A healthy metabolism is one of the primary factors which determines how easily you will be able to lose weight. The more efficiently your metabolism runs, the more fat you will burn at rest naturally, making it significantly easier to fall into a calorie deficit which is vital for actually losing the pounds. Green tea has been proven to enhance your metabolism, allowing your body to run more smoothly and burning through fat at a faster rate for weight loss. Medical News Today reports, “Green tea contains caffeine and a type of flavonoid called catechin, which is an antioxidant. Research suggests that both of these compounds can speed up metabolism. Catechin can help to break down excess fat, while both catechin and caffeine can increase the amount of energy the body uses.”
Not only has green tea been proven to improve your metabolism, but studies have also shown it has garnered visible weight loss results. One Oklahoma State University study revealed that people who drank 4 cups of green tea a day over 8 weeks were able to lose 1.3 pounds more than the participants who drank only water. And not only will green tea bolster your weight loss results, but it can also provide hydration which is vital for the proper function of your body overall.
The antioxidants found in green tea make it particularly useful for increasing fat burn, and Healthline notes, “The main antioxidant in tea, EGCG, can help inhibit an enzyme that breaks down the hormone norepinephrine. When this enzyme is inhibited, the amount of norepinephrine increases, promoting fat breakdown. In fact, caffeine and EGCG — both of which are found naturally in green tea — may have a synergistic effect.”
Combining green tea with a well-balanced diet and exercise plan has the potential to help you reach your weight loss goals and feel great in your body without an overload of caffeine. Boosting your metabolism and increasing fat burn will allow you to maintain a calorie deficit with ease, so drinking a cup or two of green tea throughout your day instead of an energy drink or even in replacement of a cup of water is one of the easiest ways to streamline your healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to sideline your morning cup of coffee to lose weight, but adding green tea to your diet can make all the difference.