Green Tea Maven

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Green tea has survived for many generations because of its inherent positive benefits for the body. But today’s fast paced lifestyle and scientific advancements have enabled people to enjoy the perks of green tea while eliminating some of its unnecessary components.

Green tea is especially popular because of its supposed weight loss properties indicated in many scientific researches. Green tea capsules focus on this key characteristic to improve its stature as a food supplement.

Here are reliable tips you can remember the next time you shop for tea capsules.

Doctor’s Inputs:

Food supplements are all required by law to indicate that they have no approved therapeutic claims and green tea capsules are one of them. Thus, it is important that before you adopt a green tea capsule brand you should have the go signal of a doctor.

Tea capsules, even if they have organic components, may induce some allergies to certain types of people. Different anatomies and genetic backgrounds may react differently to specific components.

Some of these components are epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, gallic acid and epigallocatechin gallate. Yes, they all sound alike and seemingly are variations of just the same compound, but one can never know the effects of these compounds to an allergic people.

The guidance of a doctor will help you choose the brand which will be medically suitable and safe for you. The medical advice of a doctor will also help you follow a correct drinking schedule.

Be Aware of the Components:

As mentioned, it is essential that you are aware of the components of the green tea capsules you are taking. First and foremost, you should verify if what you are drinking is really green tea.

Mislabeling and commercial deception may happen wherein the label indicates “green tea” but a cursory look at the ingredients will reveal none of its essence. EGCG is an important compound which must be present in your capsules.

By thoroughly inspecting your tea capsules, you can assess if the quantity of green tea in the capsules are significant to bring about any change. You should also check if your pill has no bitter or sour after-taste.

Remember, you are supposed to intake these capsules daily as part of a diet regimen so you should be comfortable with its taste.

Empty promises are common in the commercial arena of selling green tea capsules. With the high number of competitors for sales, certain entrepreneurs may resort to deception in order to sell their products.

An important rule of thumb is if it’s too good to be true, it is likely untrue. Tea capsules are not a shortcut to weight loss. They should be part of a strict regimen including regular exercise and proper diet.

Benefits of a Right Decision:

Once you wisely choose a brand for your green tea capsules, the likelihood that you’ll enjoy the benefits of green tea will be very high. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and a good brand will help you fight cancer through free radicals. Capsules are said to emit a higher level of anti-oxidant activity inside the body within a period of eight hours.

An effective green tea capsule will help you burn fat more swiftly. Your metabolism rate will heighten with a good choice of tea capsules. Your sensitivity to insulin may also improve — a boon if you are a diabetic.

Heart ailments are also lowered because green tea capsules help lessen the cholesterol level inside your body. Migraines and stomach problems may also be avoided.

Incidentally, plaque is often averted when you regularly intake green tea supplements. A low count of bacteria causing plaque will help you become free of tooth decay and other dental ailments.

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Green tea has been acclaimed in diet circles because of its reported positive health benefits. With the high demand for this healthy food supplement, tea capsules have been invented to focus on the healing components of green tea, especially its use for weight loss.

One of the most popular brands in the market is Green Tea Fat Burner, a product of Applied Nutrition which previously went by the trade mark Dual Action Green Tea Diet Liquid Gel Caps. We’ll thoroughly study aspects of the product to see if it is well worth the hype.

Specifications of Its Components

While it is true that the sum is greater than the parts, it is still important to be aware of the key ingredients of any food supplement you will be taking. A careful analysis of Green Tea Fat Burner reveals the following components:

Chromium (Chromium Picolinate) at 500 grams or 417% of the daily recommended allowance
Green tea extract (50% EGCG) at 400 milligrams
Natural caffeine at 160 milligrams
Xenedrol blend at 160 milligrams
Advantra-Z bitter orange extract (6% synephrine)
Citrus Aurantium extract
Betaine Hydrochloride
Bladderwack Root and Leaf
Cayenne Powder (fruit) 40,000 HU
Eleuthero Root (Siberian Ginseng) at 0.8%
Ginger Root at 5%
Gotu Kola Root
Guarana Seed
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Yerba Mate Leaf
Trimethylglycine (TMG)

Analysis of the Breakdown

Now that we are aware of its components, will this mix result to the optimum medical results of green tea?

An interesting observation is the presence of too many stimulants (Yerba Mate Leaf and Eleuthero or Siberian Ginseng). Stimulants are seen as an acceptable aspect of a weight loss stimulant but too much of it may result to insomnia, nausea or irritability.

While it has an interesting mix of weight loss ingredients and its price is reasonable at seven dollars, the company which produces it offers a non-existent scientific proof or research to back up their product.

The amount of green tea extract is also a cause for concern. Each capsule only has 200 milligrams of EGCG which is low compared to three grams of quality green tea which already contains 150 milligrams of EGCG.

Side effects reported by reviewers include a jittery feeling and headache. This is not odd because of the combination of caffeine and eleuthero powder among others. The amount of Chromium Picolinate present in each capsule is also relatively high.  There is a general feeling of uncertainty about the stability of the mix of its components.

Methodology of Usage

Green Tea Fat Burner is in liquid soft gel form and it is a recommended addition to a weight loss program. As a supplement, it should be taken with a full glass of water once or twice in the morning and another set in the afternoon. Because of its soft gel form, it is observed to allow nutrients to be absorbed more quickly at a rate 200% better.

It is not the sole answer to weight loss, however. Green Tea Fat Burner should be paired with a strict regimen of regular exercise and proper nutrition. When used properly, it can curb your appetite or spike your metabolism rate for burning fat.

The presence of caffeine in its components is also significant because it can stimulate you throughout the day. 300 milligrams of caffeine is the recommended dose every day and a single capsule of Green Tea Fat Burner has 160 milligrams already.

You should take care not to take more than what is necessary. Err on the side of caution if you must take this as your food supplement.

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Green tea is fast becoming a regular for an organic diet. The Chinese people are credited to being the first civilization to systematically cultivate tea for all its benefits. It is believed that during the Tang Dynasty.

Many health buffs include green tea in their everyday regimen because of its reported health benefits. One of its key results supposedly is weight loss. With so many products and campaigns targeting clients interested in weight loss, we’ll examine just how effective green tea is as a weight loss option.

How Much of a Healthy Potion Is Green Tea?

Green tea is organic and that already is good enough for many people to take on green tea. But few know that green tea extract is also a good source of caffeine which is a usual component of fat burners.

Green tea is also a top-notch anti-oxidant similar to vitamin C and beta carotene; it is a good source of the active ingredient EGCG or epigallocatechingallate which is pegged as two hundred times more powerful than vitamin E.

Green tea has also been studied to be a regulator of glucose. Following a meal, it slows the rise in blood sugar. This is achieved by inhibiting the action of a specific digestive enzyme referred to as amylase. This enzyme is crucial in the breakdown of starches which affect blood sugar levels.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea also speeds up your metabolic rate and enables you to achieve a greater calorie burn. From the same journal, results of scientific research indicate that catechins (which are abundant in green tea) can lead to the lowering of body fat and levels of cholesterol.

The fatty acid synthase stands no chance when set against green tea. Additionally, catechins lower levels of LDL (a bad form of cholesterol) and triglyceride.

Set Realistic Expectations

With the long list of health benefits you can experience by drinking green tea, it will do you some good to temper your expectations. Green tea is not a magic formula which will solve all your weight loss issues instantly. It may work but its effects are subtle and should be incorporated with a proper weight loss plan involving regular exercise and proper diet.

For example, another study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveal that while green tea does increase the rate of metabolism, it does so at a rate of only four percent which is trivial when you look at it. But with daily consistency, a small thing will go a long way.

Another realistic way where green tea may contribute to a weight loss program is by offsetting the craving for unhealthy sweets. Last but not the least, natural is always better because it has less complications.

Home Preparation

If you wish to try the effects of green tea, you can easily prepare a concoction at home. But it requires a delicate amount of skill to perfect especially because the ingredient called polyphenol which may significantly affect the taste. A key reminder is not to brew the drink excessively.

Two to four grams of tea or a single tea bag is enough to prepare a single cup. Fill the kettle until it reaches its boiling point. Allow it to stand for three minutes then pour the boiling water to the tea bag. Let it cool for another three minutes for a perfect blend.

While green tea has been proven by certain scientific research to give positive gains for the body, a steady combination of ample rest, consistent exercise and hearty nutrition is key to having an effective weight loss program.

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Coffee is a popular aspect of urban lifestyle. With the number of coffee shops visible in cities, coffee has been a favorite cup of many people to kick start their mornings.

However, coffee is only known for its high caffeine content. If you are more critical of the nutrition your body is receiving, you should consider what many diet enthusiasts are enjoying nowadays: green tea.

The positive contributions to health of tea have been mentioned or thoroughly discussed in many academic research and even common online reviews. Its primary feature is its ability to avert cancers and heart diseases. Let’s take a closer look at the tale of the tape of these two favorite morning beverages.

Head to Head Match-up

Coffee is always about caffeine. Apart from the usual effects of caffeine which enables its drinkers to be alert and stay awake during night time, caffeine has been observed as an alleviating agent for asthma because it relaxes the passages of air of the lungs. In the mid-1800s, caffeine was even used as a stimulant in Europe.

On the other hand, tea, a beverage brewed from the plant Camellia sinensis is observed to contain polyphenols, a variety of flavonoids which are potent antioxidants protecting the body from the harmful effects of free radicals.

A notable instance of polyphenols is quercetin which is said to inhibit allergic reactions and the oxidation of bad cholesterol such as LDL. Quercetin is also in high amounts in apples and onions.

Benefits to Your Health

Caffeine has its perks and it can definitely perk up someone who needs to stay up late. Coffee has high amounts of caffeine and while it does not harm to intake a cup of coffee every once in a while it is not recommended as a regular mainstay in your diet. When taken in excessive amounts, it can lead to anxiety and a high level of irritability.

However, coffee also has its share of the good stuff. It may not contain catechins which make tea healthy for the body but coffee has chlorogenic and phenolic acids. A report by the Coffee Science Information Center indicates that coffee has a rate of 97 milligrams per 100 grams of these acids compared to 30-36 milligrams per 100 grams.

Certain studies have pointed to coffee as a positive contributing factor to easing diabetes, colon cancer, asthma, Parkinson’s and depression.

Tea on the other hand is also effective for the following conditions mentioned above and could probably help solve more diseases. Its antioxidants are immense and can significantly affect many forms of cancer.

Side Effects

It is not all sunny with the two beverages. Anything in excess can cause side effects. Too much coffee will result in too much caffeine, rendering you jittery and nervous. Even with all the positive effects of coffee mentioned above, if you drink too much you can become irritable and nervous.

Green tea on the other hand has less caffeine because of theanine, an amino acid which inhibits the effects of caffeine. The powerful antioxidant catechins also neutralize caffeine when mixed in hot water.

Inclusion in Weight Loss Program

The Mayo Clinic has noted that caffeine can act as a moderate suppresant of appetite. However, its presence is not enough to warrant any significant development. Moreover, coffee normally involves the addition of sugar and milk and that’s more calories.

Green tea meanwhile has an inherent sweetness which does not require additional sugar. Green tea also has EGCG and theanines which are effective weight loss agents. Of course this should be complemented with regular exercise and the right choice of nutrition.

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Japanese green tea has slowly found its way to the hearts of many people because of its health benefits. But if you want to experience the best quality for your drink, you should maintain a hands-on approach in choosing as a buyer.

When it comes to choosing your Japanese green tea, there are three primary considerations: the type of teapot, the quality of the green tea and brewing.

1. Teapots. Teapots are best if they are hand crafted as they can last for many years. Most of the optimum teapots come from the region of Tokoname in Japan. Other famous regions are Mino-yaki and Banko-yaki.

2. Quality. For the quality of the Japanese green tea, there are a variety of factors to consider. You should identify where it came from and its means of packaging (if it is oxygen free because nitrogen is better for packaging). You should also have an idea how long it has been produced. Is it the first harvest?

3. Brewing. Brewing is also an important aspect when it comes to assessing the quality of your tea.  Unlike normal tea, Japanese green tea is dependent primarily on brewing and when it oozes a bitter taste, there’s a good chance it was not brewed correctly. Brewing normally lasts for about two minutes under a low temperature.

Twenty-Two Infusions

Here are three varieties of green tea which can yield up to twenty-two infusions and can be repeated for over two to four times. Daily sencha or broiled tea is the most economical tea of the lot. This type of tea is usually collected in the 3rd and 4th flush tea during summer and autumn.

Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd flush of sencha tea is the common of all green teas and it is created from leaves which are directly exposed to the sun. Thus, the 1st flush is aptly called the Shin-cha.

1. Kabusecha. Kabusecha is a favorite by many tea lovers especially if it is from the 1st harvest. On the other hand, deep steamed green tea contains a thick consistency which looks cloudy green when brewed.

Kabusecha is a variety of sencha tea in which its leaves are grown under the sun’s shade. They are made to grow under the shade before they are being harvested, but they do not grow as high as Gyokuro. This kind of tea has a unique and delicate flavor than Sencha.

2. Gyokuro (Jade Dew). Gyokuro is referred to as jade dew because of its pale green color when infused. It is considered to be the most excellent of Japanese green tea when cultivated and brewed right. The difference in the flavor is said to be attributed to its leaves being grown under the shade.

The caffeine content of Gyokuro is quite high generally pegged at 0.16% during infusions. However, it contains a significant amount of L-Theanine which inhibits and counteracts the presence of caffeine. Moreover, the amount which will be ingested is very small at only ten to sixty milliliters.

3. Matcha (Rubbed Tea). Matcha has almost the same cultivation method as that of Gyokuro; it is a staple of tea ceremonies. Apart from being a favorite of tea lovers, Matcha is also a famous ice cream flavor and a theme for sweets.

Sometimes this Matcha is mixed with Sencha or roasted brown rice blend (genmai) in order to produce a better color.

Alternative Tea

Tea is normally created by leaves but there are other sources as well. One of its varieties is the Aki-Bancha (or autumn Bancha) which is harvested from the tea plants’ twigs.

Kukicha (stalk tea) is also produced from harvested bud and tea leaves. Finally, Tamaryokucha has a taste like a berry with an almond after-taste and an aroma of grass, citrus, and berries.

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Tea has been widely regarded in health circles because of its reported benefits for weight loss programs. It has been observed to cause a spike in a person’s metabolic rate and thus cause fat to be burned faster.

Tea also has a lot of anti-oxidants which can aid in the fight against cancer. Because of its effectiveness, different types of tea have emerged: black, green, oolong, white and puerh. But the two most popular varieties are black tea and green tea.

While it is a favorite debate of diet enthusiasts whether green tea is better than black tea or the other way around, note that you can mix both of them into your diet regimen. However, both green tea and black tea have specific features which you may want to know about.

Tale of the Tape: Basic Differences

While both black tea and green tea came from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the difference lies in the preparation. Green tea leaves do not undergo the fermentation process; instead they are steamed and withered after they are picked.

The oxidation process is immediately stopped by rapidly heating the leaves. Because of this, green tea has less caffeine (ten to thirty percent of coffee) when brewed at low temperatures. This also lends subtle undertones to the taste of green tea.

On the other hand, black tea is withered to let it undergo oxidation. In this process, water evaporates out of the leaf which allows the leaf to absorb more oxygen. Because its tea leaves undergo full oxidation, this type of tea has dark brown and black leaves. It also produces a higher amount of caffeine which ranges between fifty to sixty five percent of coffee.

Gaining Higher Ground: Advantages of Green Tea

Black tea is more commercially available but green tea is being touted as more beneficial to your health because of the following reasons:

Less Caffeine. As mentioned earlier, the preparation process of green tea enables it to have less caffeine. Sensitivity to caffeine can cause anxiety, irritability and even insomnia. According to a Fall 2004 study in the AICR Science Now, the full oxidation process done to black tea alters the chemical composition of its leaves, causing more caffeine.

More Antioxidants. Green tea has been observed to have more polyphenols, components which are said to be responsible for the fight against cancer. The oxidation process done on black tea leaves is said to destroy many of these polyphenols. On the other hand, the short oxidation process of green tea allows it to preserve these phytochemicals.

Less Teeth Stain. Because of the dark color of black tea, it naturally causes staining of the teeth although whitening strips may be a good solution. Moreover, the natural and colorless appeal of green tea gives it a grassy or plant-like aroma. Because of the color of black tea, a wine-like and earthy taste is attributed to it.

Regardless of Choice

Choosing between black tea and green tea is really a matter of preference for your taste buds. Countries who are heavy tea drinkers like Japan and China have much less heart diseases.

While most research and reviews point to green tea gaining the upper hand, black tea for its part can hold its own. It has fewer catechins and also theaflavins which are absent in green tea. Black tea tastes best when broiled with water.

Both varieties of tea would make a nice addition to a weight loss program as a food supplement. Tea is not the sole savior, however; you need to follow a strict combination of consistent exercise and healthy food.

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