Does green tea help burn fat? Recent study shows real potential for obesity treatment

Green tea shows promising potential for fat burning and obesity treatment in recent study.(Image: Pexels)

Green tea has long been known to promote weight loss. It’s been a favourite of ancient cultures for centuries, but now the tea has something fresh steeping in its cup, scientific validation. New research from Brazil’s Cruzeiro do Sul University has revealed that green tea extract helps lose weight and improve metabolism.  The findings offer a glimpse into how this the leaf could support healthier living.

Professor Rosemari Otton spent over 15 years investigating its effects. Her most recent research, published in Cell Biochemistry & Function, brings new clarity to the picture. In her team’s latest lab work, obese mice fed on a calorie-rich ‘cafeteria diet’ (think chocolate, biscuits, and condensed milk) were later treated with a precise dose of green tea extract, equivalent to around three cups a day for a human.

As a result upto 30% body weight loss, improved glucose metabolism, and better insulin sensitivity. And crucially, lean mice weren’t affected, suggesting a targeted effect on fat rather than general weight.

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Getting the dose right matters:

One striking detail in the study was how the green tea was administered, intragastrically, to ensure exact dosage. According to Otton, commercial teabags often fall short in delivering reliable levels of beneficial flavonoids. Instead, standardised extracts, like those found in compounding pharmacies, offer more consistency. “It’s not just about drinking any green tea; it’s about the quality and the compounds,” she says.

Here’s how green tea may help fight fat, as per the study

• Fat loss without muscle loss: The green tea treatment preserved muscle fibrediameter, a major marker for muscle health, even in obese mice.

• Boosted metabolic genes: Genes vital for glucose metabolism, such as Glut4 and Insr, were significantly activated by the extract.

• Natural selectivity: Green tea didn’t affect the weight of lean mice, acting only when excess fat was present.

• Synergy is key: Isolated compounds didn’t have the same impact as the full green tea extract. The natural combination of compounds seems to be more effective together.

• A role for adiponectin: Mice lacking this fat-regulating protein didn’t respond to treatment, suggesting it may be central to how green tea works.

While the data is promising, Otton cautions that this isn’t a green light for miracle weight loss claims. “Drinking tea for five months won’t undo a lifetime of poor habits,” she says. Still, in places like Japan, where daily green tea consumption is woven into the culture, obesity remains comparatively low. The key might lie in consistent, lifelong intake, paired with complete healthy living.

FAQs about green tea:

1. How much green tea extract was used in the study?

The study used a precise dose equivalent to around three cups of green tea per day for a human.

2. Did the green tea extract affect lean mice?

No, the green tea extract did not affect the weight of lean mice, suggesting a targeted effect on excess fat.

3. What kind of diet were the mice on during the study?

The mice were on a calorie-rich 'cafeteria diet' consisting of chocolate, biscuits, and condensed milk.

4. Can commercial teabags provide the same benefits as the green tea extract used in the study?

Commercial teabags often fall short in delivering reliable levels of beneficial flavonoids. Standardised extracts offer more consistency.

5. Is drinking green tea a quick fix for weight loss?

No, drinking green tea alone won't undo poor habits. Consistent, lifelong intake paired with complete healthy living is key.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis