Choice of Tea

Black, White or Green ?

scientists think green and white teas give a nutritional edge

Tea leaves come from Camellia sinensis a plant indigenous to China and India. Black tea goes through the most processing, and is oxidized for up to four hours. Green tea and white tea, which is made from the tender, young leaves of the tea plant before they turn color, is never allowed to oxidize after harvesting. Some scientists think that may give them a nutritional edge, since they may contain higher amounts of antioxidants. These substances help protect against cancer and appear to counteract the chronic inflammation that contributes to heart disease, arthritis and other chronic illness.

The study showed that people who drank a bottle of tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea. In addition, LDL “bad” cholesterol went down in the men who drank the green tea extract.

Researchers say the results indicate that substances found in green tea known as catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat.

Green Tea

The Skinny on Green Tea and Weight Loss

From a Oprah show, Dr Perricone said “Coffee has organic acids that raise your blood sugar, raise insulin. Insulin puts a lock on body fat. When you switch over to green tea, you get your caffeine, you’re all set, but you will drop your insulin levels and body fat will fall very rapidly. So 10 pounds in six weeks, I will guarantee it.” Now, a new study indicates that Dr Perricone may be right. While it may seem unusual to think of green tea as having weight loss properties, there now exists a green tea diet and many people swear by green tea extract as part of their weight loss program.

Green Tea Weight Loss Benefits –

It burns fat naturally and increases metabolism Green tea contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Drinking Japanese green tea regularly will increase your metabolism and help burn fat safely and naturally. Most studies documenting the health benefits of green tea have involved 3 to 10 cups per day.

Drinking Green Tea Can Facilitate Weight Loss By Affecting Glucose

Weight is gained as excess sugars and fats are stored in the body as fat cells. Green tea catechins can help prevent obesity by inhibiting the movement of glucose in fat cells. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been found to be especially effective. There is now good evidence that green tea catechins are related to reductions in body fat.

EGCG is a powerful antioxidant with positive qualities but a balanced diet and exercise, lots of it, are of paramount importance to any weight reduction program.