Dec
07
Patricia Hammond asked:


For many centuries, green tea has been regarded as the drink of choice, not just for plain drinking, but also as herbal medicine, treatment for illnesses and for weight loss. Below are the different green tea extract benefit and the reasons why the beverage has enjoyed such reputation for over a long period time.

Several studies were done over the last few years to find out the component in green tea that makes it a powerful health drink. Researchers have discovered that the beneficial effects of green tea are attributed to the polyphenols, particularly the catechins, which make up 30 percent of the dry weight of green tea leaves.

Recent studies have shown that catechins are instrumental in one significant green tea extract benefit – weight loss promotion. Catechins in green tea extract affect metabolism in a number of ways: suppressing appetite, inhibiting intestinal lipases, decreasing fat absorption, increasing fat excretion, increasing uncoupling proteins, accelerating thermogenesis, and decreasing lipogenic enzymes. Due to its potential therapeutic advantages and its role in the promotion of weight loss, green tea extract has now become the subject of global studies.

Numerous studies suggest that one green tea extract benefit is its ability to increase metabolism and help burn fat more effectively. A study made a confirmation that when green tea and caffeine are combined, there is significant improvement in the efforts of a moderately obese individual who is trying to lose weight and maintain it. Several researchers believe that catechins are the main causes of the fat-burning effect of the herb.

According to one researcher, there are only a couple of ways to attain weight loss – reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure. Apparently, the compounds found in green tea are capable of giving a boost to the body’s normal metabolism rate, thereby providing a green tea extract benefit, particularly the weight loss advantage.

Other studies also say that an important body process involving losing weight is enhanced with the help of green tea. Because of the caffeine in green tea and green tea itself, the process of thermogenesis, which is also referred to as increased caloric expenditure, is said to increase by 28 percent to 77 percent, depending on dose. Caffeine alone did not yield significant results. One study has shown that the thermogenic effect caused by green tea extract may be a result of an interaction between its high concentrations of catechin-polyphenols together with caffeine.

A study on bladder cancer cell lines also outlined one more green tea extract benefit, which involves the anti-cancer properties of green tea. The study revealed that green tea extract shows promise in beating cancer. For the first time, the study was able to determine that green tea indeed targets cancer cells and leaves the healthy, normal cells alone. It has been shown in the study that the green tea extract benefit of destroying cancer cells inhibited the growth of an independent blood supply, which cancers develop so they can grow and spread. In the study, it was observed that green tea extract breaks up a process that’s important in permitting bladder cancer to invade and spread to different parts of the body.



Ron
Oct
19
Kathryn Oneill asked:


There’s recently been a LOT in the weight loss news concerning green tea.

Green tea’s weight loss effects have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew.

But just how does green tea help you lose weight? And does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you the real facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.

Advantages of Drinking Green Tea for Weight Loss:

1) Green tea revs up your metabolism

A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism ‘boost’).

The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

2) Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation

Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as al glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

3) Green tea may help reduce appetite

Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects of green tea.

4) Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.

We are a nation hooked on our java. Be it the regular double-cream, double-sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappucinno, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wreaking havoc on our waistlines.

If you want to save mega-calories in the morning but still get your caffeine fix, try substituting green tea for coffee. Or have a green tea in the afternoon instead of that 700 calorie mocha-chillate dream. You’ll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.

So there are 4 ways that green tea can help you with weight loss. But how much do you actually have to drink to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects?

Experts vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3 - 5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. Doing this can help you burn an extra 70 calories per day which amounts to 7 pounds per year. Pretty good for not exercising or cutting calories, right?

However, 3 - 5 cups can be a lot for some people, so you might also want to consider green tea extract, green tea pills or a green tea patch.

Disadvantages of Drinking Green Tea For Weight Loss:

#1) Green tea is not a magic bullet

While some people will tell you that green tea is the be-all-end-all for weight loss success, I think the keyword here is balance. You’re not going to eat 5000 calories a day, drink a cup of green tea and make it all go away - it just isn’t going to happen. A healthy diet and increased exercise will go a long way in helping you lose weight and keep it off.

#2) Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems

For some people that have heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, the caffeine in green tea may not be the best idea. If you’re worried about the caffeine from green tea, try taking green tea extract. Most green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea so you can still get the weight loss benefits without the caffeine.

If you think the caffeine may be a problem, make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea for weight loss. Also make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate, regulating your blood sugar, suppressing your appetite and giving you something else besides that high calorie, high sugar coffee beverage to drink in the morning. While it’s not the magic bullet, it can definitely give you a boost in weight loss and in your overall health!



Lester