Green Tea and Weight Loss: Does It Work?

When someone mentions the word “weight”, oftentimes, the first thing that comes to mind is “losing weight”. And while that is certainly a desirable goal, it need not be limited to just that. There are many different ways that one can benefit from the “green tea” plant, and one of them is likely to surprise you.

Help For Those Who Struggle With Obesity

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re already aware of the perils of obesity. According to the World Health Organization, around 30% of the world’s population is now considered to be overweight. And since obesity is linked to a host of health risks, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and some forms of cancer, you perhaps already see the benefits of getting rid of that excess weight.

However, that’s not the only way in which green tea could help. As it turns out, there are a number of medicinal properties that make this tea extremely versatile and suitable for a wide array of applications.

Antioxidants

One of the primary reasons why green tea is considered to be so healthy is because of its antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect your body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can lead to cell damage and premature aging. But since antioxidants can neutralize those molecules, they prevent that cell damage and premature aging and keep the body in good health.

When you drink green tea, the antioxidants within it are capable of fighting and defending your body’s cells against free radicals. And that, in turn, could lead to lowered rates of chronic diseases and premature aging.

Anti-Inflammatory

Another wonderful thing about green tea is that it can help to reduce inflammation. As it turns out, the compounds within green tea are capable of inhibiting the activity of enzymes that promote inflammation. So by drinking green tea, you could help reduce the amount of inflammation in your body and, as a result, improve your health and wellbeing.

But it’s not just the ability to reduce inflammation that makes green tea so valuable. It also has the ability to prevent and even treat a variety of ailments. And if you’re not sure whether or not green tea is right for you, you might find it helpful to read the reviews of those who have tried it.

Boosts Brain Function

One of the more recent discoveries about green tea is that it is able to increase the functioning of the brain. Nowadays, many people enjoy drinking green tea because of its ability to boost cognitive function. And while there isn’t any direct link between brain function and weight loss, it’s reasonable to assume that a healthy brain would contribute to a healthy body. So if you’re looking for a way to lose weight, you might find it helpful to try drinking green tea to boost your brain’s performance.

Protects Skin

Another wonderful thing about green tea is that it’s good for your skin. The compounds within it protect your skin against damage caused by ultraviolet rays and free radicals. So by drinking it, you could help keep your skin in excellent condition and prevent premature aging and other ailments.

Just like with your overall health, if you’re not sure whether or not to try green tea, it might be a good idea to check with your dermatologist or doctor. Some people with sensitive skin might find that it causes irritation or discoloration.

Healthy Appetite

If you’re looking to lose weight, one of the things that you’ll need is a healthy appetite. After all, if you’re not consuming enough calories, then it’s not very likely that you’ll be exhibiting the desired weight loss. But unfortunately, many people with low appetites find that drinking green tea makes them even more hungry. And since it’s already difficult for many of us to restrain our appetites, it might not be the best idea to drink green tea if your goal is to lose weight.

However, if you’re not worried about your weight and just want to enjoy the perks that come with drinking green tea, you might find that it helps to increase your appetite. Just remember that the increased appetite can quickly turn into a craving for unhealthy food, so you still need to watch out for that!

Heart Health

If you’ve been looking into herbal remedies for heart disease, then you’ll know that gingko biloba is generally considered to be one of the better choices. But now, thanks to research, we know that there’s actually another plant with comparable heart health benefits: green tea. And while we can’t really give gingko biloba the full credit for the fact that it reduced the mortality rate among those with heart disease by 21%, we can at least say that drinking green tea is certainly advantageous to heart health.

The flavonoids and polyphenols within green tea are both capable of stopping or slowing the progression of heart disease. And since heart disease often leads to other illnesses, such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, you might find that it’s in your best interest to try and drink more green tea to keep your heart healthy!

Cancer Fighting

If you’re a cancer patient, you might be interested in trying green tea as part of your treatment. The compounds within it are able to stop the growth of cancer cells and kill them. And while it’s not yet fully understood how green tea is able to do this, it’s thought to have something to do with the free radicals that these compounds are capable of generating.

Just like with heart disease, there are also clinical trials that show the beneficial effects of green tea on those with cancer. So if you’re seeking cancer treatment, it might be a good idea to try drinking it as part of your regimen. But be sure to talk to your doctor first and have an understanding of whether or not it’s right for you.

Many people enjoy the taste of fresh tea leaves. But because they’re extremely delicate, they can quickly become spoiled if you don’t know how to handle them properly. As it turns out, there are a few tips that you should know in order to prepare fresh green tea:

  • Always use fresh water.
  • Don’t use hot water to brew it.
  • Leaf it for only three to five minutes before drinking.
  • Don’t let it sit in the open air for longer than necessary.

If you keep all of those tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of green tea without any of the downsides. So if you want to try it, then be sure to brew it the right way so that you can get the most from it!

Like many other types of tea, green tea is a great source of antioxidants. In fact, it has more antioxidants than many other types of tea. But that doesn’t mean that it’s beneficial for everyone. If you’ve tried it and experienced negative side effects, then you should certainly discontinue its use. But if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, then green tea could be a good choice for you.