Numerous studies, experiments, and people have attested to the amazing powers of green tea and I am one of them. As if it has not been said enough, green tea is one of the healthiest, if not the healthiest beverage we easily have access to. It is readily available almost everywhere - your favorite supermarket, drug store, convenience store, you name it.
Green tea is considered to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet because it is brimming with antioxidants and various substances that bring numerous benefits to our bodies and health. It comes in different varieties, but all of them comes from the same plant called Camellia sinensis.
Green tea is said to help increase fat burn, thus helping us lose weight. Today, we are going to examine how green tea works to help us on our fitness journey.
Green tea is more than just flavored water. If you ask me, I wouldn’t be drinking it just for its flavor. By steeping green tea leaves in boiling water, its bioactive compounds are absorbed. Green tea is rich with anti-inflammatory and detoxifying compounds. However, the most potent antioxidant it contains is called catechins, specifically Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is the main antioxidant found in green tea. This signals the fat cells to break down fat. Because of this, EGCG has powerful effects on our metabolism. And if it increases our metabolism, it only means that it also gives a boost to our energy. That is why green tea is almost always present in every commercial weight loss and fat burning supplement. This is especially effective when you regularly drink green tea and exercise. Green tea is also known to contain flavonoids and caffeine. These can also help elevate our metabolic rate by increasing fat oxidation and improving blood sugar activity.
Apart from its weight loss benefits, green tea is also known to be rich in Vitamin B, folate, and magnesium. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. It can also aid in addressing inflammation in people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. Controlling blood sugar levels is also a known health benefit brought about by drinking green tea.
The recommended amount of green tea you should drink in order to enjoy green tea’s weight loss benefits is 2 to 3 cups per day. Each cup of green tea contains 200 milligrams of catechins. However, since it still contains caffeine, you might want to seek your physician’s advice if you have a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, and even anxiety as it may interact with certain medications.
Just like other weight loss supplements, green tea is not your one-drink-cure-all drug. You still need to be disciplined in order for it to work and for you to see results - exercise regularly and eat healthy. These two are still the most effective ways to burn fat. You can drink gallons and gallons of green tea, but if you still eat junk, nothing will happen. So, eat right and get moving!