What is the Connection Between Green Tea and Weight Loss?

Medical research has established a preliminary connection between the consumption of green tea and weight loss. Some studies have suggested that substances found in this tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensus plant, can potentially stimulate weight loss and lower cholesterol. Those considering gulping green tea in the hopes of achieving their dream physique, however, should understand that evidence supporting the link between green tea and weight loss is, as of 2010, still tentative.

While oolong, black, and green teas are all derived from the Camellia sinensus plant, of these only green tea is not fermented during processing. This lack of fermentation leaves green tea with a high percentage of antioxidants called catechins. It is these catechins which are thought to be responsible for spurring weight loss and lowering LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels.

The tentative connection between antioxidant-rich green tea and weight loss was initially established through studies performed on mice possessing the obesity gene. Research demonstrated that mice fed fodder containing green tea extract were less likely to gain weight than those that ate non-laced fodder. In addition, the green tea-consuming mice showed lower levels of LDL cholesterol than the control group.

Further support for the link between green tea and weight loss has been provided by a 2005 study which compared the effects of green tea and oolong tea consumption in humans. In this three-month study, one group of adult males drank a bottle of green tea each day, while another group consumed an identical amount of oolong tea. Both groups ate the same meals. At the experiment’s conclusion, individuals in the green tea group had lost approximately two more pounds than those in the oolong group. They also showed lower LDL cholesterol levels than the oolong drinkers.

Despite the promise suggested by these studies, researchers have not yet fully endorsed the use of green tea for weight loss. This is largely because the human populations tested have so far been small. Thus the alleged calorie-burning, cholesterol-busting properties of green tea must be demonstrated on a wider scale before it can be deemed a confirmed weight-loss tool.

Even in studies which do suggest a connection between green tea and weight loss, the exact science behind this link remains unclear. Until researchers understand whether green tea does in fact stimulate weight loss — and if so, how — they cannot recommend an exact tea dosage. Some preliminary investigations show that the tea may spur weight loss only in those who consume seven or more cups per day, a quantity that could prove prohibitively high for many.

Until more is learned about the science of green tea and weight loss, then, those hoping to sip away excess pounds should perhaps continue to rely on old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise. The good news is that green tea is generally considered harmless, and may even provide other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain types of cancer. Thus, while it has not yet been proven a weight loss tool, its consumption may contribute to overall well-being.