Green Tea diet: Review

Green tea has, for centuries, been touted as the natural cure for a host of bodily malfunctions and maladies. Particularly in the Asian countries of the world where the benefits of green tea first originated from, the consumption of the beverage is a natural part of daily life. Green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, and, unlike other teas, its leaves are not fermented prior to drying. Green tea is said to contain high amounts of antioxidants, a natural plant chemical beneficial to humans.
With its surge in popularity in the western part of the world, green tea has been hotly touted as the new weight loss tool. Clinical trials have been conducted to determine the actual benefit of green tea as a diet aid, and results are conflicting. An Asian test however, resulted in a finding that the consumption of green tea reduces body fat, although it can be difficult for consumers to have faith in a test performed in a country where large amounts of money are made from the green tea trade.

The actual connection between green tea and weight loss is sketchy, but many Green Tea diet advocates point to green tea's ability to increase thermogenesis, the production of heat in the body and a process that requires the use of calories. Other followers say it is the high amount of antioxidants, which is unlikely, and still others say that the green tea somehow increases the metabolism. Whatever the reason, those who follow the Green Tea diet proudly advocate its contribution to weight loss.

Is however, the Green Tea diet yet another exotic beverage-based weight loss fad? Or is it a safe, effective means of reducing poundage? Here's out take on the Green Tea diet:

The Green Tea diet

CATEGORYSCORECOMMENTS

COST:* * 1 pound of green tea is about $40.
The costs of the green tea diet all depends on how strong you like your
tea, and how many cups a day you
drink.


GETTING STARTED: * * * * Buy green tea, heat water, steep,
enjoy; it's as simple as that (two to
ten times a day).

STICKING WITH IT: * to * * * *How much do you like green tea? If
you find you've actually been a
green tea lover all these years then
you should have no problem
sticking with the Green Tea diet.
Hopefully though, you love it
enough to drink at least two mugs of
it a day for the rest of your life.

BUSY LIFESTYLE: * * *It takes time for water to heat and tea
to steep, but this can easily be done
at the office, or at home, with the tea
tagging along in a Thermos.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: * * *The Green Tea diet shouldn't
interfere with any aspect of familial
goings-on, but those who are
pregnant, about to become pregnant,
or who are breast-feeding should
first seek the advise of their doctor
before consuming green tea.

POTENTIAL: *The potential to drink lots and lots
of caffeine, get the jitters, or stay up half the night is high, while the potential to lose weight is very, very low.

HEALTH and SAFETY: * * The Green Tea diet isn't necessarily
great for you or even beneficial, but
then again, it isn't necessarily unsafe
either, as long as you're not
consuming a high amount of caffeine
or drinking the tea instead of
consuming nutritious meals or beverages.

Other than antioxidants, green tea has no nutritional value, not even energy in the form of calories because sugar should never be added to it. It does contain caffeine in an amount comparable to coffee, but many Green Tea dieters drink as many as 5 to 10 cups of green tea a day, and that's a lot of caffeine and absolutely no nutrition. However, green tea is not a dangerous weight loss elixir-although pregnant or nursing women should consult with their doctor before consuming it-and a few cups a day aren't going to cause any damage. Green tea should not though, take the place of healthful, balanced meals or beverages that provide necessary nutrients. Those with sensitivities to caffeine or certain allergies should use caution when consuming green tea.

Bottom Line:
Drinking green tea isn't going to give you the body of your dreams, unless of course you're drinking it in addition to eating healthful meals and exercising everyday. You may lose a few pounds from drinking a caffeinated beverage instead of something with calories, and the antioxidants in green tea are beneficial to the body, but the Green Tea diet is, as many such diets are, nothing more than weight loss hoopla. Consult with a doctor before introducing the Green Tea diet into your lifestyle.