Green Tea Weight Loss. What You Dont Know

Green tea, is derived from the leaves of a plant called camellia sinensis. Green tea is originally from the east, including China and Japan, although in more recent years has begun to spread and increase in popularity in the west, where typically only darker teas have been consumed.

The difference between green tea and other types of tea is the way in which they are processed after the leaves have been harvested. Other types of tea leaves are bruised or fermented, whereas green tea has neither done to it. Green tea leaves are only dried before being prepared for shipment or steeping. This leaves green tea with the highest amount of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants within the body.

A polyphenol, for simplicity sake, is a chemical substance that is found in plants.

Well, some of these polyphenols are also called catechins, or antioxidant plant metabolites. More specifically, there are some catechins within tea, and green tea in particular, called EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallates.

This compound (EGCG) seems to have a thermogenic effect on the body, increasing metabolism and making the body burn more calories and fat while even at rest.

EGCG found in green tea is also known to protect the body from harmful oxidants (as an antioxidant) by linking to, and rendering harmless, these free radicals. This has the added effect of protecting skin from UV radiation radicals, as well as the heart and arteries.

Although unproven, the compounds in green tea are also thought to reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

2 or 3 cups of green tea daily will provide between 200mg and 350mg of polyphenols which should be adequate to realise the benefits.

Alternatively, 300mg to 400mg of standardized green tea extract should be an equivalent dose.

Always consult your doctor before beginning any supplements, and always be aware of possible side effects. As green tea contains a decent amount of caffeine, drinking too much can have side effects such as irritability, insomnia, and shaking.