New Year’s resolutions, promises and renunciations – we’ll do anything for the perfect figure or ideal health. We buy lots of supplements, fat burners and the like to make our journey easier. All the while, the consumer effect is achieved in a much more natural and, most importantly, much more beneficial way. Green tea has become increasingly popular in recent years as a natural weight loss aid. Let’s take a look at why green tea is so effective for weight loss, how and when to consume it, what other teas and herbs can support digestion and help with weight loss.
How does green tea work for the consumer?
Green tea has a number of effects that help our body to function ideally. These positive effects include helping us to achieve our ideal body weight. If consumed properly, it cannot only help our metabolism, but also have other beneficial effects, such as improving our memory or boosting our immunity. But let’s start by looking – how does it affect your body?
1. Antioxidant content
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially catechins. These substances successfully fight free radicals produced in the body. Free radicals damage human DNA and are responsible for the development of many diseases and ageing. The most effective catechin found in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
2. Boost your metabolism
Research shows that green tea can speed up your metabolism. EGCG, in combination with caffeine, which is naturally found in green tea, can promote thermogenesis – the process by which the body burns calories to produce heat. In addition, the diuretic effect of caffeine is also consuming. Green tea is also an excellent substitute for coffee, and its effect is to increase alertness and physical activity levels.
3. Promote fat loss
Green tea increases fat oxidation, which means that the body uses fat more efficiently as an energy source. This can be particularly beneficial during exercise, when increased fat oxidation helps burn more calories.
4. Reduces appetite
Some studies suggest that green tea may help to reduce appetite, thereby reducing overall calorie intake. So, if you have an irresistible craving for chocolate that you don’t want to give in to, opt for a cup of green tea instead and you can banish the cravings!
5. Regulates blood sugar levels
Green tea can help regulate blood sugar levels, which is important in curbing cravings and preventing overeating. This is of course related to the previous point.
Sweet cravings are largely conditioned by a drop in our blood sugar levels (they don’t have to fall below normal, but rather below what our body is used to). If we can control this in other ways, such as reducing our sugar intake in any form, it will certainly be easier to overcome.
Other benefits of green tea
In addition to its use as a consumer, green tea is also an ally on other fronts. The aforementioned EGCG is considered the most powerful natural compound with the epigenetic potential to affect our bodies.
Do you know what this means? No problem. Epigenetics is a relatively young field of science that deals with the mechanisms that can influence our bodies through chemical processes, despite our genetic predisposition to the contrary – that is, it’s about the reactions that can find genetic information in our bodies and the possibility of ‘turning it on’ or, conversely, ‘turning it off’.
EGCG therefore plays an essential role in the prevention of many diseases, including type II diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Promoting heart health
Green tea can improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Improves brain function
The caffeine and L-theanine in green tea can improve brain function, including mood, reaction time and memory.
3. Supports the immune system
Green tea contains substances that can strengthen the immune system and help fight infections.
4. Improving digestion
It can aid digestion and relieve problems such as bloating and flatulence.
5. Promoting healthy teeth and skin
Green tea contains the aforementioned antioxidants, which, in addition to their anti-inflammatory effects, are also good for your skin and teeth.
When is green tea recommended?
If you pour yourself a cup of tea, keep an eye on the caffeine content. The same rule applies as for coffee – don’t drink it just before bedtime to avoid insomnia. Caffeine makes us feel alert and focused, and we certainly don’t need that feeling before bedtime.
1. Breakfast
Morning is the perfect time to have your first cup of green tea, as the caffeine and EGCG help to kick-start your metabolism and boost your energy stores. It can also improve concentration and mental alertness.
2. Before training
Drinking green tea before exercise can enhance performance and promote fat burning during physical activity.
3. Between meals
Drinking green tea between meals can help stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce appetite, which can lead to lower calorie intake. It is particularly good after lunch, between about 2pm and 4pm, when you feel tired in the afternoon. A cup of green tea will get you going! If you take care when dosing your tea to drink it about 15-30 minutes before a meal, it will kick-start your metabolism perfectly.
What should you pay attention to when dosing?
1. Quality over quantity
It’s important to choose good quality green tea, ideally organic, to avoid pesticides and get maximum health benefits. In particular, loose teas are great as they are much more effective. The effects should last for around 3-5 hours, so wait until this time has passed before your next cup.
2. The ideal amount
The recommended dose is about 2-3 cups per day. Overconsumption can lead to an excess intake of caffeine, which can cause unwanted side effects such as insomnia or stomach irritation.
3. The dissolution process
Steeping green tea requires some precision to achieve the ideal taste and health benefits:
Water temperature. Hot water can destroy the valuable substances in green tea and leave a bitter taste.
Steeping time: the tea should be steeped for 2-3 minutes. Too long a steeping time can cause bitterness and excessive caffeine release.
Amount of water: a serving of tea should be steeped in roughly 150-250 millilitres of water, depending on how intense you want the flavour to be.
Other herbs beneficial for weight loss and digestion
In addition to green tea, there are many other teas that are beneficial for weight loss. Although green is probably the best and most effective if you don’t like it, white and black teas can also help. Less well-known, for example, are Oolong or Pu-Erh yellow tea. In addition to classic teas, you can also turn to herbs or combinations of herbs and classic teas for ideal results.
Green tea is a great natural alternative for weight loss thanks to its antioxidant, metabolism-boosting and fat-burning properties. However, it should never be thought of as a consumable tea.
Regular consumption in the right amounts and at the right time can make a significant contribution to successful weight loss. In addition to green tea, other teas and herbs that support digestion and metabolism can also be beneficial.
However, remember that weight loss is a complex process that involves a healthy diet and regular exercise. On our website you will find a great tea blend containing burdock, nettle and cornflower, among others, which is great for weight loss. Try our Calendula Pharma Slimming Tea Blend and see for yourself!