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Benefits Of Green Tea: Weight Loss, Antioxidants And Loose Leaf Teas
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Published: December 14, 2007
When examining the benefits associated with food and drink, it can prove to be a double-edge sword. With every pro, there seems to be a con. However, when it comes to green tea, the scale seems to be tipped in its favor. Many argue the benefits of green tea, all while ascertaining there are no negative consequences of the herbal beverage's ingestion.
With no formal statement made by the FDA regarding green tea, how can anyone be sure the perceived benefits outweigh the costs?
In China, green tea has been used for medicinal purposes since as far back as 5,000 years ago. Green tea leaves are steamed, not fermented as with other common types of tea. The lack of fermentation and slight oxidation helps to don green tea with the pseudonym 'true tea.' The minute oxidation process preserves the favorable antioxidants, namely epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Green tea is teeming with catechin polyphenols, and these antioxidants are presumed to be the main reasons why the brew is thought to be so beneficial to a person's health.
It has been rumored for years that green tea is the miracle beverage, curing ailments all across the spectrum. Some believe the tea has been shown to impede the spread and growth of cancerous cells in the body. Others claim the benefits of green tea include curing arthritis, depression and cardiovascular problems. Alternate research even suggests the tea prevents tooth decay by killing the plaque-causing bacteria, one positive aspect to smile about.
Most of these cure-alls take root in green tea's ability to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals cause tissue and cell damage within the body, which can be detrimental to a person's health. However, antioxidants seek out the free radicals and counteract them, freeing the body of these toxins. Green tea works much in this manner. The high levels of EGCG are said to neutralize free radicals in body; some people say even going as far as preventing heart disease in heavy smokers.
However, the most commonly touted benefits of green tea tend to be those regarding weight loss. It is believed to boost the rate of metabolism and help the body to more effectively burn fat. Green tea is most successful in this pursuit among overweight and obese people, regarding the loss of fat and maintenance of weight. Most of the research done on green tea and weight loss attribute the advantageous aspects to the high level of polyphenols, or EGCG. However, many are left wondering just how much green tea need be consumed to lose weight.
Exactly how much green tea should be ingested to boost the metabolism and burn fat is still up for debate. Yet most researchers and specialists agree positive impacts on the metabolic rate are seen after consuming three to five cups per day. Each eight-ounce cup should contain one tea bag or one to two teaspoons of loose leaf tea. The tea should steep for two to three minutes, and if not using loose leaf tea, the tea bag should be removed. Each resulting cup contains 195 milligrams of EGCG, the highest amount of EGCG found in any other tea. After drinking five, eight-ounce cups of green tea, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported a four percent metabolic rate increase and increased levels of fat oxidation. Five cups seems easy enough, right?
Using these figures, drinking five cups of green tea a day results in the burning of approximately 70 calories per day. These burned calories translate into weight loss of seven pounds per year. Without changing the diet or adding exercise, these results seem relatively miraculous. However, when considering the ingestion and absorption of 300 milligrams of caffeine a day, this may leave some feeling a bit edgy.
The amount of caffeine associated with the regular consumption of green tea is what leaves most critics cold about the warm beverage. The amount of caffeine in green tea is three times the amount in eight ounces of coffee. Excessive caffeine intake can cause irritability, headaches, nausea and heart palpitations. So although dropping a few pounds is prime to occur, tea drinkers may feel more of a jolt than from their normal morning coffee. For those with heart problems or who are pregnant, it is recommended to avoid high amounts of caffeine.
However, for the rest of tea consumers everywhere, it appears as though it is a green light. Green tea may have a substantial amount of caffeine, but the possible benefits outweigh this side effect. Though there has been no official FDA standing on its use, many live by the tea's positive affects on health in general. It should be remembered that green tea is not a magic bullet, nor is any other quick fix, weight loss method. Conversely, those who enjoy the taste of green tea should revel in the beneficial qualities it possesses. No harm, no foul. And if a couple of pounds fall by the wayside while enjoying green tea, in addition to the caffeine, it is just an added perk.
Sources:
"Green Tea." Wikipedia. 1 Oct. 2007. 2 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea.
Parkinson, Rhonda. "The Miracle of Green Tea." About.com: Chinese Cuisuine. 2007. About, Inc. 2 Oct. 2007. http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa0114 00a.htm.
"Real Tea Check." Salada. 2006. Redco Foods, Inc. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.greentea.com/tyh_antioxidants.asp.
"Green Tea." University of Maryland Medical Center. 2007. UMMC. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-00025 5.htm.
O'Neill, Kathryn. "Green Tea Boost Metabolic Weight Loss." Colonhealth.net. 2007. The Colon Therapists Network. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.colonhealth.net/weight_loss/Green_Tea_I ncreases_Metabolic_Weight_Loss.html.
In China, green tea has been used for medicinal purposes since as far back as 5,000 years ago. Green tea leaves are steamed, not fermented as with other common types of tea. The lack of fermentation and slight oxidation helps to don green tea with the pseudonym 'true tea.' The minute oxidation process preserves the favorable antioxidants, namely epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Green tea is teeming with catechin polyphenols, and these antioxidants are presumed to be the main reasons why the brew is thought to be so beneficial to a person's health.
It has been rumored for years that green tea is the miracle beverage, curing ailments all across the spectrum. Some believe the tea has been shown to impede the spread and growth of cancerous cells in the body. Others claim the benefits of green tea include curing arthritis, depression and cardiovascular problems. Alternate research even suggests the tea prevents tooth decay by killing the plaque-causing bacteria, one positive aspect to smile about.
Most of these cure-alls take root in green tea's ability to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals cause tissue and cell damage within the body, which can be detrimental to a person's health. However, antioxidants seek out the free radicals and counteract them, freeing the body of these toxins. Green tea works much in this manner. The high levels of EGCG are said to neutralize free radicals in body; some people say even going as far as preventing heart disease in heavy smokers.
However, the most commonly touted benefits of green tea tend to be those regarding weight loss. It is believed to boost the rate of metabolism and help the body to more effectively burn fat. Green tea is most successful in this pursuit among overweight and obese people, regarding the loss of fat and maintenance of weight. Most of the research done on green tea and weight loss attribute the advantageous aspects to the high level of polyphenols, or EGCG. However, many are left wondering just how much green tea need be consumed to lose weight.
Exactly how much green tea should be ingested to boost the metabolism and burn fat is still up for debate. Yet most researchers and specialists agree positive impacts on the metabolic rate are seen after consuming three to five cups per day. Each eight-ounce cup should contain one tea bag or one to two teaspoons of loose leaf tea. The tea should steep for two to three minutes, and if not using loose leaf tea, the tea bag should be removed. Each resulting cup contains 195 milligrams of EGCG, the highest amount of EGCG found in any other tea. After drinking five, eight-ounce cups of green tea, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported a four percent metabolic rate increase and increased levels of fat oxidation. Five cups seems easy enough, right?
Using these figures, drinking five cups of green tea a day results in the burning of approximately 70 calories per day. These burned calories translate into weight loss of seven pounds per year. Without changing the diet or adding exercise, these results seem relatively miraculous. However, when considering the ingestion and absorption of 300 milligrams of caffeine a day, this may leave some feeling a bit edgy.
The amount of caffeine associated with the regular consumption of green tea is what leaves most critics cold about the warm beverage. The amount of caffeine in green tea is three times the amount in eight ounces of coffee. Excessive caffeine intake can cause irritability, headaches, nausea and heart palpitations. So although dropping a few pounds is prime to occur, tea drinkers may feel more of a jolt than from their normal morning coffee. For those with heart problems or who are pregnant, it is recommended to avoid high amounts of caffeine.
However, for the rest of tea consumers everywhere, it appears as though it is a green light. Green tea may have a substantial amount of caffeine, but the possible benefits outweigh this side effect. Though there has been no official FDA standing on its use, many live by the tea's positive affects on health in general. It should be remembered that green tea is not a magic bullet, nor is any other quick fix, weight loss method. Conversely, those who enjoy the taste of green tea should revel in the beneficial qualities it possesses. No harm, no foul. And if a couple of pounds fall by the wayside while enjoying green tea, in addition to the caffeine, it is just an added perk.
Sources:
"Green Tea." Wikipedia. 1 Oct. 2007. 2 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea.
Parkinson, Rhonda. "The Miracle of Green Tea." About.com: Chinese Cuisuine. 2007. About, Inc. 2 Oct. 2007. http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa0114 00a.htm.
"Real Tea Check." Salada. 2006. Redco Foods, Inc. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.greentea.com/tyh_antioxidants.asp.
"Green Tea." University of Maryland Medical Center. 2007. UMMC. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-00025 5.htm.
O'Neill, Kathryn. "Green Tea Boost Metabolic Weight Loss." Colonhealth.net. 2007. The Colon Therapists Network. 2 Oct. 2007. http://www.colonhealth.net/weight_loss/Green_Tea_I ncreases_Metabolic_Weight_Loss.html.
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