Benefits of Green Tea: Weight Loss with Green Tea: Green Tea Fat Burner

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By Amber Allen

Can green tea help with weight loss? Does green tea burn fat?

Green tea certainly appears to be an extraordinary drink which is attributed with providing with many health benefits but can it help with weight loss or burn fat. Well research would seem to indicate that it can.

Green tea has been used for over four thousand years as a traditional medicine by the Chinese to treat a wide number of conditions and the belief in its effectiveness is borne out by two ancient Chinese proverbs-

"Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one,"

"Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.”

We now have extensive scientific research that backs up these long held beliefs and this research is continuing as scientists and researchers look to expand their understanding of the properties that make green tea so special.

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So how does green tea help with weight loss and burn fat?

Green Tea is believed to work to help aid weight loss in several ways and a great deal of scientific research has been carried out in this area. If you were to go to PubMed.com and carry out a search for green tea you'd find around 4,000 reports of studies carried out on green tea.

I'm providing the details from just one of these reports which comes from the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (November 2010) and is entitled Antiobesity effects of green tea catechins: a mechanistic approach. In this report it is advised that results from a number of trials have shown that the consumption of green tea catechins may reduce both weight and fat. It states that there are several proposed ways which the catechins achieve this effect but the most prominent hypothesis is that the catechins influence the sympathetic nervous system activity increasing the expenditure of energy and promoting fat oxidation. It also explains that the caffeine present in green tea also influences the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and proposes that the caffeine and catechins may work in synergy to achieve increase the energy expenditure and fat oxidation.


What other health benefits do scientists credit to green tea ?

The list below is impressive but does come with a "health warning" as not all of the benefits listed have had human trials to confirm the findings.

  • It slows the rise in blood sugar following a meal by slowing down the action of amylase a digestive enzyme that helps breakdown starches.
  • It reduces the risk of developing Type II diabetes.

  • It is a powerful anti-oxidant that inhibits the growth of cancer cells and kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.

  • It benefits the cardiovascular system reducing heart disease - it is believed to be the reason why heart disease in Japanese men is very low even though about three quarter of them are smokers. The catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin) has been determined to be twice as effective as resveratol the active protective ingredient in red wine
  • It inhibits thrombosis, the abnormal formation of blood clots which is the main cause of heart attacks and stroke.
  • It lowers cholesterol levels and improves the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
  • It can help asthma sufferers as it contains theophylline which can help muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax,

  • It protects neurons so it is believed to be beneficial in both the treatment and prevention neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

  • It can even help prevent tooth decay!

What are the downsides to Green Tea?

Green tea does indeed have many positive qualities but it is not suitable for everyone.

Woman who are pregnant or trying to conceive should consult their doctor as green tea contains caffeine which is linked to the increased risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth rate and growth retardation. In addition the catechins in green tea can also adversely impact the body's use of folate a vital vitamin which helps prevents neural tube birth defects.

Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid green tea as the high caffeine content in green tea means that some of this caffeine will be passed on to the baby.

People who are caffeine sensitive or caffeine intolerant should also avoid green tea.

If you start drinking green tea and notice any problems you should consult your doctor.  The caffeine can cause side effects such as insomnia, heart palpitations, headaches, anxiety and irritability. 

Green Tea Tips

  • Start by making your tea weak and graually increase the strength and the number of cups you drink each day.
  • Drink your green tea without milk as this may inhibit some of the beneficial health effects
  • If you must have milk why not try soya milk as the different make up may not have the same negative impact as animal milk.
  • If you don't like green tea you can obtain the beneficial effects by the use of one of the many supplements on the market some of which are decaffeinated.

Comments

France Travel Inf profile image

France Travel Inf Level 1 Commenter 17 months ago

Beautifully written!

chinemeremz profile image

chinemeremz Level 2 Commenter 17 months ago

Hi Allen and thanks for this research.

Many people wonder why the Asians are so hooked on herbs and everything traditional, but after reading this report I really come to understand.

Thanks and I look forward to reading more of this kind of hubs.

Pamela99 profile image

Pamela99 Level 7 Commenter 17 months ago

I have drank green tea daily for quite a long time but I didn't know all the facts you presented. The hub is very thorough.

rwelton profile image

rwelton Level 3 Commenter 17 months ago

Loved green tea - but can't have the caffeine. Good hub.

rw

birch2 17 months ago

Great post! I drink green tea every day and feel very good. I believe that green tea has a lot health benefits! I read some information about green tea benefits here: http://yourweightlosstea.com/weight_loss_tea_benef

Amber Allen profile image

Amber Allen Hub Author 17 months ago

Dear All

Thank you for your lovely comments, they are much appreciated.

Amber:)

vocalcoach profile image

vocalcoach Level 7 Commenter 17 months ago

An excellent hub on the benefits of Green Tea. I drink it everyday and have been for a few years. You point out the risks for some people too. A good thing to do. Here's to your health!

Amber Allen profile image

Amber Allen Hub Author 17 months ago

Hi Audrey

Thanks for visiting my Green Tea hub. I'm so glad you've already reaping the health benefits of drinking green tea and have been a green tea convert for a few years. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!

Amber:)

KoffeeKlatch Gals profile image

KoffeeKlatch Gals Level 6 Commenter 16 months ago

I love green tea and am thrilled to see that it is so healty for you. Great information and research. Rated up and useful. Bookmarked, too.

Amber Allen profile image

Amber Allen Hub Author 16 months ago

Thanks KKG. When any of my hubs are bookmarked I get an extra lift. Drinking more green tea was my New Year's resolution.

Amber:)

Rhonda Waits profile image

Rhonda Waits Level 2 Commenter 16 months ago

I love drinking green tea. I helps me feel better. It will always be at my house. Great hub.

Amber Allen profile image

Amber Allen Hub Author 16 months ago

Hi Rhonda

It is nice to meet you. I enjoy drinking green tea too and always have two or three varieties to chose from.

Amber:)

katrinasui profile image

katrinasui Level 3 Commenter 9 months ago

This is a wonderful lens about green tea benefits. I enjoyed it. Kindly have a look on my lens which is about benefits of green tea http://www.squidoo.com/what-are-the-health-benefit

wmseo profile image

wmseo 8 months ago

Nice hub with many usuful info, thanks

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