowned for its medicinal and dietary merits, but you may wonder if it can actually speed your body's metabolism of carbs. Current research has proven that the combination of caffeine and antioxidants in green tea does in fact act to stimulate your body's metabolic processes, according to "Prevention" magazine. As with trying any natural health remedy, you should consult a health care professional first.
Carbs
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are macro-nutrients that naturally occur in fruits, vegetables, milk, nuts, grains, seeds and legumes. According to the Mayo Clinic, some food manufactures add carbs to their processed food products in the form of starch, sugar or fiber. Your body breaks down carbs in a process called thermogenesis to produce body heat and energy. When you consume more carbs than your body can naturally metabolize, they are stored as fat. Raising your metabolism enables your body to process more carbs daily.
Caffeine
Like coffee and traditional black teas, green tea contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant to your nervous system and can boost your metabolism 5 to 8 percent, according to "Prevention" magazine. This action can equal 100 to 200 additional calories burned per day. So if your goal is to boost your metabolism, don't opt for a decaffeinated blend. Caffeine can also give you an added burst of energy.
Antioxidants
Catechins are antioxidants naturally present in green tea. Catechins alone were found to increase caloric burn up to 10 percent, or 50 calories per day, according to "Prevention" magazine. Another metabolism-boosting component of green tea is the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate, also known as ECGC. In a study of participants who consumed ECGC daily, some lost up to 21 percent of their total body weight, according to complementary medicine expert, Dr. Ronald Hoffman. This same study indicated that ECGC may also possess appetite-suppressing powers, as participants observed loss of appetite and subsequently ate 60 percent less after consuming ECGC for seven days.
Precautions
The effects of caffeine can be different for different individuals. Excessive caffeine can cause you to feel jittery or nauseous or vomit, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic recommends no more than two to four cups of coffee or tea per day. Some people also report headaches and anxiety in conjunction with too much caffeine. You should increase your intake gradually or limit your daily intake to prevent adverse side effects. You should consult your health care professional before beginning a diet regimen with green tea.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Nutrition and Healthy Eating: Carbohydrates
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman: EGCG - Potent Extract of Green Tea
- "High Speed Healing Rapid Action Remedies"; Prevention Magazaine Health Editors; 1991
- "Health and Weight-Loss Breakthroughs"; Prevention Health Magazine Editors; 2009
- The Mayo Clinic: Caffeine
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