Obesity is a growing problem in the developing world affecting both adults and children which is why green tea weight loss opportunities are being highlighted. The rate of obesity has been steadily increasing over the twenty years and now stands at over 30% in the USA and 23% in the UK. Alongside the increase in obesity is an increase in the number of chronic ailments and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart and liver disease with little indication that this is slowing down.
As a result of this increasing problem, people are always looking for opportunities to lead a more healthy lifestyle, consuming food and beverage which is health promoting.
Green Tea Weight Loss Approach
A Green tea weight loss approach is thought to help as green tea contains three major compounds which are understood to aid fat reduction, these are catechins, caffeine and theanine. Green tea is generally steamed or pan-fried, thus retaining a large percentage of catechins, of these catechins, epigallocatechin (ECGC) is understood to be the prime contributor to weight loss.
Although the exact link between green tea and weight loss has not yet been fully established, scientists believe that ECGC may increase energy metabolism and fat oxidation, inhibit fat cell development, and reduce lipid absorption. This is where caffeine plays its part by stimulating the nervous system and scientists have noted that it is this stimulation which supports ECGC in its fat burning effect.
What Studies Have Shown about Green Tea and Weight Loss
There have been many studies into green tea and weight loss some of which are undertaken on mice and some human studies. In the Jan-2004 issue of In Vivo a study reported that mice given diets of 2% green tea powder for sixteen weeks, had a 76.8% reduction in visceral fat compared to those in a control group. In Jan-2005, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition detailed a human study which highlighted that green tea was able to reduce body fat and also damage to LDL cholesterol. In a 12 week trial of normal-to-overweight men in Tokyo, they were each given a bottle of green tea to drink each day, and following the 12 week period had a significantly lower body weight (BMI) compared to men given a bottle of oolong tea each day.
Another study in the Nutrition Journal indicated that green tea may also improve post-mean satiety, where subjects reported feelings of fullness and having had enough to eat, thus showing a further link between green tea and weight loss.
How Many Cups Should I drink for Green Tea Weight Loss
Reports of the number of cups a day required for green tea weight loss seem to vary from differing reports, some seem to suggest 3 − 10 and others 6 − 8. The exact volume in a cup appears to vary in different countries, a european teacup holds approximately 125-150ml and a typical Japanese cup only 100ml.
