Green tea has become a popular drink in many cultures. Not only does it taste great, it also has amazing health benefits – including being an effective weapon in the “battle of the bulge” – the reduction of body fat. Green tea has been used medicinally in China for thousands of years, but only over the past few decades has it become more popular in the western world. When you learn about the health benefits of green tea it almost seems too good to be true, but most of the claims are verified by scientific studies.
The main benefit of green tea comes from antioxidants called “catechin polyphenols” that are reported to help safeguard the body against cancer, inflammation, and even help in lowering cholesterol and burning stored fat deposits. Green tea contains a catechin called “epigallocatechin gallate” (otherwise known as EGCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that has been studied extensively for its cancer-fighting ability, as well as its beneficial effect on other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and immune deficiencies.
These are undoubtedly great health benefits, but how exactly can green tea help with weight loss?
- Metabolism booster
Studies have shown that green tea can speed up your metabolism and help you burn more fat. This may be partially due to the caffeine content, but green tea also has thermogenic properties, which means your body generates heat (energy) when you ingest it, which means you burn more calories than you otherwise would have.
- Appetite suppressant
Green tea is also reported to help naturally reduce your appetite, possibly because it helps balance blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are out of balance, you feel hungry more often and experience random cravings for sweets. Worse, when your blood sugar is consistently high, your body keeps producing more insulin to process the sugar, and excess insulin production triggers your body to start storing fat.
These benefits and more make green tea a helpful part of any diet or healthy eating plan, but keep in mind that it alone probably won’t make you shed a lot of weight. Instead, see it as one more piece of the puzzle in your healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious foods, plenty of water, and regular exercise.
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