Tea consumption has been traced back over 5,000 years to the ancient Chinese. The medicinal properties of green tea were evident to humans early on. It was used to aid in controlling body temperature, bleeding, stabilizing blood sugar levels and to improve digestion. These qualities helped it spread in popularity throughout Eastern culture.
It was black tea that swept through Europe and subsequently became the tea of choice for Western culture. Black, white. oolong and green teas all come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). When Europeans began to trade for tea with Asia black tea was developed because it could be transported further while remaining fresh. Black tea is fermented where as green tea is not. Green tea leaves are withered and steamed after they are picked and therefore retain a more natural color.
How can green tea help you?
Antioxidant
Black, white, oolong and green teas all contain high levels of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant. Green tea contains the highest levels because of the different processing method. Polyphenols locate and detox free radicals in the body. Free radicals may be related to the causes of Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and the aging process.
Read More:
WebMD [Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea]
Wikipedia [Free Radicals]
Weight Loss
This is what we really care about, right? Well a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that Green tea increases fat oxidation and metabolism.
Green tea contains Catechins, a type of polyphenol that comprises 30% of the dry weight in green tea. EGCG makes up 65% of the catechins in green tea averaging out to 100-200mg per cup.
Catechins can help with weight loss by influencing the metabolism. They have been shown to:
- Suppress your appetite
- Decrease fat absorption
- Increase fat excretion
- Increase uncoupling of proteins
- Increase thermogenesis
- Decrease lipogenic enzymes
Read More:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition [Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans]
Phillip England [Green Tea Weight Loss Study]
Other Claims
(Much less substantiated)
- Cancer fighting agents
- Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis
- Lowers cholesterol
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Reduces risk of heart disease
Start Drinking
Drinking green tea can become part of your everyday routine. It can be served hot or cold without effecting the health benefits. Some suggest that drinking tea is better than just drinking water as tea actually has nutrient value.
Green Tea Supplements
The green tea supplement market has exploded in recent years. The internet is full of ads with highly questionable claims about the benefits of their products. Green tea supplements may contain up to 50 times the polyphenols of a brewed cup. If you choose to go this route be sure to discuss this with your doctor and seek feedback from reputable forums.
After reading this post and the articles linked within it you are probably ready to get out there and get some green tea of your own. While the research has not shown overwhelming evidence that green tea will help you lose large amounts of weight the evidence is there that it can help. The addition of green tea to your weight loss and exercise plan could show additional results.
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