The Weight Loss Benefits of Green Tea

Though extensive research has been done espousing the weight loss benefits of green tea, much more research is needed to nail down exactly why. Any type of tea can be a complex blend of flavanoids, antioxidants, and other compounds. Because of this, breaking it down into its individual components and linking those components to specific health benefits is a rather monumental task. Also extensive is the research into how these components interact with one another and just how much tea needs to be consumed for optimum health benefits. That said, there's no question that adding this drink to your diet has many great health and weight loss benefits.

It is a very well established fact that drinking green tea has been associated with an increase in metabolic rate. How much the difference is depends on the size of the person and the amount of tea consumed. There are many recorded instances of the metabolism of individuals going up 4-5%. For smaller people this can add to 80-100 calories a day, while for larger people it can be even more. While this isn't an astoundingly high number, it does add up to one full pound of weight loss per month and a half. In addition, green tea is a particular tea that is rich in catechins, compounds that are linked to both a reduction in body fat and an overall reduction in cholesterol.

Though further research is needed to verify this, early indications suggest that another component of green tea's weight loss benefit is its ability to inhibit fatty acid synthase. While this might sound technical, basically fatty acid synthase is the body's process for converting excess glucose into fat cells. In addition to this, green tea has also been shown to having a regulatory effect on blood sugar, allowing the body to process carbohydrates more efficiently. This is always a good thing.

Also the subject to debate is whether dietary supplements with a green tea extract or drinking tea straight up is the better option for gaining the most health benefits. As of yet there has been no sign at all, or any research to suggest that drinking tea daily has any ill side effects, though those who are caffeine sensitive should be cautious. On the flip side, some dietary supplements and fat burners warn specifically to short periods of use. Use discretion and speak with your doctor before committing yourself to a supplement plan.
If all the health benefits of green tea seem to good to be true, well in part you're correct. This is an absolutely wonderful drink, but capitalizing on the full weight loss benefits of green tea requires a base line of an healthy, well-balanced diet and a regular exercise program.

If you would like to know more about green tea weight loss benefits please feel free to visit my online tea guide, or visit this article on the ultimate tea diet.
Thanks for reading!

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