| Caffeine has often been shown to help speed up | | | | low caffeine consumers than on those who |
| metabolism, giving it possibilities as a weight loss | | | | consumed larger amounts of caffeine. The low |
| supplement. However, the problem with using | | | | caffeine consumers who took the EGCG/caffeine |
| caffeine as a weight loss supplement is that most of | | | | supplement during weight maintenance continued to |
| our bodies are accustomed to some caffeine intake, | | | | lose weight, lose body fat and show an increased |
| so it may require a significant amount to have any | | | | metabolism. However, in the high caffeine consumers, |
| effect. And for some, such a large dosage of | | | | the EGCG/caffeine supplement appeared to have no |
| caffeine can have side effects. | | | | effect during the weight maintenance period. |
| Some supplement manufacturers attempted to get | | | | So, what does this mean to your diet? Well, it |
| around this problem by combining caffeine with other | | | | certainly means that people who don't habitually |
| supplements purported to enhance weight loss, such | | | | consume large amounts of caffeine could benefit, in |
| as ephedrine. With this particular combination, users | | | | terms of weight loss, from increasing their caffeine |
| did experience weight loss, but the side effects of | | | | consumption. |
| ephedrine proved very dangerous, sometimes even | | | | In addition, when you combine this research with |
| causing death by heart failure. | | | | results from other studies on green tea's effect on |
| So, ephedrine has since been banned in the United | | | | weight loss, it suggests that green tea may be the |
| States. | | | | right way to increase your caffeine intake, particularly |
| However, there may still be hope for using caffeine | | | | if you're caffeine sensitive. |
| in conjunction with other supplements to achieve | | | | Green tea's caffeine does not appear to raise the |
| weight loss. The most promising is green tea's most | | | | heart rate and blood pressure the way other |
| potent anti-oxidant, EGCG. | | | | caffeinated substances can, so it is better tolerated |
| Green tea alone has been shown to promote fat | | | | by those who are sensitive to caffeine. |
| loss, speed up metabolism and even inhibit the | | | | In addition, it's important to note that the EGCG |
| absorption of dietary fat. However, it appears that | | | | caffeine supplement used in this study did not supply |
| when green tea is combined with additional caffeine, | | | | an inordinate amount of caffeine. The caffeine |
| it may have even more impact on your ability to lose | | | | supplement was just 150 mg of caffeine, roughly |
| weight. | | | | equivalent to the amount you would find in a cup of |
| Green tea contains caffeine; however, its caffeine | | | | green tea. |
| content is significantly lower than that of black tea, | | | | Other studies have shown that green tea has the |
| coffee and colas. So, most of green tea's weight loss | | | | ability to increase weight loss more than its mere |
| effect is contributed to its anti-oxidant level rather | | | | caffeine content would suggest. Some studies have |
| than its caffeine level. | | | | compared the weight loss of those who consumed |
| Bearing that in mind, researchers decided to evaluate | | | | green tea to those who consumed the same amount |
| how green tea might affect weight loss and weight | | | | of caffeine found in green tea through other |
| maintenance if it was combined with an additional | | | | beverages. |
| dose of caffeine, similar to that in coffee or cola. In | | | | In these studies, the participants who consumed |
| addition, researchers evaluated how the results | | | | green tea lost more weight than those who |
| differed between subjects who were already | | | | consumed the same amount of caffeine from other |
| consuming large amounts of caffeine compared to | | | | beverages, suggesting that it's not just the caffeine |
| those who consumed small amounts of caffeine. | | | | in green tea that makes it a good weight loss |
| The study evaluated 76 overweight and moderately | | | | supplement. |
| obese people. The participants were placed on a low | | | | Studies have shown that the EGCG in green tea can |
| calorie diet for 4 weeks. Following the diet period, | | | | promote fat oxidation and inhibit the absorption of |
| they were observed during a weight maintenance | | | | fat from the diet. This may be the reason that |
| period of 12 weeks. The participants were divided | | | | drinking green tea is more effective for weight loss |
| into high caffeine consumers, low caffeine consumers | | | | than drinking other caffeinated beverages. |
| and a control group. | | | | If you're trying to lose weight, there's still no |
| During the weight maintenance period, participants | | | | substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise plan. |
| were either given a supplement that contained green | | | | Eating right and exercising will help you shed excess |
| tea's anti-oxidant EGCG plus caffeine, or a placebo. | | | | pounds and keep them off for good. |
| During the study period, high caffeine consumers lost | | | | However, when you're trying to lose weight, any help |
| more weight than those who consumed smaller | | | | is appreciated - and it appears that increasing your |
| amounts of weight. During the weight maintenance | | | | caffeine consumption, particularly through drinking |
| period, the EGCG/caffeine supplement had a | | | | more green tea, may be just the jump start your |
| significantly greater effect on the people who were | | | | metabolism needs. |