Does diet tea work?
(Green tea helps burn Fat)
by the Pulse Magazine team
Green tea is considered to be one of the healthiest beverages as it's loaded with antioxidants and various essential substances, it offers a myriad of health benefits, including weight loss.
Green tea is therefore much more than just hot, flavoured water. Most green teas contain a variety of compounds that increase fat burning , a process called thermogenesis. This burning away of fat, found as heat in the body, helps you to lose weight. If you're trying to improve your health or drop a few pounds, make a habit of drinking this super drink everyday.
Green tea boosts metabolism
Several studies have suggested that the flavonoids and caffeine in green tea can help elevate metabolic rate, which in turn supports weight loss. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a substance in green tea is also well known for its metabolism boosting properties.
Green tea helps mobilise fat from fat cells
Again EGCG, the main antioxidant in tea, can help increase levels of hormones that tell fat cells to break down fat. The truth is that fat from from cells must first be broken down and moved into the bloodstream in order to burn fat. And the active compounds in green tea aid in this process.
Increases fat burning, particularly during exercise
Studies have shown that men who took green tea extract and exercised burned 17% more fat than their counterparts who didn't take the supplement. This study suggests that the fat burning effect of green tea is even stronger when exercising.
Reduces appetite
While research looking at the effects of green tea on appetite showed conflicting results, some studies in animals suggest that green tea may reduce the absorption of fat from the diet.
Fights abdominal fat
The fact is that shedding visceral fat is the most difficult thing for most dieters. But green tea is found to be particularly good at burning belly fat, a harmful kind of fat linked to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cancer, etc.
Be aware that many green teas contain polyphenols, which may affect the way certain medicines work; its always best to consult a nutritionist or your doctor before embarking on a rigid course of tea consumption.