Green Tea Extract

Like all “true” teas, green tea is made from the leaves of the tea bush. The characteristics of the bush itself can vary from place to place, resulting in subtle differences between teas from various regions. The difference between green tea and the black tea that is more common in the West comes down to the process of oxidization. While black teas are fairly heavily processed, green teas have undergone minimal oxidization, giving them a milder character

Green tea has been used in traditional medicine for millennia. In China and India, it was used to counteract the effects of alcohol, control bleeding, and improve cardiovascular health. Some cultures also believe that it may help to regulate blood sugar, improve mental acuity, and even treat flatulence.

Like its cousin, black tea, green tea also contains caffeine, which some believe may help to boost the metabolism and stimulate weight loss. Because it contains less than half the caffeine of black tea, it may also be gentler on the system than other stimulants. Unfortunately, there have been no clinical trials studying the effects of this herb on those that are overweight.

Some scientists have also suggested that a group of chemical substances called polyphenols may help to stimulate weight loss. Studies have shown that these substances may block cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestine and speed its elimination from the body, lowering cholesterol levels.

Of course, the most valuable benefit of green tea extract may be its antioxidant properties, and once again we have polyphenols to thank. This substance attacks free radicals in the body and prevents them from causing cell damage or death. They have also been shown to fortify the body against environmental toxins such as pollution and cigarette smoke. Antioxidants can have significant long-term health benefits, including keeping the skin looking younger and even preventing certain cancers.

There are several diets currently floating around that claim to trigger weight loss using only green tea or green tea extract. While there is nothing necessarily harmful about them, it is quite unlikely that green tea alone will produce the significant results that dieters may be seeking. In order to get all of the antioxidant benefits of green tea, and lose weight in the process, consumers may want to look for a product that also contains advanced ingredients such as the appetite suppressant Hoodia Gordonii and the metabolism booster Bitter Orange. Like green tea, these are both completely natural, and have been shown to help dieters shed pounds and keep them off.

Better yet, consumers should investigate a close cousin to traditional teas, Yerba Mate. This plant has been shown to have many of the same benefits of green tea, and may even have a higher concentration of nutrients.

• Contains antioxidants
• Fairly affordable

• Acts as a stimulant
• May not work effectively as a weight loss supplement on its own

There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that green tea has a number of potential health benefits, and for this reason it makes a very attractive addition to any weight loss supplement. Unfortunately, it may not provide enough metabolism-boosting power on its own, and be advised it does contain caffeine.

Consumers who are looking to begin a weight loss program or break through a fitness plateau may want to consider a supplement that contains bitter orange to increase fat burning, as well as hoodia gordonii, an herb that has been shown to help dieters to control their food cravings. Whether they choose green tea or Yerba Mate, consumers are likely to be very grateful for a few extra antioxidants down the road.