Green tea, a natural aid for weight loss?
The benefits of green tea are widely publicized for several years! And this in several respects. Its consumption would have manyits virtues on the body and health. It is not uncommon to read that the sheets of green tea have a fat burning effect and action on weight loss. You almost believe that it would be enough to drink several cups of this beverage to lose weight. But when is it really? Does this popular drink really help you lose weight? Let's find out!
Do Antioxidants Play a Role in Weight Loss?
Several studies carried out by different organizations, including Harvard Medical School, have discovered that consuming green tea has several benefits for health, the body and metabolism. One of its strong points? Its richness in antioxidants and particularly in catechins.
Catechins are molecules from the flavonoid class (polyphenol family). Possessing antioxidant properties, these are present in very large quantities in green tea. Each tea has its own level of catechins. Indeed, just after picking, the green tea leaves are exposed to heat to stop their oxidation. This process preserves the catechins they contain and gives green tea its richness in antioxidants. Conversely, for black tea, oxidation is not interrupted and causes the tea leaves to darken, which at the same time leads to the transformation of catechins into other compounds.
This is why not all teas have the same richness in antioxidants. Here are the green teas that contain the most: Matcha, Sencha, Gyokuro, Bancha and Genmaicha.
Did you know that the level of catechins also varies depending on the type of harvest? And yes, to obtain a green tea rich in antioxidants, it is recommended to practice fine picking, also called imperial picking, which consists of taking only the bud and the first leaf. In other words, the two elements richest in catechins!
The importance of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
The catechin family is vast and complex and the molecules that compose it have astonishing antioxidant properties. Here are some explanations to help you find your way:
The main catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It is the most cited molecule when we talk about tea.
Another catechin: epicatechin gallate (ECG) which comes in 2nd position in the ranking in terms of quantity.
But there are also epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC).
Catechins are polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, among which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant and most studied. This particular molecule is often associated with beneficial health effects, including its potential effects on body weight management.
Several mechanisms are put forward to explain the link between green tea catechins and weight loss. First, catechins have been linked to increased metabolism, which may promote increased energy expenditure, thereby contributing to the reduction of body fat stores. By increasing thermogenesis, i.e. the body's production of heat, catechins can stimulate the breakdown of fats and increase the oxidation of fatty acids, thus promoting weight loss.
Additionally, catechins may influence the regulation of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, which may promote a reduction in the absorption of dietary fat and an increase in the oxidation of fat stored in the body. By inhibiting pancreatic lipase, an enzyme involved in fat digestion, catechins can limit the absorption of triglycerides and reduce fat accumulation in adipose tissues.
Additionally, green tea catechins may also have effects on regulating appetite and satiety. Studies suggest that green tea consumption may modulate the secretion of certain hormones involved in appetite regulation, such as leptin and ghrelin, which may contribute to reduced calorie intake and more effective body weight management. Thus, these combined mechanisms can contribute to a reduction in fat mass and the proper maintenance of healthy weight when integrated into a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Green tea, a tea with draining properties
Green tea cannot make you lose weight in one sip, however it is also known for its draining and diuretic action. It is in fact these same catechins and its richness in caffeine (because yes it also contains polyphenols) which would help to eliminate it more easily and while maintaining a stable blood sugar level.
In a few words:
Green tea hydrates and promotes elimination. Did you know that all teas have diuretic properties? But green tea is by far the most powerful of them due to its very high concentration of catechins.
Diuretic? Yes but also draining! Green tea also helps fight against water retention.
NEW: Ritual Slimming Tea, tea enriched with green tea extract to stimulate your metabolism and accelerate fat oxidation! An enriched tea with proven benefits.
Caffeine and its fat-burning effect
The green tea also contains caffeine/theine, an essential slimming active ingredient known for its fat-burning effect. Coming from methylxanthines, caffeine is an alkaloid (nitrogen-based molecule) which promotes lipolysis, namely the process of removing and burning fat (triglycerides) in the body and stimulates metabolism.
Caffeine is also known for its stimulating properties on the central nervous system. By increasing the body's metabolic activity, caffeine can promote an increase in energy expenditure, thereby contributing to calorie burning and weight loss. This increase in metabolism can be particularly beneficial when combined with regular physical activity, helping to maximize the fat-burning effects of exercise.
Caffeine also improves your physical performance because it increases the availability of fats in your body. Which provides more fuel during exercise! Caffeine is then said to be ergogenic. Enough to burn fat more easily!
Finally, caffeine can act as a mild appetite suppressant by suppressing appetite and reducing feelings of hunger. As a result, consumption of caffeinated green tea may help limit calorie intake by reducing food cravings and snacking urges between meals, which may contribute to reduced food intake and better body weight control.
Furthermore, did you know that caffeine and theine are actually one and the same molecule? These different names are used mainly for marketing purposes.
Green tea, a 0 calorie drink
Finally, this is common sense but why not remember it? Green tea is a 0-calorie drink because it is sugar-free, as long as you don't add a few squares or opt for the famous mint green tea! Consuming it throughout the day therefore has no impact on the weight indicated on the scale because it does not impact your diet. Enough to enjoy your taste buds with complete peace of mind and easily keep your weight in good shape! And on the pleasure side matcha, sencha, bancha, gyokuro or genmaicha have something to offer you.
How to enjoy green tea to benefit from its slimming benefits?
In order to benefit from the possible draining and slimming effects of green tea, we give you our advice for preparing your tea according to the rules of the art:
Water temperature – In addition to affecting the taste of your tea, water temperature can also help increase the amount of catechin released into your brew. The warmer the water is (70-80°), the higher the level of catechins and caffeine will be.
Brewing time – The amount of catechin and caffeine released increases with the duration of infusion (generally, one to five minutes).
How much green tea to drink to optimize its slimming effects?
To optimize the slimming effects of green tea, it is essential to find a balance in its consumption. How often you drink green tea can play a crucial role in achieving your weight loss goals. It is recommended to drink green tea regularly throughout the day, rather than consuming it sporadically. By spacing your consumption of green tea throughout the day, you can maintain a constant level of catechins and caffeine in your body, thus promoting a prolonged action on metabolism and fat burning. However, it is important not to overdo it, as excessive consumption of green tea can lead to side effects such as trouble sleeping or irritability. In general, two to three cups of green tea per day are considered a reasonable amount to benefit from its slimming benefits without health risks. By adjusting your intake based on your individual tolerance and specific needs, you can make the most of green tea's properties to support your weight loss efforts safely and effectively.
Green tea Kusmi Tea : an ORGANIC tea & made in Normandy
At Kusmi Tea, we offer you a range of delicious green teas designed, created, mixed, flavored and packaged in our workshops in France. As part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and a healthy lifestyle, all our products are labeled organic and are subject to numerous quality controls during their production and development.
Used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, green tea is a drink with many benefits! However, you will have understood it, at Kusmi Tea we prefer to play the transparency card and take a grain of salt when it comes to the slimming benefits of green tea. Draining and diuretic yes! Weight loss no. A healthy and varied diet as well as regular sporting activity remain the two best ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. But that doesn't take away from the appeal of a cup of green tea.
You can now find our new green tea to facilitate weight loss, Slimming Ritual, a mixture of green tea and maté, enriched with green tea extract and with a good taste of strawberry and cherry.