Green tea is often associated with health, and for good reason.

Not only is it packed with beneficial antioxidants and other powerful nutrients, but it’s also one of the most effective drinks for weight loss.

Drinking green tea has been shown to decrease body weight and body fat in several studies.

A review of 14 studies found that people who drank high-concentration green tea for 12 weeks lost an average of 0.44 to 7.7 pounds (0.2 to 3.5 kg) more than those who did not drink green tea.

It should be noted that this benefit is linked to green tea preparations that contain high amounts of catechins, antioxidants that may increase fat burning and boost metabolism.

Matcha is a type of green tea that contains a higher amount of catechins than loose leaf green tea, which makes it a good choice for weight loss.

One study found that women who consumed 3 grams of matcha per day experienced greater fat burning during exercise compared to women who did not drink matcha.

Plus, green tea contains caffeine, which can help promote weight loss by boosting energy levels and improving performance while exercising.

What’s more, people who drink green tea tend to have lower blood pressure and a lower risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.

•  Evidence-Based Benefits of Green Tea

 Contains healthy bioactive compounds

Green tea is more than just a hydrating beverage.

The green tea plant contains a range of healthy compounds that make it into the final drink.

Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are natural compounds that have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer.

Green tea contains a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.

These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals play a role in aging and many types of diseases.

EGCG is one of the most powerful compounds in green tea. Research has tested its ability to help treat various diseases. It appears to be one of the main compounds that give green tea its medicinal properties.

• Green tea also has small amounts of minerals that can benefit your health.

Try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride.

That being said, even if you choose a lower-quality brand, the benefits still outweigh any risk.

 

May improve brain function

Green tea does more than just keep you alert, it may also help boost brain function.

The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a known stimulant.

It doesn’t contain as much as coffee, but enough to produce a response without causing the jittery effects associated with taking in too much caffeine.

Caffeine affects the brain by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine. This way, it increases the firing of neurons and the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

Research has consistently shown that caffeine can improve various aspects of brain function, including mood, vigilance, reaction time, and memory.

However, caffeine isn’t the only brain-boosting compound in green tea. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier.

L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain.

Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. This means that the combination of the two can have particularly powerful effects in improving brain function.

Because of the L-theanine and the small dose of caffeine, green tea may give you a much milder and different kind of buzz than coffee.

Many people report having more stable energy and being much more productive when they drink green tea, compared with coffee.

Increases fat burning

If you look at the ingredients list for any fat-burning supplement, chances are, green tea will be on there.

This is because, according to research, green tea can increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate.

In one study involving 10 healthy men, taking green tea extract increased the number of calories burned by 4%. In another involving 12 healthy men, green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17%, compared with those taking a placebo.

However, some studies on green tea don’t show any increase in metabolism, so the effects may depend on the individual and how the study was set up.

Caffeine may also improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissue and making them available for use as energy.

Two separate review studies reported that caffeine may increase physical performance by approximately 11–12%.