Green Tea for Weight Loss?
by Sue Roberts

Green tea has become quite popular among people trying to lose weight. In large part this is due to all the media attention it has received lately. Despite its popularity, is green tea really effective as a weight loss aid?

Green tea is actually made from the same plant as black tea, however green tea is not as highly processed. It is theorized that the possible weight-reducing property of green tea is due to its ability to speed up metabolism, although this is only a slight effect.

One research study done on green tea found that when the tea extract was standardized to contain 25% epigallocatachin (EGCG), it did help with weight loss. So when shopping for green tea, look for products that have EGCG on their label.

EGCG is a catachin, one type of antioxidant known as a polyphenol. Be careful, though, because in addition to 375mg catechin (of which 270mg was EGCG) that the green tea contained, it also had 150 mg caffeine. Thus, common caffeine side effects may be seen in people drinking large amounts of green tea; effects such as nervousness, irritability sleeplessness and high blood pressure.

In order to make green tea more potent, pills have been manufactured which contain, among other ingredients, green tea extract. Typical dosages of this form are 150 mg three times daily. Some of these tested samples have been shown to contain lead, so be sure and do your homework prior to purchasing. Buy a reputable brand so you are assured of buying a quality product.

Drinking large amounts of green tea or taking the extract-containing pills should be used cautiously in any person also taking blood thinning medications, such as coumadin. Green tea does contain vitamin K, which can interfere with the drug working correctly.

The bottom line is this--green tea is probably a safe supplement, particularly if brewed and consumed as a tea. If you like its taste, great, but don’t count on it to be a solution to your weight loss woes!

Copyright  May 4, 2007  Sue Roberts, MPH MS RD/CN
As a certified nutritionist and registered dietitan for over 20 years, Sue is passionate about helping you become your healthiest ever! She provides completely confidential online nutrition counseling, wellness coaching and education services at www.YourOnlineNutritionist.com

Your Online Nutritionist
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