There are many green tea weight loss and weight loss tea scams out there — as you can see by checking just about any online complaints forum. But scams and “miracle products” aside, can plain old green tea burn fat and help you lose weight? Preliminary research suggests that it might and, in additions to that, green tea has many health benefits that make it a great beverage for people who are trying to lose weight. Here are some questions and answers:
Q — What does the research say about green tea and weight loss?
A — Well, some recent studies have shown that it probably won’t hurt, and might help. A study in The Journal of Nutrition in 2009 showed that antioxidants in green tea might help people to lose more abdominal fat while they’re exercising. In the study, 100 normally sedentary adults were chosen to participate in modest exercise regimens; some ingested green tea compounds first and the control group did not. The group that did lost more weight overall, and specifically from the stomach and hip area, than the control group. Some other preliminary studies have shown similar results.
Q — What do the experts say about green tea and weight loss?
A — Many holistic health experts tout green tea for its general health benefits. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who is fairly famous as an anti-aging and skin care expert, went on the Oprah Winfrey show and made some interesting statements about green tea. He said that anyone who switches from coffee to green tea would lose 10 pounds in six weeks — guaranteed. How did he explain this? He said coffee has acids that raise insulin, which puts “a lock on body fat.” By switching to green tea, he said, you get caffeine and release that “lock” and drop weight. But some other experts have gone on record saying that they disagree or felt the statement was too strong.
Q — What’s the general opinion on green tea for health?
In addition to being a possible fat burner, green tea has many antioxidants and vitamins that can help give your health a boost if you drink it regularly. You can drink it hot or iced. Health experts suggest drinking several cups a day. If you drink coffee in the morning, switching it out for green tea would be a smart move, whether Dr. Perricone is right or not. And you can add it to smoothies and drink it as an after-dinner drink as well (though not too close to bedtime, since it has caffeine.)
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