Green tea’s health benefits have been known in the East for centuries. Packed with antioxidants, green tea contains more than 4,000 of these compounds which help fight free radicals which can lead to heart disease and cancer. Green tea supplements can also be effective.
Green Tea and Weight Loss
Adding green tea to your diet may also benefit those wanting to lose weight. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that men who added green tea to their diet burned more calories than men given a similar drink without green tea. The effects of caffeine were also taken into consideration. One of the reasons for this is that green tea raises and speeds up oxidation which in turn helps with weight loss. It also contains high amounts of polyphenols which activate an enzyme which helps get rid of excess fat in the body.
Antioxidants in Green Tea
Green tea contains a very powerful group of antioxidant polyphenols called catechins. Many of green tea’s health benefits come from these. One particular catechin is epigallocatechin gallate which is thought to contribute to the cancer fighting effects of green tea. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published results of a study that showed drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer by nearly 60 percent. Another report from Harvard Medical School found that catechin in green tea inhibited the growth of cancer cells. It is now widely accepted that the antioxidants in green tea may help prevent cancer of the bladder, colon, pancreas, esophagus, rectum and stomach.
Green Tea and a Healthy Heart
Both green and black teas have cholesterol-lowering properties which keep the heart healthy. Studies reported in Circulation Journal on "effects of green tea intake on the development of coronary artery disease" found the more green tea patients consumed, the less likely they were to suffer from heart disease.
Green Tea Supplements
Taking green tea in supplement form may be effective as well. Many weight loss supplements contain extract of green tea. However, as a weight loss aid it may be a better idea to actually drink the tea rather than take it in supplement form. Studies have shown those drinking green tea are able to control their appetites better and it also helps keep the body well hydrated. Experts suggest four cups of green tea a day will give maximum benefit. This equates to roughly three capsules of green tea extract. A standard 500mg capsule should contain 275mg EGCG which is the term used for the catechins that are isolated, dried and put into capsules or tablets or made into a liquid.
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