Green tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant that provides black, white and oolong teas. They all go through different processing, however, and green and white teas contain more antioxidants than the others, which fight against a number of diseases and might also promote weight loss.
Weight Loss Benefits
Catechins, a type of polyphenol antioxidant, in green tea reduced body fat and weight, waist and hip circumference, systolic blood pressure and LDL, or "bad," cholesterol in obese study participants in a 2007 study in the journal "Obesity." The literature review of the study cited additional studies in which green tea increased the oxidation of fat lipids and metabolism. A cup of green tea contains 50 to 150 mg of polyphenol antioxidants. The caffeine might also have an effect on weight loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, as it acts as a stimulant.
Dosage
For the health benefits of green tea, you should take two to three cups of it every day, which would provide 240 to 320 mg of polyphenols. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking caffeine-free green tea, as numerous cups of caffeinated green tea will provide an abundance of caffeine and possibly cause side effects like headaches, heart palpitations and irritability.
Warning
MedlinePlus explains that more than five cups of caffeinated green tea per day is too much. If you have more than 10 g of caffeine, it can actually cause death; lower amounts can cause toxicity. Green tea can also interfere with a number of medications, so talk to your doctor about any interactions.
Considerations
Although green tea might promote some weight loss, you should reduce your calories and exercise for the most effective and safe method of weight loss. Aim to lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week by reducing your calories by 3,500, or 500 each day.
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