Could Green Tea Help Weight Loss?

Green tea or camellia sinensis as it is called in its scientific terms, has been gaining a lot of popularity in the recent years.

It has been an Asian beverage for a long time but is fast becoming a part the rest of the world. Weight problems are widespread nowadays and green tea offers a glimmer of hope to someone struggling with obesity. So does it really help lose weight? The answer is yes if a steady progress in health is what was expected and no if you intend to lose 20 pounds each week.

The secret lies in a chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Polyphenols like these enhance the rate of metabolism which boosts weight loss. Green tea is prepared from fresh leaves rather than the fermented kind used in black tea. This causes a much higher polyphenol production rate in the range of around 30 %. EGCG works on the enzymes which form a part of our metabolism. It hastens theormogenesis or the generation of our body heat, as it oxidizes fat. This essentially burns down more calories than before. Studies have shown an estimated loss of about 75-80 calories per day. The rate at which this works varies from person to person, depending on weight. There are several other benefits from green tea which brings on the 'feel good' factor, similar to when you lose weight. The presence of catechin polyphenols in green tea controls the blood sugar level and inhibits fat storage in the body.

Apart from lowering the calories, there are some indirect benefits of green tea as well. It can be used as an alternative to the rich beverages like mocha, fulfilling our urge for caffeine while keeping the calories at bay. Steady consumption of green tea also checks those hunger pangs we are familiar with, which can destroy any diet plan. If you are serious about using tea in your daily life, try drinking two cups each day in the beginning and increase it to 4-6 cups as you get used to it. This does imply taking in a lot of caffeine so make sure to consult your doctor before starting out. However you should not expect this to replace exercise as a way for losing weight. To see the best results, regular workouts should be included in your routine.

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