I am addicted to my morning cup of green tea. But while I know it has health benefits, I am delighted to find that a new study has shown that green tea extract is also effective for weight loss at low doses. 

The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has just released a 2010 online report (1) indicating that green tea "can increase fat oxidation in obese men, at least within 2 hours after meal intake. The consumption of tea might promote weight loss, help maintain body weight following weight loss, and prevent the development of some diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes and fatty liver disease”.

“The effective doses seem to be 3 to 10 cups of green tea per day.” 

How does Green tea increase fat oxidation by 33%?

The active component is a polyphenol catechin called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) whose fat burning properties may be related to increased liver activity. This involves the release of energy and results in the breakdown of complex materials. While green tea contains caffeine, it is the antioxidant effect of the catechins that enhances its effect.This may make green tea superior to stimulant diet drugs, which can have adverse cardiac effects, especially in obese individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.

But it does not stop there.

Catechins in tea have been found to protect the heart and cardiovascular system.(2) Green tea in particular has been found to be associated with a lower risk of heart attack because it reduces serum cholesterol levels and prevents thickening and hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.(3,4)

As well green tea may help to prevent cancer as researchers have found that breast and prostate cancers in animal experiments are reduced by green, but not black tea.(5)

What does that mean for my tea drinking habit?

While I can enjoy the benefits of my one or two cups of green tea daily, I also know that losing weight is never going to be that simple. Cutting back on grains and sugars and increasing the amount of exercise is really the only way to lose that extra kilo or two. Oh well, back to the bike!
 

1. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print] Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and postprandial fat oxidation in overweight/obese male volunteers: a pilot study. Thielecke F, Rahn G, Böhnke J, Adams F, Birkenfeld AL, Jordan J, Boschmann M. 
2. Geleijnse JM, Launer LJ, Hofman A, Pols HAP, Witteman JCM. Tea flavonoids may protect against atherosclerosis: The Rotterdam Study. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159:2170-2174.
3. Sesso HD, Gaziano JM, Buring JE, Hennekens CH. Coffee and tea intake and the risk of myocardial infarction. Am J Epidemiol. 1999;149:162-167. 
4. Cheng TO. Antioxidants in Chinese green tea [letter]. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31:1214. 
5. Jankun J, Seman SH, Swiercz R, Skrzypczak-Jankun E. Why drinking green tea could prevent cancer. Nature. 1997;387:561
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