Does Green Tea Burn Fat?

The question of the day, "Does green tea burn fat?" is one of many being asked about EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. This is a polyphenol antioxidant which has a myriad of health benefits. It is very powerful, able to slow or even reverse certain signs of aging. Some people refer to it as a fountain of youth, while others call it the wonder drug.

As an anti-oxidant, green tea does seem to possess some prominent anti-aging and health benefits in people who don't eat enough coffee or tea each day. In addition to these well-known benefits, this beverage is supposed to increase one's metabolism and help break down fat. In a recent study conducted at the University of Paris, Le Cordon Bleu University, Dr. Michael Gruneborg, claimed that a chemical in green tea called ECGC stimulates the activity of thermogenesis, or the rate with which your body burns calories. The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

When you exercise, your heart pumps a lot of blood through your body, raising your metabolism. However, after working out, your body needs a little time to process the glucose before it gets eliminated as energy. This delay can be as much as 10 minutes. For this reason, drinking green tea help you burn more fat during your workout.

Another thing green tea helps with is weight loss. Various types of green tea have been shown to be very effective at suppressing the appetite. One study showed that drinking three cups of black tea daily was comparable to eating four doughnuts. But the effects were even better when the tea was steamed with various types of flavored milk.

Another thing green tea extract does to help with weight loss is lower your insulin sensitivity. In the past, scientists had thought that the fat burning effect came from increasing insulin sensitivity. By raising the sensitivity, the cells in your body would be able to use glucose more efficiently, resulting in less fat build-up. However, scientists have learned that the effect is actually the opposite: High levels of insulin cause the cells to use fat as their primary source of energy, regardless of whether they're in a state of starvation or full-fat survival mode. So, consuming green tea extract may actually help you lose weight by keeping your insulin sensitivity at an optimal level.

Another way to take advantage of green tea's fat loss benefits is to consume it in supplement form. You can get most of the caffeine you need by consuming two cups of green tea per day, as well as a pinch of fine sea salt. You don't have to drink the beverage cold. Many people like to refrigerate green tea to help it retain its flavor better. Just keep in mind that caffeine should not be consumed in excess, for it can be a diuretic and cause dehydration.

Of course, to get the maximum weight loss benefit, you should combine green tea with a high-fiber diet and regular physical activity. According to Dr. teaspoons, a teaspoon of polyphenols will help you burn about as much caffeine as three cups of coffee. And, polyphenols are considered to be important antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. They are also believed to promote longevity and slow down the aging process.

There are many reasons why green tea is great for you. The beverage can help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol level. It's also rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which help it with its weight loss capabilities. If you want to get the maximum benefit from the beverage, you should consume it in its regular form - tea.