Obesity continues to be a major health issue for many Americans. As a matter of fact, over 65% of adults in the U.S. are either obese or overweight. Because of this, more and more are putting themselves at risk for related chronic diseases and conditions like stroke, hypertension, high levels of bad cholesterol, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. In response to the growing number of people experiencing obesity, the market is saturated with weight loss tips and weight loss products. One weight loss aid that is gaining popularity is green tea. Some experts claim that a green tea diet may be beneficial for someone who’s trying to lose weight.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Aside from its ability to fight cancer and heart disease, a recent study showed that green tea may also help you lose excess weight. As a diet tea, green tea contains plenty of catechins. Catechins are substances that have anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant properties. Based on recent research, catechins may also have an effect on cholesterol levels and fat accumulation. Compared to other types of teas such as black tea and oolong tea, green tea has more catechins.

According to a recent study done on a group of Japanese men, participants who regularly drank green tea extract lost more pounds compared to those who didn’t consume the tea extract and experienced a decrease in total body fat, waist size, and in BMI or Body Mass Index. Aside from these results, participants who regularly consumed green tea also had lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels at the end of the study. Based on this study, researchers claimed that catechins may not only help burn excess calories and minimize LDL levels but it may also help in reducing body fat. By stimulating your body to burn fat, this specific type of tea may actually help people fight against obesity.

The Green Tea Diet

Because of the various green tea benefits, a green tea diet may actually be good for you. To slowly introduce green tea into your diet, try to drink a cup or two every meal. Another option is to drink diet pills with green tea extract. Pills are perfect for you if you don’t want to experience caffeine-related side effects caused by drinking lots of green tea. When opting for green tea pills, make sure that what you buy are authentic diet supplements. For a more natural way to lose those excess pounds, a cup or two of green tea everyday may actually help.

As a natural process, thermogenesis occurs when heat is generated by the body as a result of food digestion, absorption, and metabolization. This natural heat-making process helps burn body fat and extra calories. One substance that may stimulate thermogenesis is EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. And this substance is abundantly found in green tea.

Effect of EGCG on Thermogenesis

According to a study done in Switzerland, a certain kind of fatty tissue from rats were exposed to green tea extract containing traces of caffeine and caffeine alone. Ephedrine, a controversial weight loss drug due to its effect on blood pressure and heart rate, was also introduced. Researchers have found out that when the green tea compound EGCG was combined with ephedrine and caffeine, thermogenesis greatly increased. The results of these studies raise the possibility of green tea as an effective treatment or diet supplement for obesity.

However, these studies only involved rat tissues which are different from human tissues. The findings of these studies are quite significant and can be used as a model when looking at the effects of caffeine, ephedrine, and EGCG on thermogenesis but stating their physiological significance to humans is still too early.

Green Tea Diet Pills

Even though more research is still needed to scientifically prove the effects of green tea on thermogenesis, many fitness and weight loss companies are now selling green tea diet pills. Some of these diet pills contain other herbal ingredients that promise to help your body burn more fat. Such ingredients include cocoa extract, vanadium, glucomannan, and citrus fiber. These ingredients have anti-hunger properties. Together with other ingredients, green tea pills can both act as a regulator of fat intake and as a fat burner. This is why green tea weight loss programs involving such diet pills have become popular. As a matter of fact, there are many weight loss products containing green tea extract sold through the Internet.

But before you buy a bottle of diet pills containing green tea extracts, it’s best to consult a physician or health professional first. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, never take diet pills without consulting your doctor. There is a possibility that such diet pills with green tea extract and other herbal ingredients may have a harmful effect on your baby. Also, double-check the pill manufacturer. To be safe, always stick to legit makers of diet supplements and herbal pills. Doing a bit of research about the various ingredients a green tea diet pill may contain is a good idea when looking for authentic diet supplements.