Weight loss is a wide-reaching topic of conversation, from the oldest among us, to athletes still in school. While fat cells themselves are not the enemy, and provide a necessary source of fuel and protection in the body, there are a host of health conditions that naturally arise from obesity and being even moderately overweight, including heightened blood sugar levels, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and a lower quality of life. Happily, there are plenty of effective ways to go about reducing body weight, some of which are as simple as selecting the proper foods and drinks.
See: green tea.
Green tea has been utilized longer than the written word has been in use, and is a staple in traditional medicinal practices such as Ayurveda. It is only somewhat recently that western medicine has stepped in and taken note of what traditional cultures have suggested for centuries: that green tea is an invaluable tool in supporting health and offers a range of health benefits that include maintaining healthy weight. Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants, catechins, and phytochemicals, all of which can be used on a daily basis to improve general health and wellness.
How does green tea help with weight loss?
The caffeine and catechins in green tea leaves are the primary source of the weight loss properties of green tea. While green tea has been considered a healthy drink for thousands of years, it is only recently that science has backed up that claim. With a bit of hot water and a handful of green tea leaves, people can enjoy boosts not only to the immune system, but also to the metabolism, liver, and cardiovascular system.
Because we are focusing on the weight loss related benefits of green tea, it is important to highlight a study published in Nature, a prestigious journal, that demonstrated the value of green tea for boosting metabolism and burning fat. Different factors can influence the exact degree of efficacy of these components, but even with these factors at play, green tea does act as a fairly reliable recipe for weight loss.
Green Tea Recipes for Weight Loss
Green tea alone is simple enough: heated water and green tea leaves. However, there are numerous ways to include green tea in your diet that do not rely solely upon throwing together a few cups of water and tea leaves. A healthy diet is one filled with variety and enjoyment, and learning different ways to incorporate green tea into your diet can help you reap the benefits of green tea while maintaining a healthy and exciting relationship with food.
Changes to your metabolic rate will vary from person to person, but by using green tea regularly and focusing on high-quality ingredients, you may be able to ward off heart disease, cholesterol levels, excess weight, and liver disease in one fell swoop.
1. FINE USA Green Tea & Coffee Diet
The FINE USA green tea and coffee diet combines finely-ground green tea leaves and coffee to generate a product that combines the value of the catechins found in green tea and the chlorogenic acid found in coffee. The combination of these two components can be a powerful boost to the fat burning process. Our signature product is both tasty and easy to drink, and combines the arousing aroma of coffee with the refreshing flavor of green tea.
Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenol, with ties to the prevention of metabolic syndromes and, consequently, a decreased risk of weight gain and even a decreased risk of heart disease. Animal studies determined that even individuals eating high-fat diets saw benefits when being treated with chlorogenic acid.
Catechin is a phenol found in green tea purported to offer weight loss benefits. In one study, consuming a green tea extract had positive effects on the process of weight loss and overall weight management, including changes to BMI, body weight, and waist circumference--all of which can be implicated in the development of metabolic disorders.
Many weight loss products out there add stress to the body and ultimately may do as much harm as they do good, but the green tea and coffee diet is gentle on the body, and provides fat-boosting nutrients rather than causing depletion. The diet is not recommended for anyone who is intolerant to coffee or green tea.
The coffee and green tea diet is delivered in easy-to-use packets that can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Whether you use one packet a day as your morning pick-me-up, or you opt for three packets a day to accompany meals and truly light a fire under your goal of reaching a healthy weight, our coffee and green tea diet offers convenience and efficacy in a simple format.
2. Green Tea Recipe with prepackaged tea bags
The simplest way to include green tea in your daily diet is to make yourself a good, old-fashioned cup of green tea. Boil a cup of water and let it cool to 80*C to 85*C. Pour the water into a cup and dip a bag of green tea into the water. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes, remove the bag, and enjoy!
Although reaping the benefits of green tea may seem complicated, it really is that simple: by drinking as little as 3-4 cups of tea per day (or 24-32 ounces), you may experience amazing benefits that include weight loss, improved cognitive function, and cardiovascular health, and a decreased risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
3. Iced Green Tea
Iced green tea follows the same basic format as hot tea, but instead of stopping at several 2-4 cups water and steeping the tea in hot water, you complete the process above, then add ice cubes once the water has cooled to lukewarm.
Alternatively, if you do not want to wait until the tea has cooled, you can use two parts tea to one part water, and immediately add a hefty amount of ice to the mixture. The melting ice will make up the difference in water, and you can more quickly enjoy your iced green tea.
Sugar, honey, and artificial sweetener (non-caloric) are options you can use to flavor your tea. Unsweetened iced green tea can provide plenty of cooling energy on a hot day, however, and sweeteners are not necessary to make tea a palatable option. Adding a splash of lemon or lime juice or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can add a spicy taste to your ice green tea and deepen the flavor of the beverage.
Hot or cold, the caffeine level of green tea remains the same.
4. Green Tea Smoothie
Green tea smoothies offer additional benefits that green tea alone does not confer, including controlling blood pressure, boosting immunity, and providing plenty of fiber while being low-sodium and gluten-free. This delicious smoothie is made with the following ingredients:
- White grapes
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Honey
Place a cup of green tea into a blender, along with a handful of grapes, an avocado, a handful of spinach, and a spoonful of honey. Add ice to the level of your preference, and blend! The smoothie is both beneficial and refreshing and boasts a mild flavor profile.
5. Green Tea Lemonade
Green tea lemonade also packs a stronger punch than green tea alone, with benefits including increased energy levels and positive effects on the brain, heart, and immune system. With a total prep time of only 8 minutes, green tea lemonade is a great offering in the summer, or on afternoons and evenings when you want to enjoy the taste and benefits of green tea with a twist. To make green tea lemonade, gather each of the ingredients below:
- 1 green tea bag
- Sugar, honey, or other sweetener of your choice
- Cold water
- Ice
- Lemon or lemon juice
Once you have gathered your ingredients, boil the water for tea, and steep the tea for 3 minutes. When 3 minutes have passed, remove the bag and pour the lemon juice, cold water, sugar, and ice into a glass and stir. You can make various variations on this simple drink by adding herbal simple syrups, including a basil simple syrup or a lavender simple syrup.
6. Green tea with lemon and ginger
For another twist on traditional green tea, consider green tea with lemon and ginger, which has been linked to improvements in digestion, inflammation, blood sugar spikes, and depressed immunity. The combination of green tea, lemon, and ginger can be wonderful for cold, blustery days, or can be an excellent tonic for days when you are feeling under the weather. In less than fifteen minutes from start to finish, you can create a simple, healing concoction. Ingredients include:
- 1 green tea bag
- Lemon juice
- Ginger
- Water
Steep a tea bag in hot water for 3 minutes. Ginger can be added at the same time (grated or in slices), or may be added after the tea has steeped. At the conclusion of your tea's 3 minutes, add a splash of lemon juice and, if you elect to wait until the tea has steeped, the ginger.
This particular drink can be enjoyed hot or cold. If you elect to drink it hot, finish here. If you prefer a cold drink, allow the tea to cool, and add ice cubes.
We hope you enjoy drinking each one of these 6 refreshing green tea recipes!
