Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation used to make oolong and black teas. Green tea is not processed at all and it has virtually zero calories. According to one nutritionist, drinking green tea might be the key to losing weight.
There's not a magic number of daily green teas you must drink in order to reap its weight loss benefits. However, the expert suggested that "two or three cups generally seems like a good amount".
Nutritionist Donia Hilal said: "Green tea is healthy, full stop. You can’t really go wrong with leaves and water.
"However, it goes deeper than that, green tea is considered one of the healthiest drinks on the planet.
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Nutritionist names 'one of the healthiest drinks on the planet'
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"This is because it is teaming with antioxidants and other helpful plant compounds that have tons of potential benefits for our health – with weight loss being just one of them," she wrote for Holland & Barrett.
What makes green tea beneficial for weight loss is that it contains two "fat-burning compounds".
The nutritionist said: "Green tea is naturally rich in some really beneficial compounds for our bodies, the main two being caffeine and antioxidants."
EGCG is the main antioxidant in green tea and can keep the amount of norepinephrine in the body at a healthy level. Norepinephrine is a fat-burning hormone.
EGCGs also appear to have "anti-obesity effects". Studies have found that consuming green tea and green tea extracts may help to reduce body weight and fat, by increasing the body's metabolism and fat oxidization.
Other ways green tea may help with weight loss
- Gets fat cells moving
- Helps you work harder during exercise - and burn more fat
- Metabolises fat
- May limit food cravings
- Targets 'dangerous' visceral fat
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'Green tea is healthy, full stop. You can’t really go wrong with leaves and water'
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A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that in the case of obese men, EGCG has the potential to increase fat oxidization.
As for caffeine, this is a stimulant that helps burn body fat and improve exercise performance.
The nutritionist said: "This is a winning combo, as when you exercise, your body burns extra calories.
"The extra calorie burn combined with a healthy calorie-controlled diet is one of the best ways to shift stubborn excess fat."
The nutritionist advised that slimmers would benefit from two or three cups of green tea per day, although some studies suggest that less or more.
She explained that everyone's metabolism is different, just like their metabolisms and tolerance for caffeine, so individuals can just experiment and find an amount that works for them.
Those who do not enjoy the taste of green tea need not fear, as green tea supplements are also a good option.
Drinking green tea may also help reduce your risk of developing dementia.