Green Tea and weight control

Yes, green tea does help to reduce weight.

It is not however as magical as some web sites claim.

There are a number of studies investigating the relationship between green tea and weight loss.  A recent study looked into the effects of short term green tea consumption on a group of participants between the ages of 19–37. Participants did not change their usual diet and eating habits but were asked to consume 4 cups of green tea per day for 2 weeks.The study reported “consumption of green tea reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, body fat and body weight”. The results suggest a role for green tea in decreasing established potential cardiovascular risk factors.  This study also suggested that the reductions may be more pronounced in the overweight population where a significant proportion is at high risk of cardiovascular disease. ¹

Another study performed at Birmingham University showed that average fat oxidation rates were 17% higher after ingestion of green tea extract than after ingestion of a placebo.²

For more information see our Tea & Weight Loss page.

Tips:

• Make sure the green tea is of good quality and fresh
• Enjoy it. You do not need to add milk or sugar to green tea
• Try to drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day for a noticeable result

References:

1. Emad Al-Dujaili, Jon-Paul Bradley, Suzana Almoosawi & Lorna Fyfe (2009). "Effects of green tea consumption on blood pressure, total cholesterol, body weight and fat in healthy volunteers". Endocrine Abstracts 20: P470. http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0020/ea0020P470.htm.

2."Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans". Vol. 87, No. 3. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. March 2008. pp. 778–784. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/3/778. Retrieved 2008-10-25.