Green tea has been used for centuries and still remains one of the most popular teas in China and contains powerful antioxidants which may help fight against heart disease, cancers and other diseases.  More recently studies have shown that green tea is also beneficial to weight loss.

One of the most recent studies which appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed people who drank a bottle of green tea extract everyday for three months lost more body fat than the participants who drank regular tea.

It is thought the chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in green tea raises the metabolism while also releasing the hormone noradrenaline which is an appetite suppressant.

The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also indicated the consumption of catechins in green tea lead to both reduced body fat and LDL cholesterol levels.

Now that you know the many benefits of green tea, just how do you need to drink to lose weight?

Based on the recent research you would need to consume at least 4 cups of green tea daily to see any results.  There are now also green tea supplements on the market which provide higher concentrated doses of green tea in a capsule form.  The quality of the supplements will vary so it’s best to do your research. 

But you don’t really need to take supplements to receive all the benefits of green tea.  Try replacing your daily cups of coffee or regular tea with green tea.  It’s also a good drink in between meals which may help satisfy your hunger pangs while providing your body with a good dose of antioxidants.

There are so many benefits to drinking green tea that weight loss is really just the icing on the cake.  This is one great way to stay healthy while shedding a few excess pounds.

We’ve all been told that cutting calories will help us lose weight; however, where your calories come from matters almost as much as how many you get.  While low fat has always been toted as the best way to go, there are many other types of food that are helpful in losing weight as well.

Fresh, unprocessed foods
If you think about it, our bodies were designed to eat natural foods.  Our digestive systems have evolved over many years; preservatives and artificial chemicals have existed for a comparatively short amount of time.  The foods our bodies digest and use most efficiently are natural and unprocessed.  This is why you should try eating fresh foods as much possible.  It is also recommended that many of these foods be eaten raw because it preserves the healthy active enzymes in fruits and vegetables.

Dairy
Incorporating low fat dairy products into your diet helps you lose weight faster than just cutting calories.  A good way to get enough dairy is through yogurt.  Not only do they usually come in portioned controlled cups; yogurt also contains good bacteria that helps improve your overall health.

Low sugar 
When you eat sugar, your body’s response is to immediately release insulin to lower your blood sugar levels.  With high-sugar foods, your body can overreact to glucose levels and produce too much insulin.  This lowers your blood sugar; making you hungry again much sooner than low sugar foods.  Instead of sugary snacks, choose foods higher in protein and fiber.  These foods absorb more slowly, making you feel full longer.

Spicy foods
When we eat foods that are really spicy, we tend to eat less.  Some studies suggest that appetite suppression is due to capsaicin, a chemical found in many spicy foods.  Others attribute this effect to strong flavor of these foods being less palatable. 

While cutting calories and getting appropriate amounts of exercise are both important, incorporating some of these foods into your diet may just give you the boost you need to finally shed those extra pounds.