General considerations about green tea and its role in weight loss

Green tea is a drink that has become increasingly popular, especially among people who adhere to a healthy lifestyle, because it is proven that the consumption of green tea has many health benefits.

Made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, steamed and dried, green tea can be found ready to drink in pill form or in powder, bags and leaves to be prepared at home.

Its consumption has become increasingly common as several studies have proven its role in helping people lose weight and various other benefits such as prevention of various types of diseases, aid in digestion and improved brain function.

Continue reading this text and check out the various benefits of green tea, the best ways to consume, as well as the contraindications and possible side effects.

Green tea, how to consume, to lose weight and contraindications

Green tea can be found in any market or pharmacy in the form of pills, sachets, powder or leaves. Its consumption can help in weight loss and prevention of various diseases.

However, it has some contraindications and, if consumed excessively, can trigger some side effects. Check it out below.

What is green tea

Green tea is a drink made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, which are steamed and dried. This type of preparation prevents the oxidation of the leaves and preserves the nutrients.

Thus, green tea is a beverage rich in caffeine and antioxidants, such as catechin and flavonoids, and because of this, its frequent consumption can help prevent various diseases, such as diabetes and even some types of cancer.

In addition, green tea is widely consumed by those who have a fast-paced routine and need help to study and exercise, because of its properties that help brain function and increase mood.

How to consume green tea

Green tea is easily found in stores, supermarkets and pharmacies. Its most common way of being consumed is using its leaves to make the drink hot or even iced.

However, it is also possible to find green tea ready for consumption in soluble powder, capsules or even in sachets. It is important to note that there are side effects from excessive consumption of green tea and also contraindications.

Thus, before you start consuming green tea on a regular basis, remember to first consult a doctor for guidance on the best way to consume it.

How to take green tea to lose weight

Green tea contains several compounds that can be used to help you lose weight. Being a natural diuretic, it helps in the elimination of excess fluid in the body, helping to reduce swelling, in addition to speeding up your metabolism assisting in burning body fat.

You can use green tea to lose weight by taking three to four cups of tea a day, about 30 to 60 minutes before meals, combining it with a balanced diet and exercise.

However, it is important to remember that in order not to irritate the stomach, it is recommended that you do not take green tea on an empty stomach or during meals so as not to hinder the absorption of nutrients.

Possible side effects of green tea

If taken in excess green tea can cause some possible side effects. Because it has a high concentration of caffeine, green tea can cause insomnia, irritability and agitation, as well as stomach burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting and changes in heartbeat.

In addition, if consumed in excess, green tea can reduce the absorption of several nutrients, including iron, which can be very dangerous for health and, in some cases, intoxication of the liver.

Therefore, it is important that you do not exceed the recommended daily consumption amounts of green tea.

Recommended amount of green tea

The recommended amount of green tea varies, depending on your nutritional needs, size, weight and other factors related to your health. Some scholars recommend consuming between three to four cups of tea a day, others recommend not exceeding six cups daily.

However, to avoid the side effects of excessive consumption of green tea, it is recommended that you do not exceed a daily consumption of 600ml of the tea, the equivalent of approximately four cups.

Anyway, the ideal is that you consult your doctor so that he analyzes and tells you what is the most suitable amount for you.

The risks of excessive consumption of green tea

Despite being a tea that brings several health benefits, excessive consumption of green tea can also bring several risks, such as increased anxiety, stomach irritation, which can develop into gastritis, insomnia and even liver poisoning.

Moreover, in large doses, green tea can hinder the absorption of various nutrients, especially iron, which can cause an even greater amount of problems such as anemia, for example.

Therefore, remember to consume this product within the recommended doses and consult your doctor before starting the daily consumption of green tea.

Contraindications to green tea consumption

Contraindications to green tea consumption extend to children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, as should also be avoided by those who have liver or kidney problems, anemia or stomach problems.

In addition, people with thyroid problems should also avoid it, because some studies prove that green tea can interfere with the functioning of this gland.

Because it contains caffeine, people who suffer from insomnia should use green tea with great caution or even avoid it if the problem is very acute. Otherwise, people who use medicines to control cholesterol, hypertension or anticoagulants should also avoid it.

The benefits of green tea

Green tea is a plant whose regular and balanced consumption can bring several health benefits. Catechins, flavonoids and other substances present in green tea that help reduce the risk of infections, heart disease and even cancer. Check it out below.

Slimming

Besides being a natural diuretic that helps reduce fluid retention and swelling, green tea has a substance called epigallocatechin gallate, a compound that accelerates energy expenditure and metabolism, thus increasing daily fat burning.

Thus, if consumed in the correct amount and combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, green tea is ideal to help you lose weight.

Moreover, because it contains caffeine, it will also help you to be more willing to do physical exercises.

Helps digestion

Green tea has substances that stimulate the production of stomach acids and help stimulate intestinal flora, aiding in the digestion of food.

However, it is important to remember that if consumed during meals, green tea can hinder the absorption of iron and other nutrients essential for the proper functioning of your body.

Therefore, ideally, you should wait for one hour after meals to consume green tea and make good use of its benefits.

Improves mood

Green tea has L-theanine, a substance that is responsible for the production of serotonin and dopamine. Both substances are important neurotransmitters that cause a feeling of well-being.

Moreover, daily consumption of green tea increases the production of alpha waves in the brain, which are responsible for bringing relaxation to your body. The flavonoids present in tea play an important role in helping reduce anxiety.

That being said, all these compounds that green tea contains will help improve your mood during the day.

Improves brain function

Regular consumption of green tea can bring about a noticeable improvement in brain function because it contains caffeine, a substance that improves the performance of the brain in cognitive tasks and tasks that require great concentration.

Furthermore, L-theanine and flavonoids, present in green tea, provide a feeling of relaxation, reducing anxiety and thus improving memory and concentration.

Thus, all of these substances help to increase energy and assist in tasks that require long-lasting cognitive performance.

Improves physical performance

Because it contains a reasonable amount of caffeine, green tea improves physical performance. Caffeine provides more energy, mood and concentration, essential for those who need to do physical exercises, both to lose weight and to improve quality of life.

Moreover, green tea is a thermogenic tea, which speeds up the functioning of the metabolism and increases the burning of calories.

So, if you are needing to exercise regularly but don't have the inclination to do so, try starting to drink green tea during the day and see the results.

Reduces the risk of cancer

Green tea contains a considerable amount of polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent the formation of free radicals, substances that can cause cell death. Thus, regular consumption of green tea helps reduce the risk of various types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer.

There are several studies that prove a satisfactory decrease in the chances of developing cancer in people who regularly consume green tea. It is important to emphasize that the decrease in these risks is due to the consumption of green tea combined with healthy lifestyle habits.

Reduces the risk of diabetes

Studies prove that the polyphenols present in green tea help balance glucose by making cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin. It is worth remembering that diabetes is a disease that causes the pancreas to not produce enough insulin to process the glucose molecules in the blood.

Thus, by increasing the sensitivity of cells to the effects of insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood, the risks of developing diabetes are reduced considerably.

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

Regular and balanced consumption of green tea reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as it helps to balance the levels of LDL (also known as bad cholesterol) in the blood. It also increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood and inhibits the formation of blood clots.

So, by consuming green tea on a regular basis, you will be decreasing the risks of developing various heart diseases and also the chance of having serious problems like heart attacks and strokes.

In addition, the flavonoids present in green tea and L-theanine decrease anxiety and increase the feeling of relaxation, protecting your heart from everyday stress as well.

Prevents neurodegenerative diseases

Green tea also has substances that help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Polyphenols present in good quantities in green tea bind to toxins and help protect the brain.

In addition, because it improves brain function and protects neurons, green tea is a great option for those who know they need to take care of their brain throughout life.

Fights infections

Daily consumption of green tea helps to eliminate various bacteria and viruses, thus fighting possible infections. The catechins found in green tea are important for improving oral health, as they hinder the growth of a bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Therefore, green tea also helps to prevent diseases such as colds and flu caused by Influenza A and B viruses because it strengthens the immune system, thus increasing your body's defenses.

Prepare green tea in leaves, powder or sachet

Green tea can be found in various forms on the market, such as capsules, leaves, powder or sachet. See below the ways to prepare this drink at home to consume it in your day to day.

Green tea leaves

To prepare green tea in leaves, you will need only:

1 teaspoon green tea leaves

1 cup of water

To prepare the tea, you just need to heat the water, add the green tea leaves and leave it covered, resting for a period of five to ten minutes. After that, just strain it, wait for it to warm up and it's ready for consumption.

It is important that you take care to only heat the water, not letting it boil, because too high a temperature can damage several nutrients present in green tea. Also take it right after preparation and do not reheat it so that it does not lose its nutritional properties.

Green tea powder

Green tea powder is a very practical form for consumption and also valid, because it is natural and made with the leaves of green tea. To prepare it you will need:

1/2 tablespoon green tea powder

1 cup of water

To begin, boil the water, turn off the heat and wait to warm up a little, then mix the water with the green tea powder in a cup until the powder is completely dissolved. After that, you can now consume it.

Green tea in sachet

The green tea bag is the most popular way to prepare this drink, because it can be found easily in any market or pharmacy. To prepare it you will need:

1 bag of green tea

1 cup of water

Start by putting the green tea in a cup. Boil the water and put it in the cup with the green tea bag. Then cover it and let the mixture sit for about five minutes. After that, the tea is ready for consumption.

Should I seek medical advice before taking green tea for weight loss?

Green tea is a very popular drink, both in Brazil and in other countries around the world. Its consumption is higher among people who are seeking to lose weight. However, it is important that you seek medical advice before taking green tea to lose weight.

After all, green tea is a plant with several chemical compounds that can do very well for health, but it is not indicated for people with insomnia, anxiety, pregnant and lactating women and people taking specific medications.

In addition, the exaggerated consumption of green tea can trigger various side effects such as stomach problems, irritability, anemia and others. The recommended dose of consumption will vary from person to person, depending on nutritional needs, weight and height, for example.

Therefore, before including green tea in your diet, seek advice from your doctor or nutritionist.