There has been a lot of study done on green tea's health advantages as well as its adverse effects. The beverage's origins may be traced back to ancient China, where green tea was utilised for medical purposes. Green tea can improve cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and even raise your metabolism, assisting you in losing weight.
Can green tea aid in weight loss? Let's discuss the nutritional benefits of green tea, as well as how caffeine and catechins in green tea can aid in metabolism and weight reduction.
Green Tea
Green tea is a form of tea that is prepared from unfermented Camellia sinensis leaves. Caffeine and polyphenols are present. Plain green tea can be good to your health as a beverage. It contains antioxidants that may aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Our cells are subjected to "oxidative stress" throughout our lifetimes. This causes cell damage, which is a major contributor to illnesses that cause our bodies to deteriorate. Oxidative stress is caused by an abundance of free radicals, which harm cells and change DNA. Our bodies generate a modest quantity of free radicals through cellular metabolism, but we might be exposed to more through pollution or medicine.
Green tea polyphenols stimulate the formation of antioxidants, which fight oxidative stress. Green tea consumption also aids in the induction of autophagy, a process by which our bodies sweep away dead or damaged cells and regenerate healthier, new ones. Furthermore, green tea contains caffeine (in lower levels than coffee) and catechins, two bioactive components that can improve metabolism and assist in weight reduction.
Weight Loss
Some research has been conducted into the relationship between caffeine and metabolism. In one such study, researchers discovered that 8mg/kg of caffeine from coffee dramatically enhanced metabolic rate in the three hours following caffeine ingestion. Fat oxidation also increased significantly in the last hour of the test. A comparable rise was observed after 4mg/kg of caffeine. The study's findings revealed that caffeine consumption can boost metabolic rate and fat oxidation. One study found that ingesting 4 cups of green tea daily resulted in a drop in body weight and waist circumference in diabetes individuals. [5] Further research may reveal a relationship between drinking green tea and weight loss in those who are not diabetic.
Furthermore, green tea extract may improve fat metabolism both at rest and during exercise. The study did note, however, that the precise mechanisms by which green tea extract altered and boosted fat oxidation remain unknown.
Green tea has far more catechins than coffee or black tea. Catechins account for 30% of the dry weight of Camellia sinensis leaves, with epigallocatechin-3-gallate accounting for 65%. (EGCG). Green tea catechins alter metabolism by lowering fat absorption, increasing fat excretion, promoting thermogenesis, and suppressing hunger.
In lab studies with mice, researchers discovered that the test animals consumed much less food and gained significantly less weight. They also experienced decreased cholesterol levels. Meanwhile, a study of Chinese individuals found that a catechin-enriched green tea beverage caused significant weight and fat reduction. This study found a link between drinking green tea (which is high in catechins) and losing weight.
Finally, green tea components such as catechins and caffeine have been linked to weight control and weight loss. They enhance the body's energy expenditure, which accelerates fat oxidation and compensates for a fall in metabolic rate.
