Green tea is a natural health drink, probably one of the healthiest on the planet. The magic of green tea lies in its many health benefits and weight loss is one of them.
The Science Behind Green Tea’s Weight Loss Claims
Including natural green tea in your regular diet can make you lose weight. This is primarily because of the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — a weight-busting antioxidant found in the drink.
It is clinically proven that green tea can suppress lipolysis, a process that breaks down triglycerides (dietary fats) in the body.
The breakdown of dietary fats prevents the absorption of fat, ensuring that you don’t put on much weight. Furthermore, the catechins present in green tea also restrains the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which boosts metabolism and speeds up the calorie burning process.
However, to get the amount of caffeine and catechins required for weight loss, you’d need to drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea daily, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
How to Brew the ‘Magic’ Drink to Lose Weight
Long leaf green tea is often believed to achieve better results compared to tea bags. And if you have the time, it’s always a great idea to brew a fresh batch. Pouring hot water directly over the leaves and letting it steep for a while can help extract the ‘real goodness’ of green tea.
But if you are pressed for time, using green tea bags can be a good alternative. In fact, tea bags are great for people on the go. You can make a cup of soothing green tea practically anywhere.
No matter in what way you prefer to brew your green tea, make sure to sip 2-3 cups if you want to shrink your waistline.
Other Benefits of Going Green
Green tea’s history can be traced back to several centuries in traditional Indian ‘Ayurveda’ and Chinese medicines. The drink, in ancient times, was used to heal wounds, reduce blood sugar, boost heart health, and to improve the overall mental function and digestion.
However, it’s not just a matter of tradition though, as the presence of antioxidants in green tea has a substantial scientific grounding backed by intensive research. The antioxidants found in green tea are almost 100 times more potent than vitamin C, combined with ingredients that reduce cholesterol, and provide protection against viral infections, gum disease, diabetes, heart issues, and even cancer.
The super-drink also counters the toxic effects of smoking and helps soothe the nervous system by lowering the levels of stress hormones, Cortisol and Epinephrine.
So if you’re looking to shed those extra pounds, make green tea a part of your regular diet besides maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits.