Green Tea for Weight Loss
Green tea is obtained from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. It is a small tree that is cultivated in almost 30 countries. And, the green tea is consumed everywhere in the world. The credit for its worldwide cultivation and consumption goes to the innumerable health benefits that it carries. But, the one particular health benefit that instantly strikes the mind, whenever, we talk about green tea is its weight-loss potential. Today, it is widely discussed among the people, dieticians and nutritionists as a smart way to shed the useless body fat.
Ingredients
In various researches, conducted so far, it has been found that there are mainly three types of chemical compounds that make green tea a great weight-loss aid. These powerful ingredients with their positive effect on our health are listed below:
1) Catechins
Catechins are chemical compounds found in plants, also known as phytochemicals or secondary plant metabolites. They are antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-carcinogenic in nature. They are found in abundance in green tea. Out of these different forms of catechins, the Epigallocatechin gallate is the most powerful catechin that boosts the weight-loss potential of green tea. It increases the fat burning capacity of body that helps you burn more calories through any workout. Also, many researchers have found that the EGCG can lower the cholesterol level. Cholesterol is directly proportional to body weight. Low cholesterol level helps to reduce weight and increased cholesterol increases weight.
2) Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally-occurring chemical. It is one of the main ingredients of green tea. The properties of caffeine affect metabolic processes in a way that is quite effective for weight loss. It has thermogenic effect on our body that produces heat. Due to this effect our metabolism increases that causes more burning of calories and fat. According to scientists, it is also an effective diuretic that reduces water weight.
Another factor that makes caffeine an effective weight-loss aid is its ability to increase alertness and stamina. Being more alert and active you actively participate in your routine tasks and weight-loss workouts for longer duration. You require more energy and your body starts burning the excess body fat as a fuel.
3) Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid that is abundantly found in green tea. The relaxing effect of green tea is because of this amino acid. It also contributes in the weight-loss potential of green tea. According to a study, theanine promotes thermogenesis and fat oxidation (breakdown of fat) that aid in weight loss and prevents fat accumulation. Also, its relaxing effect calms the mind that protects from stress and anxiety thus reduces the chances of emotional overeating.
Dosage
According to various studies and researches, daily intake of 3-5 cups of green day that can provide you at least 250mg catechins in a day are enough for weight loss. And, to maintain or improve general health you may consume less.