There over 10 years of studies that have shown definite health benefits for the users especially in its potential to fight diseases light cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and stroke prevention.
There have been reports of weight loss using green tea but are these real or just urban legend? The Facts The apparent health benefits are becoming more and more evident in terms of weight loss using green tea.
Studies have shown that consistently consume green tea can may begin to see a boosting of fat burning and metabolism, protection and boosting of the immune system, blocking fat absorption, promoting healthier skin, boosting of focus and cognitive function, fighting the aging process, protecting the body against diseases and promoting oral health.
How Does Green Tea Work? It is derived from a shrub called Camellia sinensis.
All teas that are sold commercially in fact come from this variety of Camellia with the difference in the tea products being how they are processed.
The teas go through a process called oxidation; the more oxidized the Camellia leaves become the darker the finished product is.
Oxidation is the aging of a cell or an organism.
The benefits of green tea come from the fact that the nutritional components (like its antioxidant polyphenol) of the Camellia plant have not be processed out through this oxidation procedure.
Antioxidants are responsible for neutralizing free radicals in our body.
They are scavengers that actually neutralize free radicals by giving up an electron to the free radical to neutralize it.
As our cells use oxygen, they produce free radicals as a bi-product which in turn can cause cell damage, mutation or even cell death.
A good example of free radical damage is to cut open an apple and let it sit on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours.
Over time you will notice that the apple begins to turn brown.
That is oxidation or free radical damage which can result from everything from smoking to exercise.
Free radicals are being tied to the onset of diseases such as heart disease, cancer and stroke to name a few.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, the same phytochemical in red wine that has been linked to many health benefits like the prevention of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
One antioxidant in particular that is responsible for increased weight loss is epigallocatechin gallate.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is responsible for stimulating the release of fat in to the blood stream and then flushed out of the body.
This process is called "thermogenesis" or the production of heat in the body.
The caffeine found in green tea assists in this process as well.
There is enough evidence to suggest that green tea can help with weight loss but the results you will likely see will be based on quality of green tea extract.
It is important to make sure that any green tea product (or any supplement that for that matter) you use meets GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
These standards have been in place in the pharmaceutical industry for many years and many supplement companies are now beginning to adhere to these standards as well.
GMPs require that the products have the active ingredients in them that are stated on the label as well as are pure and safe.