Green tea is loaded with several benefits of antioxidants like catechins, EGCG in particular which helps promote fat oxidation, boost metabolic rate and also enhances immunity. The best time to drink green tea for weight loss is before or after half an hour of taking a meal. However, one can also consume the tea first thing in the morning to kickstart the digestion and boost energy levels or during evening time to promote satiety and for relaxation. Usually drinking 4 cups of green tea per day can help substantially with weight loss. Continue reading to find a detailed answer for your doubt of, when should I drink green tea for weight loss?.
What is the best time to have green tea for weight loss?
The best time to drink green tea for weight loss is before or after half an hour of a meal. Drinking it before the meal can suppress appetite, making you feel fuller and leading to smaller portion sizes. Consuming green tea after meals boosts metabolism and enhances fat oxidation due to caffeine and catechin. However, one can consume the herbal drink of green tea throughout the day such as during morning time which can boost digestion and also elevate your mood and concentration level because of the presence of caffeine and L-theanine. Enjoying green tea in the evening can also help maintain a stable metabolism without interfering with sleep. By timing your green tea consumption around these key moments, you can enhance your weight loss benefits.
After clearing out your doubt of when should I drink green tea for weight loss, let’s learn more on the benefits of drinking green tea for the same. For more sustainable and personalised results, you can Buy Weight Loss Plans.
Benefits of drinking Green Tea everyday for weight loss
- Increases fat burning during workouts
- Boost metabolism
- Zero Calorie drink
- Helps to lose abdominal fat
- Controls blood sugar and protects heart
- Boosts immunity
1. Increases fat burning during workouts
Green tea contains caffeine, a component known to stimulate fat burning. The drink is also rich in antioxidants called EGCG which is another component that accelerates the fat burning process especially during exercise. Consumption of green tea may boost norepinephrine which is the fat burning hormone which helps in mobilising fat from fat cells. Drinking 2 to 3 cups of green daily can effectively aid in weight loss. Now you may have a reasonable answer to your query of, When should I drink green tea for weight loss?
2. Boost metabolism
Several studies suggest that drinking green tea, with its presence of ECGC, can help boost resting metabolism which enables burning of calories even when the body is at rest. It is also known to enhance calorie burning by a rate of 3-4% every day. Green tea has shown excellent results in some in terms of boosting metabolism in the long run and assisting with fat burning.
3. Zero Calorie drink
The content of calories in green tea is no more than 5 in a single cup of 240 ml which makes it an excellent option to substitute with your sweetened beverages. Some studies also suggest that consumption of green tea after a meal can help promote satiety. Thus, it can help in reducing the consumption of calories and also keep overeating at bay. Hence, it also reduces the risk of being overweight or obesity. You may also settle your curiosity over, Is green tea good for weight loss?
4. Helps to lose abdominal fat
Green tea is renowned for its potential to aid in weight loss, particularly in reducing abdominal fat. This effect is primarily attributed to its rich content of catechins, potent antioxidants that have been shown to boost metabolism and increase fat burning. Specifically, the catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) enhances the body’s ability to oxidise fat, especially in the abdominal area. Green tea may help regulate blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which can further support weight management efforts. Incorporating green tea into a balanced diet and active lifestyle may thus contribute to reducing abdominal fat over time.
5. Controls blood sugar and protects heart
A NIH study published in 2013 points out that the population of Japan that heavily drank green tea stands a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and lower mortality rates of coronary heart disease. It is because green tea which is rich in ECGC has positive effects on glucose control and weight management. Moreover, high intake of tea is also linked to reducing the risk of coronary disease as it helps in lowering the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.
6. Boosts immunity
The content of green tea contains one type of polyphenol called a catechin with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) being abundantly present, which is an antioxidant. These antioxidants help protect the cell from radical damage and boosts overall immunity of the body that helps in warding off infections and illnesses. Antioxidants also help in reducing oxidative stress and drinking tea has been linked to reduced risk of certain cancers such as lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
Now that we have figured out the best time to drink green tea for weight loss and its various other benefits, let’s find out ways to add the herbal drink into our diet.
How to add Green Tea in daily diet plan for weight loss?
The various ways through which you can incorporate green tea is by consuming it post meals, as pre-workout or as an early morning drink to wake you up from the slumber and much more. Below mentioned are some of the ways to add green tea in your daily diet for weight loss-
1. Early morning tea
The best time to drink green tea for weight loss can be during early morning as it may help in enhancing your metabolic rate and promote fat oxidation because of the presence of catechins. Starting your day with green tea can also assist with healthy digestion and increase your energy levels. The presence of L-theanine which is an amino acid substantially contributes towards improving brain function facilitating better focus and concentration.
2. Substitute with sugary drinks
You can replace your sweetened beverages, sodas and sugary tea with green tea which is low in calories and also enhances satiety. Opting for green tea over sugary drinks can also benefit by preventing blood sugar spikes reducing hunger pangs and risk of type 2 diabetes.
3. Post-workout
Another one of the best time to drink green tea for weight loss can be post-workout as the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea can promote fat burning. The antioxidants in green tea help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation caused by intense exercise, promoting faster recovery and allowing for more consistent workout routines. You may also want to include green into your plan of How to lose 10 kg in 20 days.
4. With evening snacks
Choosing healthy snacks is essentially important to prevent overeating and unhealthy weight gain. You can supplement your healthy evening snacks with a relaxing cup of green tea that will promote satiety and keep you from binge eating.
5. Avoid adding sweeteners
To maximise the benefits of green tea, it is better to avoid adding any sweeteners such as white sugar as it can increase the calorie content. If you like your tea sweet, opt for natural sweeteners like honey and not more than a drop or two.
6. Experiment with other recipes
There are several healthy recipes that can be experimented by adding green tea which will enhance the fat burning process and add flavour to your taste buds. Some of these recipes include green tea and avocado smoothie, green tea with lemon and ginger or green tea cookies and brownies. Meanwhile you can also try your hands at the 30/30/40 rule for weight loss.
Expert Review on Best time to drink green tea for weight loss
Dr. Anshul Kumar is an expert nutritionist who emphasises on drinking green tea for weight loss before or post meals which can help promote satiety, boost metabolism and fat oxidation. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, EGCg to be precise, which helps in fat oxidation, enhance metabolic rate, mobilise fat from fat cells and reduce belly fat. The polyphenols present can also help protect the cells from the damage of free radicals and oxidative stress. To enhance the benefits of green tea, one should avoid added sugars and complement the tea with a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
References
“Can green tea preparations help with weight loss?” n.d. NCBI. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025876/.
“The effects of green tea consumption on metabolic and anthropometric indices in patients with Type 2 diabetes.” n.d. NCBI. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3908530/.
“Effects of green tea extract on overweight and obese women with high levels of low density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C): a randomised, double-blind, and cross-over placebo-controlled clinical trial – BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.” 2018. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-018-2355-x.
FAQs
1. When should I drink green tea for weight loss?
One can have green after their meals, unless they have a sensitive stomach. Experts also recommend consuming it during the morning and evening.
2. Can I drink green tea on an empty stomach?
One can consume green tea on an empty stomach, however it contains tannins and caffeine which can lead to acidity or stomach discomfort in some. In such cases, it should either be avoided or taken only after an expert’s consultation.
3. Can I drink green tea before bed to lose weight?
The thermogenic effect of green can boost resting metabolism and help you burn calories even when the body is at rest. The metabolic rate is also improved due to polyphenols and catechins which can further enhance fat burning.
4. How much weight can I lose if I drink green tea everyday?
Daily consumption of green tea along with a well balanced nutritious diet can help in losing around 1.5 kg of weight in 12 weeks. This can further be enhanced by adding workout to the routine.
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