You can drink green tea for weight loss as it is rich in catechins and caffeine, which are bioactive compounds with thermogenic properties that accelerate metabolism and promote fat burning.
One study [1] showed that green tea is capable of increasing body energy expenditure by 4%, which can favor fat burning and weight loss. If a person burns 2300 calories per day, green tea would increase this expenditure to 2392 calories, for example.
Scientifically known as Camellia sinensis, green tea has thermogenic, anti-obesity and diuretic properties, and can therefore be beneficial for managing bloating and losing weight, particularly when it is incorporated into a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Learn more about the health benefits of green tea and side effects associated with excessive use.
How to drink green tea to lose weight
Green tea can be prepared using leaves, teabags or powder- These can be purchased, health food stores, pharmacies or grocery stores.
The maximum recommended amount is between 2 and 4 cups of green tea per day, consumed between meals. For people with high blood pressure, the recommendation is to drink a maximum of 3 cups of green tea per day.
Green tea should not be consumed on a completely empty stomach to avoid irritation, nor should it be consumed with meals, as caffeine can reduce the absorption of nutrients, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C from food. It is important to avoid drinking this tea at night, as it can make it harder to fall asleep.
Also recommended: How Many Calories Do I Burn a Day? (w/ Online Calculator) tuasaude.com/en/how-many-calories-do-i-burn-a-day1. Green leaf tea
When prepare green tea from leaves, it is important to avoid using very hot water, as it can damage the catechins that promote weight loss.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
Boil the water, remove from heat and add the green tea leaves. Cover and let infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink.
Green tea should not be reheated as there is a higher risk for losing its properties. Therefore, green tea should be consumed immediately after preparing.
2. Green tea from a teabag
Another option is to drink green tea in the form of teabags, which can be more practical to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 1 green tea teabag
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
Place the green tea bag in a cup. Boil the water and pour it into the cup. Cover the cup, let it rest for 5 minutes and drink.
3. Green tea powder
Green tea powder is made from green tea leaves and is another practical option for preparing tea.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tablespoon of green tea powder
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
Boil the water, remove from heat and wait for it to cool slightly. Place in a cup and add the powdered green tea, mixing until the powder completely dissolves. To make the tea taste lighter, you can add more water.
Contraindications for use
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not drink green tea. It is also not advised for children or people with thyroid, kidney or liver problems, anemia, gastric ulcers, gastritis or insomnia.
Furthermore, green tea can interact with some medicines, such as anticoagulants, antihypertensives and high cholesterol medications. In these cases, green tea should only be consumed as advised by a medicinal plant specialist.
Possible side effects
Side effects are more likely to occur when green tea is consumed in excessive amounts, or if some people are more sensitive to .caffeine. Some of these side effects include headache, irritation, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, heartburn or heart palpitations.
Furthermore, excessive green tea intake can also decrease iron absorption and, in some cases, cause liver toxicity.
