There is no doubt that Indians are tea lovers. Today, the range of teas available goes far beyond chai masala made in the traditional Indian style.
Green tea is today the healthiest and most widespread variant of them. As the name suggests, this tea is green in color and has a soothing, earthy taste. Additionally, green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which offer many potential health benefits, including weight loss.
Many of us turn to green tea in hopes of weight loss. But does green tea actually help with weight loss? Does it work for everyone? Keep reading to learn more about green tea and weight loss.
Green Tea – An Overview
Many types of tea come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The three most common are green, black and oolong tea. Green tea is made from steamed, pan-fried and dried leaves.
This minimal processing preserves more antioxidants and nutrients. Green tea does not undergo the fermentation process that black tea and oolong tea undergo.
Green tea has many benefits that go beyond being a sugar-free beverage. For example, green tea can help with weight loss when part of a balanced diet and exercise routine.
Additionally, green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can improve immunity, boost memory, and prevent lifestyle-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Therefore, green tea is a great tea to drink. for your health.
Green Tea for Weight Loss – The Positive Connection
Green tea is famous for weight loss because it boosts metabolism. Metabolism is the rate at which your body converts food into energy or the number of calories your body burns. Therefore, the faster the metabolism, the faster you burn fat.
Additionally, green tea contains caffeine and a flavonoid called catechins. Studies suggest that the caffeine and catechins in green tea may boost metabolism and promote fat loss, resulting in modest weight loss.
EGCG, the main antioxidant in green tea, has anti-obesity properties. Analytic surveys have proven that EGCGs maintain healthy fat burning hormones like norepinephrine levels, allowing your body to break down and release more fat into your bloodstream for energy.
Green tea might also give you a caffeine boost. Caffeine is a stimulant that helps you wake up before you work out, activating your nervous system and helping you exercise a little better.
The caffeine boost in green tea gives you energy to exercise and improves gym workout performance, allowing you to burn more fat during exercise. However, do not drink too much green tea as high doses of caffeine lead to unwanted side effects.
A cup of unsweetened brewed green tea contains less than 2.45 calories. Although green tea has beneficial effects on weight loss, nutritionists note that it does not replace fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats.
To safely and effectively eliminate stubborn excess fat, drink a few cups of green tea and combine it with exercise and a healthy calorie-controlled diet.
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Experienced nutritionists claim that green tea can help elevate metabolic rate, which helps burn fat only when combined with a healthy weight loss strategy. Since green tea has a small but positive impact on weight management, you may need 2-3 cups or more per day to see significant results.
How to use green tea for weight loss
- Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea or swapping all your hot sugary beverages for green tea provides a total wellness boost for the body. However, the amount of green tea needed also varies from person to person.
- Knowing how to brew green tea accurately is necessary to reap its benefits. Avoid overheating water as overboiling can destroy catechins. Boiling water, followed by a 10 minute rest period, enhances its effectiveness. After that, pour it over the tea leaves, steep for 1-2 minutes, and then remove the leaves.
- The best time to drink green tea is early in the morning or in the evening. However, since it is high in caffeine, people with sleep issues should drink green tea in the morning or during the day rather than right before bed.
- Pure, plain green tea leaves that are minimally processed are the best kind for helping people lose weight. It contains the highest amount of active ingredients (catechins and caffeine) which help in weight loss. Additionally, there are different flavors of green tea available. However, if the flavor contains sugar, it may have a higher calorie count than unflavored teas. Always choose brands that contain only natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives.
- Avoid adding sugar as this will increase the total number of calories. Remember that the quantity and quality of the drink makes a difference in your weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Green tea is a healthy drink that can help with weight loss, but it’s not a magic bullet.
Pair green tea with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise routine for long-lasting results. Everyone is different, you may need to consult an expert nutritionist or experiment to find out how many cups of green tea are right for you.