Green Tea May Aid Weight Loss

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found green tea appears to speed up calorie burning. According to researchers, "The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition."

The effects of green tea were evaluated in 10 healthy young, lean to mildly overweight men. Each of the men took 2 capsules consisting of either 50mg of green tea extract plus 50mg of caffeine, just 50mg of caffeine, or a placebo pill (nonactive substances). The men ate a typical Western diet consisting of 13% protein, 40% fat, and 47% carbohydrates.

Researchers found the energy expenditure -- the number of calories used during a 24-hour period -- was higher for men taking green tea extract than for those taking caffeine or placebo. They also found those taking the green tea extract used more fat calories than those taking the placebo.