Using green tea to lose weight is not some sort of wild claim but is actually a genuine method that is backed up by a number of studies that provide strong evidence for green tea weight loss research. Scientists have found that there are two chemical components in green tea, catechins and caffeine, that help us to lose weight. Caffeine has a very small effect at raising our daily basal metabolic rate so that the body burns more energy/calories each day just to carry out its normal functions. However, catechins appear to have a much stronger effect than caffeine and when you add the two together you achieve the winning weight loss formula that is green tea!
One study conducted in China discovered just how powerful catechins are for helping us to lose weight, up and above that of caffeine, when combined with moderate exercise. In this study 107 subjects were split into two groups. One group was given a daily drink that contained 625mg of catechins and 39mg of caffeine and the other group were given a daily drink that contained just 39mg of caffeine without the catechins. The groups then performed 60 minutes of exercise 3 times a week for a period of 3 months with no change in their diets. Remarkably, the group given the drink containing catechins lost more belly fat by the end of the 3 months than the group just given a caffeine a drink!
Other research for green tea weight loss, this one conducted in Japan, has also found similar results. This study aimed to test the weight loss effects of different dosages of catechins upon obese people while instructing them to maintain their normal eating regimes and normal physical activity levels. 123 people where given a cup of green tea each day with added catechins bringing the total amount of catchin content to 583mg for a period of 3 months. At the end of the study, every single person lost weight and reduced their body fat index!
The second group of people were given a daily green tea that contained just 96mg of catechins. They also experienced weight loss but not to the degree of the group given 583mg of catechins each day.
These are just two of many studies that have found drinking green tea, or using green tea extract supplements, really dose help us to lose weight and burn fat.
