green-tea-fat-burner

So green tea is the new magic supplement that’s going to work miracles on the human body. The way some of these diet pills throw out claims, you’d think that green tea is the cure for obesity, world hunger, cancer and a catalyst for world peace. I’m exaggerating of course, but there are a lot of claims about green tea that really aren’t true, and are exaggerations themselves. Bottom line here: does green tea work?  The simple answer to that is yes.  There is enough scientific research available to back up that claim. Unfortunately, here in the real world the answer isn’t that simple. Green tea can help people lose weight but just how much weight depends on a myriad of factors. Those could include factors like the basic DNA make-up of your body, to the right dosage of green tea introduced into the body.

A Broad Overview of Green Tea

Green tea is made with leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis and has been used for thousands of years by many cultures in Asia and Japan.  Recently it made it’s way out west where it was discovered that it has numerous health benefits including appetite suppression, weight loss, and could aid in the prevention of heart disease and bad cholesterol.

Green tea is rich with high concentrations of a polyphenol called Catechin. These catechin polyphenols have the ability to kick start the metabolism, thus increasing the caloric rate burned.  One study showed that drinking 3- 5 cups of green tea would increase one’s metabolism by 4%, which translates to about 7 pounds per year without lifting a finger. I don’t want to sound like a salesman there, and I’m not sure how accurate those numbers would apply for everyone, but the study illustrates how green tea can increase the body’s metabolic rate.

We also mentioned it can act as an appetite suppressant.  According to a study done by the University of Chicago, rats they injected with green tea had their appetites decrease by as much as 60% compared to those not injected with it.  This might be the most effective use of green team in severely overweight people.  An effective appetite suppressant can help curb hunger pains in individuals who have a harder time controlling their appetites.

Are there Negative Side Effects to Green Tea?

Most of the research shows there aren’t any negative side effects.  But make note that green tea does contain caffeine, and if don’t do well with a stimulant such as caffeine, you may want to look elsewhere.

The Bad

  • May cause side effects associated with caffeine
  • Many claims about green tea are misleading

The Good

  • Aid in weight loss
  • Could lower cholesterol
  • Increase thermogenisis (the rate at which your body burns calories)
  • No serious side effects
  • Can be taken in various forms
  • A more natural way to help a dieter lose weight

The way we see it

Green tea has its benefits. The multiple studies performed on green tea prove that it can aid in weight loss by increasing one thermogenisis, regulating blood sugar levels and even acting as an appetite suppressant—and those are just the benefits with weight loss. But let’s keep it in perspective, green tea is not a miracle supplement, but it is a nice addition to a weight loss diet.