Debunked
It’s befittingly apt that I am nestling a freshly brewed cuppa of this ‘stuff’ in one hand as I type with the other J “They” refer to it as the “elixir of life”. Really?
If Green Tea is indeed the magical potion that it’s purported to be, I reckon the human race has consumed enough of it to be Super-beings.
Green Tea is touted to be the au naturel way to ridding your body of the blubber it’s gained. But this is far from accurate. Green Tea contains Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit the accumulation of body fat by suppressing lipogenesis (fat building). Catechins, another ingredient of Green tea is known to interfere with intestinal absorption of lipids (fats) and is therefore lipid lowering in nature. Further, the caffeine in Green Tea promotes thermogenesis (heat production) in the body, which enhances energy expenditure and fat oxidation. BUT …
A cup or even a few cups of Green tea alone is not sufficient at all to show significant improvements in one’s body weight. This has been proven through several randomized controlled trial studies. A 1999 study conducted Dr. Dulloo at the University of Geneva found that green tea boosted energy expenditure by 4%. It translates into that if one burns 2,000 calorie a day, Green tea would be responsible to about 80 of those calories. The same energy provided by a small banana! So if you expect green tea to work its magic, you would be disappointed.
But don’t disregard it completely! The pros of incorporating Green tea into a lifestyle which has a healthy, wholesome diet and plenty of moderate-intense level exercise are many. So my advice – when you get home this evening, put the kettle to boil, pull out your favorite mug and brew yourself a cuppa Green tea. Let the air fill with the pleasant aroma of the steeping tea and allow your senses to awaken and laze as you watch that pale golden hued liquid. Sense the stillness as you unwind because really, nothing comes close to this feeling J
Juggling many roles from physician to writer to pilates instructor to Marketing-PR executive, Dr. Daamini is constantly pushed and inspired to get creative on how to encompass a Retreat into her daily life.
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