The 3p cup of tea that could help blast dangerous fat in the body
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A tasty hot drink could help aid weight loss efforts and even lower your risk for associated health conditions, a study has found. This popular beverage could be anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering, and it costs as little as 3p per cup. Research, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, advised the consumption of catechin-enriched green tea for this very reason. Catechin is a compound naturally found in tea leaves that has antioxidant properties.
Green and white teas are known to contain the highest amount of catechins. In this study, 104 adults (aged between 20 and 65) were randomly assigned to consume either a beverage containing 609.3 milligrams (mg) of catechins and 68.7mg caffeine, or a control beverage every day for 12 weeks.
Abdominal fat area, body weight and composition were measured at the start, on week eight and week 12. It was concluded those who drank the catechin and caffeine filled drinks saw a significant reduction in visceral fat as well as overall weight. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is fat that is stored deep in the belly. A small amount is needed to protect and insulate your organs but having too much is linked to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Study authors explained: “Average visceral fat area, body weight, and body fat were reduced significantly by catechin-enriched green tea treatment but these effects were not seen in the control group with per-protocol sets analysis. “The decrease at week 12 in the visceral fat area in the catechin group was greater than that in the control group. Thus, consumption of the catechin-enriched green tea beverage for 12 weeks induced visceral fat loss in Chinese adults with a high proportion of abdominal visceral fat.”.
