Posted on Leave a comment

The Truth About The Green Tea Detox: Does it Help with Weight Loss?

green tea detox, green tea detox and weight loss, weight loss, green tea

Green tea can work wonders for your health if you continue drinking green tea for a very long time. It doesn’t work like other detoxes which require a short period of time. In fact, you stand to gain the most out of drinking green tea, if you continue drinking green tea as a lifestyle choice. When it comes to the green tea detox, it won’t miraculously help you lose weight, nor will it effectively detoxify your body; that is unless you carry the detox forward as a long term commitment to your overall wellbeing. We are here to share the truth about green tea and the green tea detox. 

You’ve heard all the fads that have been going around and may have dismissed green tea as another fad diet. This is far from the truth. Though green tea has become ever so popular amongst fitness and wellness enthusiasts, it is far from a fad. In fact, green tea hasn’t suddenly gained popularity, it was always a popular choice; people just didn’t know about the various health benefits of green tea or were too ignorant to educate themselves on how green tea can help change your life for the better. That being the case, the newest fad terminology ‘detox’ has brought about the questions of a green tea detox. Though previously unheard of, this new detox fad may promise you things that are simply not practical. If you’ve come across a green tea detox plan that is sure to help you burn body fat fast, then obvious to state, you have been misled by the wholesome amount of misinformation that is available on the internet. That being the case, we aren’t suggesting that green tea doesn’t help with weight loss, because in actuality it does. We will look into how it helps with weight loss and list out the various other benefits of green tea when incorporated into your lifestyle correctly. 

Whether it is weight maintenance or weight loss that you are looking to achieve, green tea helps supplement your diet and lifestyle, making you a healthier and happier self. Millions of people around the world swear by green tea and that too with just cause. It is loaded with powerful antioxidants that keep various illnesses at bay by detoxing your body from harmful compounds such as free radicals. 

You must have heard about the green tea detox diet, which is why you are here reading this word to word in hopes of finding the truth and clarity with regards to this so-called diet. Does this diet help with weight loss, does it help burn more fat, or is it simply a means of keeping your body at optimum health? We will answer all your questions about green tea and the green tea detox and explain how it aids in weight loss.

green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

What is a Detox? 

A detox is a period of time in which one abstains from unhealthy practices and incorporates healthy practices to rid your body from toxic substances that have built up in your body. This could include fasting or generally abstaining from certain foods and drinks that have been noted to be more detrimental to your health. 
 
 
In combination with abstaining from certain foods, detoxes usually incorporate other elements to replace the unhealthy habits, be it water, juices or teas, which are thought to help flush your body of toxins, thereby leaving behind a healthier self. 
 
 
The period of detox depends and can vary from a few hours to weeks or even months. It depends on what the person is trying to achieve and is often a reflection of an intention to become healthier. That being the case, there are some detoxes out there that are considered more detrimental to health rather than beneficial. Water fasting for instance considered a means to detoxify your body requires you to consume nothing but water for days and weeks, which can be bravely detrimental to your overall wellbeing. It goes without saying that we do not recommend such detoxes in any way shape or form and are here to understand the implications of associating the word ‘detox’ with green tea. 

green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

What is a Green Tea Detox?

A green tea detox is proclaimed as a natural flush for your system. The detox requires you to consume 3 to 6 cups of green tea for several weeks in combination with a healthy diet. Intended to help boost your immune system, the detox is told to help you flush toxins and boost weight loss efforts, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and revitalised. However, are these proponents valid?

 

Many people turn to detox diets in hopes of quickly resolving their problems, be it fighting fatigue, losing weight or generally cleansing the body. When you consider the various other detox diets that are out there such as water fasting, the green tea detox is relatively easier to incorporate since it doesn’t require any major changes to your diet and lifestyle. Though a healthy diet is recommended for better results, people do consider detoxing their body by simply drinking green tea for a few weeks and not changing their diet. 

The question that comes to mind as soon as that is stated is, ‘does this work?’ The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you are already eating a balanced diet and are staying away from unhealthy eating habits, then there is no change necessary. However, if you eat fast food every day and drink gallons of soda and then drink green tea six times a day in hopes of detoxing your body, that will not work. Hence the truth is simple. When a change in lifestyle and diet is mentioned as not being necessary, we compare it to other detoxes such as that water fasting which requires your to consume nothing but water for a period of time. This obviously requires a massive change in diet and lifestyle. In comparison to this, a green tea detox is easier to incorporate and balance into your daily life. 

 

The length of the detox varies, however is generally followed for a period of several weeks. This is varied to developing a long term habit of drinking green tea regularly every day. 

green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

Benefits of a Green Tea Detox

Though there is insufficient evidence as to the benefits of a green tea detox per se, there are however quite a bit of proven health benefits to green tea on its own. What is important to identify is the benefits if any on short term consumption of green tea. Does green tea really work to help detox your body if consumed for a few weeks?  

When it comes to the benefits of a green tea detox, there are a few noteworthy points that should be highlighted. Here is a list of the various potential benefits of a green tea detox.

1. May Help Prevent Diseases

 
Green tea has various powerful compounds that have been praised for its ability to prevent chronic conditions. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea have been studied to prevent the growth of certain types of cancer. A test-tube study conducted proved the link between prostate cancer prevention and EGCG as found naturally in green tea.
 
 
Green tea has been proven to help decrease the risk of developing diabetes. In fact, drinking 3 cups of green tea per day has been proven to decrease blood sugar levels. A study noted individuals were 16% less likely to develop diabetes if they consumed at least 3 cups of green tea per day. 
 
 
There is also a lower risk of developing heart disease or stroke, which usually accompanies drinking green tea. 
 
 
That being the case, all these studies were observed on the long term consumption of green tea. As to whether there are similar benefits of short term consumption as that during a green tea detox, is yet to be proven. That being the case, the role of green tea in preventing chronic diseases is rather generic, which was why we have cited it as one of the potential health benefits of a green tea detox. That being the case, it is difficult to consider that you would simply sidestep all these health conditions by simply drinking green tea for a few weeks. As mentioned prior, in order to gain the benefits of green tea, it has to be adopted as a long term, regular habit. 
 
 
 

2. May Support Weight Loss

 
Drinking any healthy fluid, in general, is considered to help with weight loss ambitions. Even drinking water can help with weight loss ambitions. However, does green tea help with weight loss? To be more particular, does a green tea detox help with weight loss? 
 
 
Green tea does contain various compounds which have been associated with the ability to boost weight loss and improve the process of fat burning. One study noticed a 17% increase in fat burning during exercise amongst adults who drank green tea. This does go to suggest that drinking green tea can help boost weight loss, however, does a short term consumption of drinking green tea lead to noticeable results? 
 
 
Green tea does contain certain compounds called catechins, which help decrease body weight and supports weight loss. That being the case, as mentioned prior it is unlikely there would be noticeable results from a green tea detox. 
 
 
The studies that were conducted on weight loss used highly concentrated extracts of green tea, which is normally not found in regular tea. Hence, though the results are conclusive, there is insufficient proof to state that regular green tea intake for a short period of time would unveil the same results. That being the case, it is likely that you will notice a small shift in weight loss, this again depends on your diet and lifestyle, including how much exercise you are getting. Nonetheless, a green tea detox could support you in your weight-loss ambitions, however, the results observed would vary from person to person. 

3. Improved Hydration

Hydration is key to overall health and wellbeing and is responsible for the proper functioning of various systems in your body. Not only does it enable the effective filtering of waste, it promotes nutrient absorption, maintains body temperature and also helps your brain function efficiently. 
 
 
Since green tea consists mostly of water, it is more likely that you will have improved hydration throughout the detox process. When on the detox, you are looking at consuming close to a litre of water from green tea alone.
 
 
That being the case, this does not mean that you don’t drink any water and only drink green tea during your detox. Your body requires a good amount of water and other fluids to maintain optimum levels of health and adding green tea only makes it easier to hydrate well. 

green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

Is Too Much Green Tea Bad for You? What are the Risks?

 
Excessive consumption of green tea can cause stomach problems. It could lead to diarrhoea and can even cause ineffective absorption of nutrients in the gut. This is because green tea contains polyphenols such as EGCG and tannins, which combines with micronutrients in the gut which in essence prevents their absorption. 
 
 
Iron absorption in particular has been hampered by the excessive consumption of green tea. This may lead to the development of iron deficiency. For those who are at risk of developing an iron deficiency, it is recommended to not consider the green tea detox. Drinking green tea occasionally is not intended to have much harm for such individuals, however frequent and regular consumption is not recommended. 
 
 
Another side effect of green tea is the caffeine content. Now if you are already consuming a wholesome amount of coffee, replacing it with green tea may do you more good. On the other hand, if your body is not accustomed to caffeine intake, you may experience instances of anxiety, sleep disturbances and more serious conditions such as high blood pressure. Though the caffeine content in green tea is lower than in coffee, it could be troublesome for people who are sensitive to caffeine. 

green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

Does the Green Tea Detox Help with Weight Loss?

 
Green tea contains plant chemicals called catechins, which can decrease body weight and help support weight loss. However, the evidence as to whether a short term use of green tea will boost weight loss is inconclusive. Studies that support green tea and weight loss used a high concentration of green tea extracts, concentrations that you don’t usually find in regular green tea. That being the case, there is sufficient proof to establish the link between green tea and weight loss when consumed on a permanent, regular and frequent basis. 
 
 
Though there are helpful compounds in green tea that can help boost weight loss, the short period in which you consume green tea during the detox process simply isn’t enough to produce noticeable changes in weight. That being the case, the amount of weight loss is tangent to the diet that you maintain during the detox and the amount of exercise attained. The more exercise and the better diet you maintain, the greater the chances of losing weight. 
 
 
Will the green tea detox alone help you lose weight? Yes, it is will help you lose weight, however, the weight loss will not be substantial, nor will it be noticeable in any way. Many people may simply observe no change in weight whatsoever. Hence if you are looking to the green tea detox as means of losing weight fast, I wouldn’t rely on green tea alone, but also incorporate a strong healthy diet and plenty of exercise alongside it. 
 
 
On the contrary, drinking green tea on a more permanent footing does bravely help in aiding weight loss ambitions. To understand better how green tea helps with weight loss, read our article on ‘Does Green Tea Help With Weight Loss?‘ You stand to benefit more by simply incorporating green tea into your lifestyle as opposed to simply relying on a short term detox diet using green tea to lose weight. In fact, if you read that article, you’ll understand just how you stand to lose weight if you drink green tea on a more frequent basis. 
 
 
 
green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

 

Health Benefits of Frequent Green Tea Consumption

 
Don’t get us wrong, though the benefits of a green tea detox are hard to establish, there are various proven health benefits of consuming green tea on a more frequent basis. 
 
 
They contain wholesome amounts of polyphenols which are natural compounds that reduce inflammation and fight cancer. Catechins such as EGCG found in green tea help prevent cell damage and reduces the formation of free radicals in the body. This is where green tea gets its anti-ageing properties. The caffeine in green tea helps boost brain function and makes you more alert. Not just that, but caffeine found in green tea can help boost your mood, better your memory and improve reaction time. It could also prevent the onset of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. 
 
 
Further to this, you know we stated prior how green tea helps aid weight loss. When consumed on a frequent basis, it can lead to increase fat burning and improved metabolism. On top of this, the antioxidants found in green tea help fight chronic health conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. 
 
 
To top it all off, green tea can actually help you live longer. A study conducted on 14,001 older Japanese individuals concluded that the individuals who drank green tea were 76% less likely to die during the study period of 6-years.

It goes without saying, that though there is insufficient proof as to whether a green tea detox has any real benefits, drinking green tea on a more frequent long term basis definitely has various health benefits. 

However, as mentioned prior, if you suffer from an iron deficiency, then it is not recommended to drink green tea on a regular basis and should only be consumed occasionally. 

 
green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

 

Which Green Tea is Best for Weight Loss?

The greatest source of nutrients and antioxidants are found in Matcha green tea. Matcha is considered the most valuable green tea, especially when on a weight-loss mission. As registered dietitian Isabel K Smith explains, “The whole leaf is ground and consumed as part of the beverage, as opposed to other (most) types of green tea where the leaves are steeped and then the tea is consumed.” 

 

The trouble with various store-bought green tea is, they don’t contain the same amounts of catechins that you find in authentic Matcha green tea. Hence when it comes to weight loss and reaping the other benefits of green tea, these store-bought brands often fall short. Hence we thought it would be useful for you to have an authentic brand sourced and recommended for you. 

We highly recommend GoldMatcha, which is an authentic brand of green tea, shipped straight to you from Japan. The green tea is organically grown and extracted from fresh leaves. You can buy ceremonial grade GoldMatcha from their website. Click the image below to be directed to their website.

 
 

The Truth About The Green Tea Detox

 
When you consider whether this green tea detox is a fad or not, you aren’t wrong. The truth of the matter; simply drinking green tea for a few weeks is not going to help you change your life or make you healthier. This is because your body has a built-in detox system in place, which works to clear out toxins and harmful compounds. Thus simply drinking green tea for a few weeks isn’t going to effectively enable you to detoxify your body any better.
 
 
If you are after the detoxifying properties of green tea and are looking to reap all the benefits of drinking green tea, including weight loss, then you should incorporate green tea as a lifestyle choice and consume it on a more frequent basis, every day. Don’t expect the same results from simply drinking green tea for a few weeks. In order to get the most from this valuable tea, you have to consume it on a more regular basis. 
 
 
green tea, green tea detox, green tea detox for weight loss, green tea cleanse, health benefits of green tea, health benefits of green tea detox, what is a detox, what is a green tea detox

 
 
Hence when it comes to the truth about the green tea detox, to simply state, it is rather ineffective and can also be considered unnecessary. There is no quick shot way to fix your body, nor is there any quick way to lose weight. Both these things require time and patience and incorporating good and healthy practices. Drinking green tea on a frequent basis can have marvellous benefits on your overall wellbeing, hence though we do not recommend the green tea detox to have anything of value, the same doesn’t go for green tea. Green tea is highly recommended and is something that you should consider incorporating into your lifestyle if you are serious about staying healthy. Once again, we must remind you that if you do suffer from an iron deficiency, then frequent consumption of green tea is not recommended.
 
 
We hope reading this word to word has helped you to understand the green tea detox better and that you have a better idea of what you should be doing to gain the most benefits from drinking green tea. Drinking green tea every day isn’t hard and if you can incorporate it into your lifestyle, by all means, you should!
 
 
Happy Living!
 
 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *