You probably don’t need reminding that green tea benefits you, but did you know that it can also facilitate your weight loss efforts?

Many think of green tea as the ultimate anti-aging beverage. Indeed, the Japanese associate it with longevity. If you want to shed a few pounds, you’ll want to know more about the effects of green tea on weight loss.

What is Green Tea?

Green tea, like its Black and Oolong cousins, comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. It is a small tree native to South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Farmers harvest the green leaves for tea production. The tea quality improves with their age. They also collect the seeds to produce tea oil, used by many for cooking.

Because its leaves aren’t fermented, they contain higher levels of antioxidants than others. These include polyphenols, catechins, and other flavonoids, the anti-aging compounds found in red wine, dark chocolate, and blueberries. According to research, they have more healing compounds than other herbs.

The Health Benefits of Green Tea

So, how does green tea promote better health? The Mayo Clinic summarized discoveries about this drink in 2008. The study pointed out several of its benefits, including its ability to improve bone density and memory. For a start, here are a few of its perks.

1. Protects the heart

First of all, green tea gives your heart health a boost. Controlled trials suggest that consuming Flavan-3-oils and anthocyanidin antioxidants get it pumping. It contains ten beta-blocking compounds, seven channels that block calcium, and 16 diuretics. Like other plant foods, it has ACE inhibiting properties.

2. Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease

According to a 2004 study by the University of Newcastle, it also prevents Alzheimer’s Disease. Their research showed that green and black tea halt the breakdown of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that enables memory. It also limits the production of enzymes like Buche and Beta-Secretase, which researchers have discovered in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

A study published in the April issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry pointed out that these protein plaques increase brain cell damage. Green tea, conversely, slowed them down. It reduced the number of cell-damaging free radicals in rats.

3. Green tea prevents free radicals from damaging brain cells

King’s College discovered that the flavonoid epicatechin, found in cocoa, blueberries, grapes, and, of course, green tea, protects the brain from harmful free radicals like beta-amyloid plaques.

4. Prevents Diabetes

Furthermore, the Flavan-3s and anthocyanidins in green tea enhance glycemic control and normalize blood sugar. It is anti-inflammatory, so it helps those who are at risk of Type-2 Diabetes.

5. Protects the bones

The University of Hong Kong discovered that green tea has a positive impact on bone health. Researchers exposed the bones of rats to green tea catechins. The ECG in these catechins triggered an enzyme that promotes bone growth. It increased bone mineralization and limited the cells that reabsorb bone.

6. Prevents eye disease

A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that catechins prevent oxidative damage in the eyes. Consequently, it stops vision loss. These catechins can transfer from the digestive tract to the eye tissue 20 hours after ingestion.



How Green Tea Benefits Weight Watchers

When you drink green tea, you expose yourself to a host of beneficial substances. Caffeine is one of the best known of these. Green tea doesn’t have as much of it as coffee but has enough to benefit the body. It is a stimulant that aids fat burning, according to studies.

Green tea breaks fat cells down and moves the composites into the bloodstream. It does so by enhancing the effects of fat-burning hormones like Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Green tea stands out among fat burners because it has an incredible range of antioxidants, mainly catechins. One of these is EGCG, which hastens metabolism. It limits the enzyme that breaks down Norepinephrine.

We need Norepinephrine to signal the nervous system to break down fat. Both caffeine and EGCG synergize to facilitate this process. Consequently, the body breaks down fat and releases it into the bloodstream. It becomes available as energy.

Possible Side Effects

There is no doubt that green tea has many health perks, but like everything else, moderation is key. You may experience its side effects if you take it in excessive amounts.

If you have diabetes, you may have erratic blood sugar levels if you consume too much of it. It can also worsen the effects of diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Don’t take it if you’re prone to anxiety disorders. You may experience the jitters. Green tea may also increase the incidences of bleeding for those who have bleeding disorders.

Furthermore, it’s not entirely good news for those who have heart conditions. It may increase palpitations, particularly when taken with other stimulants. The risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) is possible as well.

The Polyphenols in green tea are binding agents. They make it difficult to absorb nutrients. Also, pregnant women shouldn’t drink too much of it as it may affect their unborn babies.

Green Tea Recipes for Weight Loss

That said, it is an efficient weight loss aid. Here are a few recipes you may be interested in if you want a slender figure. They prove the point that a slimming beverage doesn’t have to be boring.

1. Green Tea Smoothies

Make a green tea smoothie. You can use your favorite fruits. Concoct delightful smoothie variations with Avocado, Asian Pears. Coconut, Cilantro, or Kale.

2. Green Tea Blueberry Muffins

Add a sprinkling of green tea powder when making muffins or pancakes. Follow this recipe to make a batch of mouthwatering muffins.

You will need:

  • Almond flour, 1/2 cup
  • Coconut flakes, one cup
  • A large, ripe banana
  • Coconut oil, four tsp
  • Three eggs
  • Goat’s milk, 1/2 milk
  • Vanilla extract, one Tsp
  • Sea Salt, one pinch
  • Two handfuls of berries
  • Two Tsp green tea powder
  • Ten dates

Preheat your oven to 400 Fahrenheit. Then, mix the dates in a blender. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the berries, and blend the mixture for another minute.

Mix the berries in, then pour the mixture into a muffin tin. Bake the muffins for about 15 minutes.

3. Green Tea Coconut Ice Cream

It makes an excellent addition to ice cream. For this recipe, you will need:

  • Three mangoes
  • Six egg yolks
  • Sea salt, 1/8 Tsp
  • Honey, 1/2 cup
  • Full-fat coconut milk, one can
  • 2 Tsp Green Tea Powder

Blend the coconut milk and mangoes. Then, add the sea salt, egg yolks, and honey. Mix further. Pour the mixture into an ice-cream maker and blend some more.

In all, green tea works for weight loss, though you shouldn’t take it in excess. The recipes above prove that it isn’t boring either.

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