Is Green Tea Your Secret Weapon for Boosting Metabolism?

Maintaining a healthy diet is key to longevity and overall well-being. The food we consume can have various effects on our bodies, both positive and negative.

If you're aiming to rev up your metabolism and shed some pounds, incorporating specific foods known for their metabolism-boosting properties is essential. Among these, green tea, long revered in Asian cultures like China and Japan, stands out.

One of the most notable benefits of green tea is its ability to accelerate metabolism, aiding in weight loss and reducing body mass index. Scientific studies over time have supported these claims.

But is there a right way to consume green tea?

According to nutrition experts, the answer is yes. The ideal daily consumption of green tea to aid in metabolism is three cups daily, never exceeding five. "Drinking a cup of tea can increase calorie burning by 10% within an hour," notes Dr. Michael Greger in his book "How Not to Die."

Consuming green tea between meals is recommended, ideally one hour after eating to avoid interference with iron absorption. Therefore, incorporating a large cup of green tea after the three main meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—could be a beneficial practice.

Green Tea's Lesser-Known Benefits

While green tea is primarily recognized for its weight management properties, it offers numerous other benefits to our metabolism, all backed by science. These benefits are largely attributed to its polyphenol content, particularly flavonoids, comprising 30-40% of its composition.

One lesser-known yet significant benefit of green tea is its association with a reduced risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, cognitive decline, and Parkinson's. Researchers attribute this to the bioactive components of green tea, including polyphenols, theanine, and caffeine, as revealed in a study published in Age and Ageing.

Furthermore, green tea consumption has been linked to a lower risk of various cancers, including skin, lung, mouth, liver, breast, esophagus, stomach, and prostate. While more research is needed to conclusively prove these associations, the antioxidant properties of green tea may help protect cells from DNA damage, according to experts from cancer.gov.

Got questions about history, trivia, facts or anything else?

Follow us on social media! Send us your questions, and we might answer them here on the site.
-@AskEverestFS
-Ask Everest