Why this specific beverage? All of the teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant contain catechins. However, there is a large difference in the amount of catechins within them and it is green tea which maintains the highest catechin content once it is processed for our use. It is this high catechin content which is believed to be the reason why it is the most efficient tea for aiding weight loss. Even better news is the fact that catechins are super antioxidants and this means that you not only lose weight by consuming them but you also help to keep your body a little healthier.
The first significant study on the effects of green tea and weight loss was conducted on a group of men and the results showed that belly fat did indeed reduce in the men who were given a rich infusion of green tea each day, compared with men who were given a lesser amount. Further studies are backing up the results of these early studies. The studies were done using men as the subjects but green tea is proving to reduce belly fat in the men and women who drink it on regular basis. This beverage does indeed encourage a loss of belly fat in individuals who consume about 690 mg of green tea catechins per day. This is the equivalent of about five cups daily. So to see weight loss results you would have to sip about 5 cups daily. An added bonus to this relaxing weight loss method is the fact that green tea is also loaded with antioxidants so without ever having to break a sweat you will be getting healthier as you lose weight.
It is the catechins within green tea which are believed to be responsible for this loss of belly fat. Drinking five cups of green tea per day may actually reduce the amount of belly fat that we carry around on us. Research studies says it is true. The results of a 12 week double blind study involving Japanese men who drank green tea over a twelve week period came to the startling conclusion that a daily consumption of green tea with 690 mg catechins for a twelve week period actually reduces body fat within the belly region.
These studies also showed that it was a combination of exercise and green tea which produced the greatest results. Note also that the caffeinated green tea worked better than the non caffeinated green tea for reducing belly fat in men who consumed it on a daily basis.
So if you want to lose a little of your extra belly fat in your next healthy weight loss program then you may want to include the addition of green tea into your diet plan. Put your feet up, sip a cup of green tea, and lose your belly fat while you do it.
But why did the men who participated in these studies lose belly fat? What makes green tea so much better for weight loss than other types? It is actually the catechins which are believed to help so tremendously in the reduction of belly fat in the men who participated in the study. Catechins are plant polyphenols or tannins. They are the ingredient that causes the bitter or tart taste in a strong cup of tea or a glass of wine.
Oxidation is why this beverage aides your bod in its ability to burn fat
Catechins are also powerful antioxidants which are extremely efficient in combining with the free radicals within the human body. In reducing the free radical activity within the body antioxidants can help to improve your health, and perhaps even your longevity. The catechins speed up your body's fat burning capability and they are extremely high in green tea. Associated with weight loss they are particularly noted for being beneficial in the loss of the all too difficult to lose belly fat.
Green Tea - 10-80
Chocolate - 46-61
Beans - 35-55
Black Tea - 6-50
Strawberries - 2-50
Red Raspberries - 2-48
Apples - 10-43
Red Wine - 8-30
Apricots - 10-25
Cherries - 5-22
Grapes - 3-17.5
Peaches - 5-14
Black tea is fermented during its drying process which causes much of the Catechin in it to be lost during its processing. Green tea is processed differently than black and because the leaves are not fermented during processing they successfully retain their high Catechin values. A cup contains approximately 28mg to 42mg of Catechin and it is estimated that approximately five cups of green tea consumed daily would be enough to achieve a noticeable weight loss after a three month period.
If you are a man attempting to lose a little of your excess belly fat or a woman with a little too much stomach fat poking out of your blue jeans, start sipping a nice hot cup of tea 5 times a day. You are still going to have to exercise a bit more to receive the ultimate affects of belly fat loss from green tea, but what the heck, it is definitely the perfect time to start. You can look like you do now three months from now, or you can create yourself a healthy weight loss program, and look a whole lot better three months from now. Pour yourself a nice hot cup of green tea and think it over.
*This soothing beverage also has antibacterial properties so you can use any left over tea as a natural product to clean dirty countertops.