Green Tea and weight control

Can green tea help to reduce weight?

Yes, green tea does help to reduce weight.

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

Researches into green tea and weight

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.