Green Tea was discovered thousands of years ago in China. One day, as the Emperor Shen Nung boiled water, some dried leaves of this perennial, evergreen shrub, Camellia Sinensis, borne upon the breeze, floated down into his water vessel. Enjoying the taste the Emperor spread the news of his discovery. Green Tea became ever more popular and its benefits recognized.
Whether that story is myth or fact, scientific research has proven that Green Tea has many health benefits. These include the ability to stifle the growth of cancer cells, protect the skin from ultra violet rays, keep blood pressure down, reduce arterial plaque (heart protection), and cause weight loss. This article deals with the last of these benefits.
Scientists at the University of Geneva were the first modern researchers to link this amazing herb to weight loss. It was found that it contains extremely high levels of ECGC, a catechin or antioxidant.
ECGC increases the energy output or expenditure of the human body. This in turn stimulates the process of Thermogenesis i.e. burning of the fat cells through increased metabolic efficiency. It has been found that the metabolism can increase up to 4% more than the normal rate.
A further study carried out by Chinese scientists found evidence of further Green Tea weight loss benefits. Acting on the hypothesis that as the antioxidants stimulated the burning of fat cells through metabolic increase, then it might affect the amount of cholesterol produced by the body.
A study involving 240 volunteers with cholesterol levels ranging from mid to high showed the hypothesis to be well founded. After only three months those of the volunteers who had been given Green Tea showed a sixteen percent reduction in cholesterol levels. Those who did not take it showed no reduction.
Another study, looking at body fat reduction and weight loss, used 35 Japanese men as its sample. The men were split into two groups. For twelve weeks one group drank Oolong tea with an added 690 mgs of Green Tea extract. The other also drank Oolong tea but with only 22mgs of Green Tea extract added.
During the study period both groups ate identical meals and were instructed to control their intake of fat and calories so that all diets were similar and therefore could be measured accurately.
After the twelve weeks it was found that those in the group that took the higher level of Green Tea extract lost an average of 5.3 pounds. Those that used the lower level lost an average of only 2.9 pounds.
The study also revealed a significant reduction in LDL (the bad) cholesterol in those taking the higher level of Green Tea extract.
Countless other studies are showing all the time that this amazing plant is effective in weight loss as well as in many other ways regarding human health.
If you would like to learn more about using Green Tea to lose weight and improve your health, just visit the website link below.
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