Green Tea - Is It Worth It?

Healthy. That seems to be the word of the day. Everybody is trending toward a more healthy lifestyle and healthier eating habits. Integrated into the new healthy lifestyle is the desire to lose excess weight. Initially the majority of individuals look toward commercial products to help achieve this goal. However, also with the desire to become healthier, more and more people are turning toward a more holistic approach.

Green Tea to Aid in Weight Loss

Green tea is a noted ingredient in a number of over-the-counter diet pills for a good reason. With scientific testing it has been proven that green tea is beneficial in blocking the absorption of fat and in burning excess calories. The liver synthesizes food into triglycerides which is moved through the bloodstream to the remainder of the body as a necessary energy source.

When the body produces excessive levels of triglycerides, it is then converted to fat, which leads to obesity. Green tea is comprised of high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants. Both these ingredients tend to boost the body's metabolism which in turn gives weight loss a boost by moving fat through the bloodstream for fuel.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Weight loss is only one of the benefits of drinking green tea. Additional studies have indicated that green tea is heart healthy. The antioxidants act as dilators which improve the blood vessels flexibility which in turn help in the resistance of clogging. Another heart healthy benefit is the lowering of the LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Both situations make for a happy heart.

While most studies have been completed under laboratory settings only, they have been shown to deter cancer cell growth and to kill the cells altogether. One study in Japan did find that high consumption of green tea before and after surgery for Stage I and Stage II breast cancer did produce a lower cancer recurrence.

An additional Chinese study reflected that the higher the green tea consumption the lower the chances of developing a variety of cancers such as; stomach, esophageal, colorectal and prostate cancer.

Additional Green Tea Benefits

The benefits of green tea don't stop t there. This beverage has been shown to contribute to healthier skin, improve mental functions, cultivate better digestion as well as slow the process of aging.

While the verdict is still out regarding the amount of green tea that needs to be taken it is the general consensus that anywhere from two to four cups or more daily is recommended to reap the benefits.