It is the traditional Chinese belief that drinking tea is an effective method of controlling body weight. It will come as no surprise that Westerners, upon latching onto this nugget of wisdom, have used green / oolong teas since the 1990’s as a natural way to enhance energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Specifically, the catechin-caffeine content within the teas stimulate weight loss by activating the sympathoadrenal (fight or flight) system. This allows fat cells to release their content faster into the bloodstream and increases energy expenditure of muscles and organs.
Unfortunately, with today’s weight-loss market being overrun with bunk products such as the ‘miraculous’ Acai Berry, it’s difficult to know which financial investment will actually produce visible results. Well, look no further than this post …
Why You Should Drink Your Tea:
A recent meta-analysis (which stands at equals with the systematic review on the ‘evidence’ hierarchy) by Dutch researchers has QUANTIFIED the amount of fat you burn for every cup of green tea you drink.
The scientists combed through the literature, emerging with six articles which fit a thorough 18 conditions for inclusion. Using statistical techniques which I won’t go into for the sake of your sanity, Rick Hursel and his team determined that the catechins and caffeine found in green / oolong tea increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation by –
0.53kJ per milligramUnfortunately, with today’s weight-loss market being overrun with bunk products such as the ‘miraculous’ Acai Berry, it’s difficult to know which financial investment will actually produce visible results. Well, look no further than this post …
Why You Should Drink Your Tea:
A recent meta-analysis (which stands at equals with the systematic review on the ‘evidence’ hierarchy) by Dutch researchers has QUANTIFIED the amount of fat you burn for every cup of green tea you drink.
The scientists combed through the literature, emerging with six articles which fit a thorough 18 conditions for inclusion. Using statistical techniques which I won’t go into for the sake of your sanity, Rick Hursel and his team determined that the catechins and caffeine found in green / oolong tea increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation by –
0.02g of fat per milligram.
Given the assumption that a 200-ml cup of green tea contains 30mg of caffeine, as well as 253mg of catechins this equates to a grand total of 5.7g - [(30mg+253mg)x0.02g]
Thinking Long Term:
If every cup of green tea you drink boosts your fat burning by 5.7g, then by drinking three cups of green tea every day for a year one could potentially increase fat oxidation by over 6kg! ! !
Reference:
Hursel, R., Viechtbaue, W., Dulloo, A. G., Tremblay, A., Tappy, L., Rumpler, W., & Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2010). The effects of catechin rich teas and caffeine on energy expenditure and fat oxidation: a meta-analysis, Obesity Reviews, 12, e573-e581.
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