Best green tea for weight loss in 2023
Green tea has been used since ancient times for its physical health benefits and calming effects.
Modern scientific studies support these age-old beliefs, and many people tout their positive effects on weight control and loss by boosting metabolism and energy.
Read on to discover how green tea can help you lose weight, or check out our collection of the best teas for weight loss.
Teas and infusions for weight loss >>
Does green tea really help you lose weight?
Green tea is one of the most popular weight loss aids on the market. You'll often find it in capsules as green tea extract, and there's even a green tea diet where participants drink several cups of green tea a day to lose weight more quickly.
To understand how green tea affects weight loss, we must examine the science behind this type of tea. Green tea is made from the leaves of the tea plant, whose botanical name is Camellia sinensis . The leaves are minimally processed and sold in bulk, in tea bags, or in powder form.
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Chemical components in green tea
Green tea leaves contain small amounts of theine and an amino acid known as L-theanine. Theine helps increase energy, which can help increase the intensity of physical exercise. L-theanine slows the release of theine, resulting in a smoother and more sustained energy boost. This means you won't experience the highs and lows associated with the caffeine in a cup of coffee.
Green tea leaves are also packed with antioxidants known as polyphenols and catechins. The main catechin is called EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, and it has been shown to increase fat oxidation to help eliminate body and belly fat.
A published study found that EGCG signals the body to burn fat cells. Essentially, drinking green tea helps signal the body that fat no longer needs to be stored and should be consumed for energy.
This catechin in tea also helps the liver convert body fat into energy more efficiently. Researchers found that people who drank tea and exercised lost more weight than those who simply exercised.
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The best green tea for weight loss
When it comes down to it, all green teas offer some kind of weight loss benefit. The difference between the different types is primarily based on their higher or lower levels of theine, L-theanine, and antioxidants. The concentration of these components varies depending on the cultivation method and subsequent processing.
1. Matcha green tea
Matcha green tea is king when it comes to weight loss aids. Green tea leaves are stone-ground into a fine powder. Instead of removing the leaves after brewing, in matcha tea, the tea leaf is consumed whole.
This green tea powder contains the highest concentration of healthy compounds , including EGCG. It also offers the most weight loss benefits.
Matcha green tea offers a slightly vegetal and floral flavor with a hint of sweetness. It can help satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you away from diet-destroying snacks and sweets.
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Matcha Tea Helps Lose Weight, Increases Energy and Relaxation
2. Sencha green tea
Sencha green tea is the most famous traditional tea in China and Japan. It's the tea served in most restaurants and is revered for its delicate flavor.
Sencha contains catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have positive effects on fat oxidation and increased energy expenditure. These processes may contribute to weight loss by improving metabolism.
Some studies suggest that drinking green tea, such as Sencha, can help regulate blood sugar levels, which is important for controlling cravings and maintaining stable energy levels.
3. Green tea with ginger
Ginger is a well-known appetite suppressant that can help you feel full between meals.
Ginger can also help control blood sugar and prevent overeating. Ginger helps reduce cortisol and prevent stress-induced eating.
Ginger green tea has a unique blend of sweet, vegetal flavor with spicy undertones. This tea offers an invigorating aroma that can awaken your senses and refocus your mind when you're feeling down.
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4. Genmaicha green tea
Genmaicha green tea is one of the most unique Japanese green teas. The green tea leaves are blended with rice grains and roasted in large pans. This produces a green tea with a roasted, full-bodied flavor.
Genmaicha tea can help you feel fuller for longer thanks to its combination of healthy tea compounds and rice grains. The rich, roasted flavor also increases body temperature, prompting the body to burn fat stores.
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Use organic loose green tea
Both loose tea and powdered tea, such as matcha, offer more potent health benefits than tea bags. This is because tea bags contain broken leaves and tea leaf debris rather than whole leaves. This means you also miss out on healthy compounds, such as EGCG, that are responsible for the tea's weight loss benefits.
If you also use organic green tea, you'll be receiving all the benefits of tea without the harmful effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on your health. You can learn why it's important to drink organic tea in our article , "Why Organic Tea?"
How to drink green tea to lose weight
The Chinese and Japanese drink green tea with every meal to aid digestion and promote overall health . Drinking green tea with every meal can help you feel full more quickly and consume fewer calories . The polyphenols and catechins in tea speed up the metabolic rate and cause the body to burn fat more quickly and efficiently.
Add a cup of hot or cold green tea to every meal for best results. Most experts recommend drinking the tea with every meal. You can also start your day and kick-start your metabolism by drinking a cup of green tea first thing in the morning. But remember not to do so on an empty stomach, as the tannins in green tea can cause stomach pain or constipation.
To prepare green tea correctly, you should use hot water, but never boiling, specifically around 80°C. Pay close attention to the steeping time, which should be 1-2 minutes. After this time, the green tea can become bitter and lose its delicious flavor. If you opt for matcha tea, you can read our guide at the following link.
Add green tea to your daily routine to lose weight
Adding tea to your diet is a fun and tasty way to achieve your health goals. Green tea is especially helpful in speeding up your metabolic rate and increasing your body's fat-burning capacity . The benefits of green tea for weight loss include increased fat burning, a boosted metabolism, and faster satiety.
If you want to drink a delicious beverage that combines the weight loss benefits of matcha tea and sencha green tea, combined with other natural ingredients such as mate and turmeric, try our Organic Fat Burning Infusion .
