Green tea is not just restricted to providing health benefits. If you drink green tea weight loss can happen.
Today many people are trying different methods to lose weight. There are fad diets, miracle cures, hassle free endeavours and so on. Whilst green tea is no miracle fix it it can help in a number of ways.
But how can you trust the claims of green tea as an aid for weight loss?
Well the research studies that have been completed reveal the effectiveness of green tea in weight loss programs.
In one study 38 Japanese men with similar BMI and waist measurements were divided into two groups. Only one group drank tea with a high portion of the green tea extract catechins.
After 12 weeks these men experienced a significant lowering of their weight, BMI, body fat mass and subcutaneous fat area. This study showed that a daily ingestion of the catechins found in green tea may be useful in combating weight gain.
photo credit: atomicjeep
In a second study, 10 Japanese men were randomly given a dose of the green tea extract catechins with caffeine or just caffeine or a placebo for 12 weeks. On the days they took the extract they expended more energy and burnt more calories than on the days they received the alternatives. The study concluded that the daily consumption of green tea might be useful in the prevention of obesity.
Extensive studies have also been carried on animals as well. In one study lab mice were divided into 5 groups and fed a high fat diet. For 15 weeks one group received green tea extract, another the same extract with exercise and the other groups received varying levels of exercise with no green tea. The results? Those taking the extract without exercise reduced their body weight gain by 47% but those receiving the extract and exercising recorded an amazing 89% reduction in their body weight gain.
Thus it appears that if you consume green tea weight loss will occur and is even more effective when combined with exercise.
In another study lab rats drank green tea instead of water for 3 weeks. The green tea reduced the animals’ fat tissue weight as well reducing cholesterol and fatty acid levels. Green appears to have a positive affect on fat burning and reducing cholesterol levels.
Another study on lab rats and mice involved giving them the most abundant green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in a pure form. The results caused the researchers to conclude that “dietary supplementation with EGCG should be considered as a valuable natural treatment option for obesity.”
These studies reveal that green tea is a safe and effective way to increase weight loss.