1. Weight loss: How much and when should you have green tea

Green tea has gained widespread attention globally as a weight loss product, making it the second most popular beverage around, after water.

Due to its nutritional and antioxidant value, green tea has been associated with several health benefits, including weight loss. It has been used for ages in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various health conditions.

2. How green tea helps you lose weight?

Metabolism is the process that allows the body to convert your food and drink into usable energy. Green tea is said to be good for weight loss as it helps in making the body’s metabolism more efficient. It has catechin flavonoid, which is an antioxidant and boosts metabolism.

A study published in 2010 found that green tea supplements that contain caffeine or catechins have a small but positive impact on weight loss programs.

Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is the most effective weight loss strategy. But green tea when used alongside these methods can increase the positive result.

3. How much green tea you should drink for weight loss?

Drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea in one day is sufficient for supplementing weight loss, recommends a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Centre. The exact amount will vary from person to person depending upon their natural metabolism.

4. The right way to prepare green tea

When it comes to enjoying the taste of green tea, how your brew it can make all the difference. Do not overheat the water, as excess boiling will damage the catechins. For the best taste and result, boil water and then allow it to rest for ten minutes. Then pour it over the tea leaves and brew it for a minute before pulling out the leaves.

5. Green tea varieties

Green teas are available in a number of varieties but for weight loss, there is not much difference between them. Plain, minimally processed green teas have the richest nutritional content and thus are considered best for weight loss and other health benefits. Another good thing about green tea is that it has almost negligible calories in respect to the number of nutrients it provides.

6. Green tea is a natural diuretic

It is also a natural diuretic, which makes it ideal for treating and combating fluid retention. Drinking green tea regularly can reduce the body fat up to 19 percent. Matcha tea is considered to be more nutritious as you dissolve and drink the tea leaves themselves.

7. The best time to drink green tea for weight loss

For weight loss, you can have green tea right after your meals. But you should do it if you do not have a sensitive stomach because green tea is alkaline in nature and stimulates the secretion of extra-gastric juices.

Experts also suggest to have green tea right in the morning and later in the evening. People who have sleep issues should avoid having green tea close to their bedtime.

source: TNN/timesofindia.indiatimes.com