Belly fat is probably one of the biggest concerns for women who want to lose weight. Washboard abs, a toned tummy, and a flat stomach are the weight loss dreams for many. While a trim middle can be difficult to achieve without a strict lifestyle and some favorable genetics, there are some little things you can do every day to reduce belly fat. Regularly exercising, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and consuming a proper diet are crucial for weight loss. And, just as eating the right low-carb, nutrient-rich foods is important, it’s also helpful to reevaluate the beverages you consume. Drinks like sodas, alcoholic beverages, milkshakes, and coffee are detrimental to weight loss goals. It’s best to try and cut these drinks out of your everyday diet, especially your cup of joe with full-fat milk and refined sugars.
But if you’re still craving coffee, there is one caffeinated beverage that health experts believe can boost your metabolism and reduce belly fat: green tea. To learn how drinking green tea every day can improve your overall health and speed up your progress towards a flatter belly, we spoke to Dietitian Trista Best of Balance One Supplements, Nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet, Dr. Nikola Djordjevic of Health Careers, and Dr. Josh Axe of Ancient Nutrition. They told us all about the incredible health benefits of this antioxidant-packed beverage. Find all of their insight below!
Green tea
If you're looking for a way to get your caffeine fix while also promoting weight loss, health experts say you should look no further than green tea. This antioxidant-rich beverage has a plethora of health benefits and it's especially great for reducing belly fat.
According to Dr. Djordjevic, "The major component of green tea, [epigallocatechin gallate otherwise known as EGCG], is a strong antioxidant that is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory action. ECGC suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines and related enzymes in your body."
Dr. Axe agrees and confirms, "Green tea is a healthy addition to your diet since its consumption has been considered a natural metabolism booster for centuries thanks to special antioxidant compounds." He continues, "Green tea isn't just beneficial due to its antioxidant content. It's also been shown to be a natural fat-burning beverage, in part due to its caffeine. Sipping on a cup of matcha green tea is not only soothing—drinking it regularly may help to reduce body fat and lower cholesterol levels."
In addition to this, Dr. Djordjevic says, "[The] antioxidants in green tea also help you burn fat by speeding up your metabolism, thus aiding in weight loss. In short, green tea is a magic drink loaded with antioxidants that can even prevent diseases such as cancer, tumors, high cholesterol, and heart diseases."
A recent 12-week study proved that green tea can boost your metabolism. The participants in the study combined a daily habit of 4-5 cups of green tea and a 25-minute workout. They lost an average of two more pounds and more belly fat than the non-tea-drinking exercisers.
"Tea has been used for many years as a means of improving metabolism," Richards explains. "The catechins in tea, which are classified as flavonoids, are the metabolism-boosting compounds of the drink." And when it comes to these catechins, this brew offers an especially high amount, making it one of the best teas you can drink if you want to boost your metabolism. Catechins are a type of antioxidant that triggers the release of fat from fat cells. It also helps speed up the liver's capacity for turning fat into energy.
Best agrees, saying, "Green tea is packed with antioxidants which have widespread health benefits from weight loss, preventing illness, reducing inflammation and even potentially preventing cancer."
These antioxidants help protect your whole body from toxins and free radicals to reduce cellular damage, which is important when it comes to weight loss because, as she continues, "When inflammation is at a normal level in the body it is able to function at its optimal level. This means our metabolism will improve as it doesn't work against inflammation and fatigue." Noted!
Of course, to see real results in your weight loss journey, you'll have to pair this tea with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep. But green tea is a great caffeinated beverage that you can have every day to reduce belly fat.
