Green Tea for Weight Loss

One of the most popular drinks discovered a few thousand years ago that regained its popularity in the recent years is green tea. Its extreme popularity is owed to an extraordinary amount of health benefits it has, most of which are proved through research. One can consider it as a wonder drink when its effects are observed over time, when coupled with exercise, especially over fat burning and weight loss.

Green tea contains two important ingredients which show benefits of fat burning and weight loss.

·       First one being the obvious component which exists in all tea leaf derivatives, caffeine. About 75mg of caffeine is present in a cup of green tea beverage, which is much less when compared to other tea or coffee derivates. This amount isn't insignificant as consuming a minimum of two cups of green tea can well produce a considerable amount of kick similar to coffee.

·       Second and the most important component which green tea has (and coffee lacks) are catechins.

There are four different types of catechins:

1. Epicatechin

2. Epicatechin Gallate

3. Epigallocatechin

4. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), the most important one

EGCG inhibits the degradation of catecholamines. Catecholamines are natural hormones which are involved in increasing muscle contraction and increasing blood supply. Hence, nutrients like glucose and fat fuel the supply to the muscles. EGCG indirectly results in stronger muscle contraction and fat break down, supplying fatty acids for energy production in the muscles.

EGCG when paired with caffeine will result in accelerated muscle contraction and fat break down. This is because caffeine stimulates the production of catecholamines.

EGCG are also known to decrease carbohydrate absorption by suppressing a glucose transporter protein called GLUT4. This effect is not very pronounced but worthy enough to sip on the beverage as the effect can result in evident results.

The effects of green tea are more pronounced when consumed empty stomach. It also depends on one's sensitivity to caffeine. EGCG may well not work to its potential for a person to whom caffeine is not effective in giving the expected kick due to long term consumption.

The fat burning effects of EGCG kicks in when it is consumed in amounts of about 400mg per day, this roughly makes nearly 6 to 8 cups per day. These many cups are not hard to drink in as it comprises mostly of water and can add up to the daily essential water intake per day which is not less than 4 litres.

Green Tea is indefinitely a wonder drink one can sip on to lose weight by burning fat when coupled with exercise.

References:

1. Suzuki Y., Miyoshi N. & Isemura M. Health-promoting effects of green tea. Proc. Jpn. Acad. Ser. B Phys. Biol. Sci. 88, 88–101 (2012)
2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121109084238.htm

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2871121/