We’ve all heard that green tea is good for us when it comes to providing antioxidants and helping to prevent a variety of diseases, but did you know that it can be a powerful tool in your health and fitness strategy when it comes to weight loss?
We’re two nurses who have a passion for tea and preventative health, and we’ve taken the time to explore six different ways that green tea can assist you with healthy weight loss, to give you even more reasons to include it in your everyday health and fitness routine.
1. Green Tea Boosts Fat Burning
We’re talking thermogenesis! What the hell is that? It’s a process of heat production and can be stimulated to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Simply, it helps the body to burn fat.
This is believed to be due to the interaction between the small amount of caffeine and the large amount of catechins (antioxidants) found in green tea. This super tea is also rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural chemical that further boosts the process of thermogenesis. So that’s a triple-threat!
Tip: Consuming green tea around exercise can boost results even further – pour some green tea extract into your water bottle and go, go, go!
2. Green Tea Boosts Metabolism
Green tea naturally enhances energy levels and contributes to muscle building, which in turn will boost your metabolism. The antioxidants that are present in green tea will stimulate your muscle cells and liver to use more fatty acids. As a result, your body will use carbohydrates at a slower rate than normal…affecting your endurance in a very positive way.
3. Green Tea Improves Endurance
With more carbohydrates remaining in your body, your endurance will increase and in turn you’ll be able to exercise for a longer period of time. So no excuses! Taking advantage of this increased endurance will mean you’ll have the opportunity to burn even more calories with each workout.
4. Green Tea Is a Natural Appetite Suppressant
Great news – green tea is high in antioxidants, and it’s these antioxidants (catechins in particular) that are believed to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. This slows the rise of blood sugar and prevents high insulin levels, and subsequent fat storage. A stable blood sugar leads to a more stable appetite, and fewer cravings.
The small amount of caffeine found naturally in green tea can also work as a short term appetite suppressant (peppermint tea is also a great alternative if you want to mix things up).
Tip: If you’re starting to feel like a snack between meals, choose a cup of green tea instead to avoid empty calories and sugars, and make sure you’re well hydrated.
5. Green Tea Promotes A Healthy Gut
Green tea promotes gut health by working to increase the number of good bacteria in the gut, and decrease the number of bad bacteria. This balance leads to a reduction in bloating and improved digestion and nutrient absorption, resulting in a healthier, more efficient body.
6. Green Tea Makes a Health-Boosting Alternative to Sugary, Flavoured Drinks
Soft drinks, fruit juices and energy drinks can be traps when it comes to sugar content and empty calories. Simply swapping one bottle of soft drink for a cup of green tea can save you 30 grams of sugar or more, and over 150 calories.
Tip: Convenience is KING so make sure you have your green tea ready and waiting to go. Try Green Tea In 3 Seconds – it’s a pure green tea and fruit extract that comes in handy individual sachets – no sugars, no calories, and loaded with health-boosting antioxidants. Pour straight into your water bottle and go!
So now there’s even more reason for you to include green tea in your health and fitness routine each and every day.
GREAT NEWS: If you’re not a big fan of traditionally brewed green tea, or the green tea taste, Green Tea In 3 Seconds could be the perfect alternative. The best thing is that it’s ready in the same time it takes to open a can of drink!
