Diet Supplements Health Tips

Green Tea, Weight Loss and Your Heart

April 9, 2008
By J White

When you increase the oxidation or burning of fat, you’re able to lose weight more quickly. Green tea extract that are high in catechins have been shown to reduce body fat. A side benefit of this is also a reduction to the risk of cardiovascular disease.

To test these findings, a research laboratory in Japan recruited men and women to test the effects of green tea extract for the reduction of body fat. After dieting for 2 weeks, the subjects were told to maintain their usual diet and physical activity. This lasted for a 12 week period.

During the 12 weeks, one group was given green tea containing 600 mg of catechins and the other 100 mg. Catechins are a type of antioxidant. After the 12 week period, the researchers reported that the group that consumed a high amount of catechins had a significant decrease in body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio and waist and hip circumference. They speculated that the possible mechanism by which the catechins reduce fat may be related to an increase in energy expenditure.

Regardless of how it worked though, their findings confirmed results from other studies. What’s more is that they found that a reduction of cholesterol occurred. High cholesterol has been associated with heart disease and hypertension. By ingesting catechins in high amounts, you not only burn fat, but you also get the benefits of better heart health.

The catechins in this study came from green tea, but they can also be found in black tea, Oolong tea as well as fruit, vegetables, wine and everyones favorite, chocolate. The reason that green tea is so popular, is that very high concentrations of catechins is found in it when compared to other sources.

For the quickest means to add catechins to your diet, check out your local health food store for green tea extract. It won’t be long before you’ll start reaping the benefit of fat loss and better heart health.

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