If you want to lose weight then you can’t avoid hearing about how good green tea is for you. But is there any truth to all the hype?
As a matter of fact, there is. There have been a number of studies done on the effects that green tea consumption has on weight loss. Here’s a guide to the facts you need to know.
Studies on Green Tea & Weight Loss
In one study involving 132 participants, it was found that those in the control group lost less weight compared to the participants who were given a beverage containing high amounts of the main active compound of green tea called catechin.
In the same study, participants drinking the catechin-rich beverage lost more abdominal fat as well. However, in this study, participants were also asked to partake in more than 3 hours of exercise a week as part of the study, which only shows that green tea accelerates weight loss in those who are physically active.
There have also been other studies that show that green tea consumption on a regular basis can boost metabolism and help the body burn up to 100 extra calories a day. It is also thought that the catechin in green tea can help improve endurance during exercise, making it easier to get more from your workout.
How Green Tea Can Help You
Because of these studies, it is safe to say that it’s likely that if you drink a few cups of green tea a day, you may help speed up your weight loss. However, this does not mean that green tea is a magic drink that gives you a free pass to eat whatever you want. A 100-calorie deficit is not a lot, and overeating will only result in weight gain, not weight loss.
The best way to use green tea to help your weight loss is therefore to use it as a supplement to a low-calorie diet and frequent exercise.
Green tea is not just a weight loss tool; it has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and can also be a great aid in relaxation. If you are going to drink it frequently though, be sure to not drink it too close to bedtime; some people are sensitive even to small amounts of caffeine and this can result in insomnia.
Other than this, there are no side effects to the consumption of green tea and you can take in as much as you want of this almost zero-calorie beverage.
