Diet supplements have invaded the market today, promising to help you lose weight and provide results within days. If you look closely at the ingredients of these supplements, you will find that green tea is a common ingredient found among these products. Green tea and weight loss are said to go hand in hand, where green tea helps burn fat and boost metabolism. But how effective is green tea in promoting a healthy weight loss?
New frontier in weight loss
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that there is a correlation between green tea and weight loss. People who drink green tea or take green tea extracts have a faster metabolic rate and fat oxidation. One of the factors is that green tea has caffeine - an ingredient that can be used for weight loss. However, scientists have also discovered that the effects of green tea go way beyond that of the effects of its caffeine content.
diet programs that work, weight loss meal plans, diets for weight loss,
More than just caffeine
Experiments analyzing the effect of caffeine have revealed that caffeine alone is not enough to sufficiently affect metabolism and fax oxidation.
Meanwhile, regular intake of green tea has resulted in a 4% overall increase in 24-hour energy expenditure, allowing consumers to burn fat faster.
Other effects
Aside from a faster metabolism, green tea has other benefits:
1. Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation - the catechins in green tea help inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also function as a glucose regulator, preventing insulin spikes and making it perfect for diabetics.
2. Green tea may help reduce appetite - aside from boosting metabolism; green tea also makes you feel full throughout the day. In an experiment done at the University of Chicago, it was found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with green tea extracts developed the tendency to lose their appetites and has a 60% decrease in consumption.
When should green tea be taken?
Green tea and weight loss is best advised for those suffering from hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where your body slows its metabolic rate, thereby resulting in a faster weight gain. People suffering from hypothyroidism can drink green tea for weight loss and to help boost their metabolism.
Recommended dosage
In green tea and weight loss, there is a recommended amount of green tea you should intake to maximize its effects. However, experts vary when it comes to the recommended amount of green tea you should take. The general consensus though is to drink three to five cups of green tea per day.
Drinking this amount can help you burn up to 70 calories per day or 7 pounds per year.
For some, three to five cups may be a lot, so they can consider taking green tea extracts, green tea pills or a green tea patch.
Where to buy
Because of the tons of green tea products being sold in the market today, it may be hard to find the best and all-natural green tea for you to take. One effective solution would be to choose a reputable brand of organic green tea at a health food store or natural grocery, and start by taking a cup of tea every day. The natural, the better.
But if you cannot find a natural green tea, you can also take a green tea extract, in the form of a supplement.
Disadvantages
Despite of the studies conducted on green tea and weight loss, experts have also found that there are disadvantages when taking green tea for weight loss.
First, green tea should be not be viewed or used as the only path to weight loss. Green tea is not a magic bullet. Drinking alone will not help you lose weight. For efficient weight loss, green tea should be partnered with diet and exercise.
Balance is also important. Of course, you are not supposed to eat 5000 calories a day, drink a cup of green tea, and pray that the weight goes away. Green tea and weight loss should be healthy and practical at the same time.
Not for the faint of heart
If green tea and weight loss sounds too good to be true, you have to understand that drinking green tea does have its precautions. If you are suffering from heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, drinking green tea may not a great idea.
Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, green tea and weight loss may not be the best option for you. So, before heading to your local store and buying lots of green tea, consult your doctor first if green tea is okay for you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment