365 Tips to the Fit Body You've Always Wanted - Tip #24 - Drink More Green Tea by Lauren Lopez
The practice of drinking green tea goes back thousands of years,
originating out of china. The Chinese first began using it for the
magic it was believed to work medicinally.
The leaves of green tea are loaded with powerful catechins.
Green tea in particular contains the catechin epigallocatechin
gallate or EGCG. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to
aid in the prevention of many diseases including cancer and
cardiovascular disease. According to WholeHealthMD.com:
Current research has shown EGCG to be as much as 100 times more
potent than vitamin C and 25 time more potent than vitamin E in
antioxidant power. Antimicrobial properties in green tea are also
attributed to EGCG, which has been shown to repress the growth of
bacteria such as helicobacter pylori, E. coli, and Staphylococcus
aureus. Scientists have not yet determined specific amounts of
catechins needed to exert health benefits.
Weight loss
In addition EGCG is believed to aid in weight loss through a
process known as thermogenesis or the production of heat within the
body. Numerous studies have concluded that green tea boosts
metabolism and helps people lose weight and keep it off. It is
believed that green tea speeds up the metabolic process and thus
causes the body to burn additional calories throughout the day.
Green tea is not meant to be a substitute for diet and exercise
however, but rather a dietary supplement that has been shown to aid
in fat oxidation.
Caffeine
Green tea also contains a good amount of caffeine which many
studies have shown to aid in mental focus and provide a quick burst
of energy. However, be careful when consuming large amounts of
quantities especially if your body is not accustomed to it.
Caffeine increases the resting heart rate and is a stimulant. If
you are not used to caffeine you may want to start off with just
one cup of green tea a day and progress as desired over time.
How much green tea
To get any real benefit from green tea, you have to really get
brewing. Some suggest 5-6 cups per day, while others suggest as
many as 10 cups per day. Either way make green tea a part of your
regular diet and avoid purchasing cans or bottles of green tea
loaded with sugar. For best results make your own green tea and
add some lemon to it for even more metabolism
boosting and health related benefits--you have nothing to lose but
weight!
Continue reading on Examiner.com:
365 tips to the fit body you've always wanted - Tip #24 Drink more
green tea - Santa Ana Personal Training | Examiner.com
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