1. Get to Know Green Tea's Wonder Antioxidant
At the core of green tea is a rich antioxidant called catechin. Modern research shows that this substance can help increase the body's metabolism and improve weight-loss results. According to "The International Journal of Obesity," catechin is responsible for the fat-burning effect when you drink green tea. While this is all positive news for dieters, the tea also helps to lower the body's total cholesterol level in addition to raising HDL (the good) cholesterol.
2. Brew Green Tea
Enjoy green tea every day to get the most weight-loss benefits. The latest research and studies indicate that drinking a minimum of four cups of brewed green tea per day can help you lose weight. Choose loose tea leaves that are small since this type of tea will infuse faster than the large tea leaves. Overall, loose leaves are more effective than using teabags. If you do use tea bags, dip them in the water a few times rather than letting the bags just sit. The polyphenols (antioxidants) are released when the tea is in the boiling water. To further bring out the antioxidant content, you should steep the tea for two to five minutes after it boils.
3. Take Green-Tea Supplements or Tonics
Evaluate other forms of green tea like supplements and tonics. Some individuals choose to take a green-tea supplement once a day to save time or avoid the taste of green tea. Look for a capsule or supplement that has 125 to 500 mg of polyphenol. The supplements are simply green-tea extracts that provide the same benefits as the brewed tea. You may find that green tea in a tonic form is easier to ingest. Green-tea tonic is commonly taken by the teaspoon (one or two teaspoons at a time) or added into hot or sparkling water.
4. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle That Includes Green Tea
Through a healthy combination of brewed tea and supplements or tonics, many people find the perfect balance for their particular lifestyles. Green tea not only helps protect against prostate and other cancers, but it is also used to ease stomach problems and to lower blood pressure. If you have a few cups of coffee a day, replace that with green tea. When combined with a semi-low-fat diet and weekly exercise, green tea can shrink your waistline and aid your overall physical health.
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