EGCG and Weight Loss - Advantages and Disadvantages
Julian Tai
October 28, 2009
EgCG or epigallocatechin gallate is a polyphenol found in green tea. Though green tea has many polyphenols, EgCG is the most potent of these amazing antioxidants.
We know that antioxidants play a huge role in many areas of optimum health. We also know that ideal body weight plays a huge role in many areas of optimum health.
It seems rather clear that it can have some big benefits in the way of overall health, especially because it also has the ability to aid in weight loss.
So, what are its overall effects on weight loss?
ADVANTAGE 1: Increase Metabolism
All of the macronutrients, fat, protein and carbohydrate are broken down via digestion and turned into glucose. The glucose is the energy used by the cells to perform bodily activities. Excess glucose is stored as fat.
Metabolism is the rate at which we burn calories or fuel. When our metabolism is low, more energy is stored as fat. When our metabolism is high, we burn (or use) the calories more quickly.
It has been shown to increase metabolism. A study in France indicated that resting metabolism increased by 4% after ingestion of 90 mg per day.
Using EgCG to boost metabolism can be helped by grazing throughout the day. When we eat several times a day (though in much smaller amounts), we raise our metabolism by providing our bodies with constant fuel. The body burns it quickly knowing that there is a steady supply of energy.
Conversely, when we starve ourselves, metabolism is lowered because we our denying our bodies of the necessary energy (or fuel) for our cells. The body goes into a sort of survival mode by lowering metabolism to conserve what little energy it is taking in. It stores this energy as fat.
ADVANTAGE 2: Act as a fat burner
In one study, four groups were given different combinations:
Water
Full-strength tea (which would contain caffeine and EgCG)
Half-strength tea
Water with 270 mg caffeine
Not only did energy expenditure increase for both the full-strength tea drinkers and the caffeinated water drinkers, but the full-strength tea drinkers also experienced higher fat oxidation. This indicates that caffeine works better for weight loss when combined with EgCG.
ADVANTAGE 3: Act as a starch blocker
A typical Western diet consists of a lot of refined, starchy carbohydrates. Our busy lives make it difficult to choose better foods, sometimes.
Starchy foods are broken down much more quickly than more complex foods such as whole grains and proteins. EGCG tends to block some of this starch.
Though this isn´t the most beneficial factor, it may help us out on days that food choices were limited due to our busy lifestyles.
Are there any disadvantages?
DISADVANTAGE 1: Poor quality tea or supplements
Not all teas or supplements are created equal. When poor quality tea leaves are used, the benefits this antioxidant diminish because there are less polyphenols present. Likewise, supplements may be made with lesser quality green tea.
In order to maximize the benefit of EgCG, it´s important that you purchase high quality products. Some things to look for are:
DISADVANTAGE 2: Other harmful impurities
Many diet supplements that contain EgCG may also contain harmful components such as ephedra or caffeine. It´s important when choosing EgCG supplements that you read the package carefully so you can determine whether or not these other substances are coming along with the more beneficial EgCG.
Green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine as well akin to about half of that found in coffee. For people with arrhythmias, high blood pressure, or diabetes, caffeine may have adverse effects. Still other people with anxiety conditions do not tolerate caffeine well. For these people, decaffeinated green teas are recommended.
DISADVANTAGE 3: Relying solely on it to lose weight
Many obese or overweight people, unfortunately, are searching for a supposed miracle in a bottle (or a cuppa´ for that matter). The fact is that weight loss can be a difficult thing.
No pill or tea in the world will help you lose weight if you don´t adjust your eating and exercise habits. It´s imperative that you understand that while it may give you a boost in your weight loss efforts, it can´t do all the work on its own.
Follow a good diet that is filled with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Also, make sure you consume lean proteins and stay clear of high fat proteins. In addition, choose whole grain carbohydrates over starchy, refined products that have little or no satiety value and very little nutritional value.
The key is to get the most bang for your calorie buck. Lower the amount you eat and start a good exercise program. By doing these things along with using a supplement or drinking quality green tea, you will begin to see smaller numbers on the scale in no time.
Understand the difference between EGCG, catechins and polyphenols. Which is the best way to maximize green tea health benefits?
Want to know which is the best catechins extract to buy? This article reviews 10 popular green tea diet pills.
And finally, don't fancy drinking green tea and want to know how to select a high quality green tea extract supplement?
We know that antioxidants play a huge role in many areas of optimum health. We also know that ideal body weight plays a huge role in many areas of optimum health.
It seems rather clear that it can have some big benefits in the way of overall health, especially because it also has the ability to aid in weight loss.
So, what are its overall effects on weight loss?
ADVANTAGE 1: Increase Metabolism
All of the macronutrients, fat, protein and carbohydrate are broken down via digestion and turned into glucose. The glucose is the energy used by the cells to perform bodily activities. Excess glucose is stored as fat.
Metabolism is the rate at which we burn calories or fuel. When our metabolism is low, more energy is stored as fat. When our metabolism is high, we burn (or use) the calories more quickly.
It has been shown to increase metabolism. A study in France indicated that resting metabolism increased by 4% after ingestion of 90 mg per day.
Using EgCG to boost metabolism can be helped by grazing throughout the day. When we eat several times a day (though in much smaller amounts), we raise our metabolism by providing our bodies with constant fuel. The body burns it quickly knowing that there is a steady supply of energy.
Conversely, when we starve ourselves, metabolism is lowered because we our denying our bodies of the necessary energy (or fuel) for our cells. The body goes into a sort of survival mode by lowering metabolism to conserve what little energy it is taking in. It stores this energy as fat.
ADVANTAGE 2: Act as a fat burner
In one study, four groups were given different combinations:
Water
Full-strength tea (which would contain caffeine and EgCG)
Half-strength tea
Water with 270 mg caffeine
Not only did energy expenditure increase for both the full-strength tea drinkers and the caffeinated water drinkers, but the full-strength tea drinkers also experienced higher fat oxidation. This indicates that caffeine works better for weight loss when combined with EgCG.
ADVANTAGE 3: Act as a starch blocker
A typical Western diet consists of a lot of refined, starchy carbohydrates. Our busy lives make it difficult to choose better foods, sometimes.
Starchy foods are broken down much more quickly than more complex foods such as whole grains and proteins. EGCG tends to block some of this starch.
Though this isn´t the most beneficial factor, it may help us out on days that food choices were limited due to our busy lifestyles.
Are there any disadvantages?
DISADVANTAGE 1: Poor quality tea or supplements
Not all teas or supplements are created equal. When poor quality tea leaves are used, the benefits this antioxidant diminish because there are less polyphenols present. Likewise, supplements may be made with lesser quality green tea.
In order to maximize the benefit of EgCG, it´s important that you purchase high quality products. Some things to look for are:
DISADVANTAGE 2: Other harmful impurities
Many diet supplements that contain EgCG may also contain harmful components such as ephedra or caffeine. It´s important when choosing EgCG supplements that you read the package carefully so you can determine whether or not these other substances are coming along with the more beneficial EgCG.
Green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine as well akin to about half of that found in coffee. For people with arrhythmias, high blood pressure, or diabetes, caffeine may have adverse effects. Still other people with anxiety conditions do not tolerate caffeine well. For these people, decaffeinated green teas are recommended.
DISADVANTAGE 3: Relying solely on it to lose weight
Many obese or overweight people, unfortunately, are searching for a supposed miracle in a bottle (or a cuppa´ for that matter). The fact is that weight loss can be a difficult thing.
No pill or tea in the world will help you lose weight if you don´t adjust your eating and exercise habits. It´s imperative that you understand that while it may give you a boost in your weight loss efforts, it can´t do all the work on its own.
Follow a good diet that is filled with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Also, make sure you consume lean proteins and stay clear of high fat proteins. In addition, choose whole grain carbohydrates over starchy, refined products that have little or no satiety value and very little nutritional value.
The key is to get the most bang for your calorie buck. Lower the amount you eat and start a good exercise program. By doing these things along with using a supplement or drinking quality green tea, you will begin to see smaller numbers on the scale in no time.
Understand the difference between EGCG, catechins and polyphenols. Which is the best way to maximize green tea health benefits?
Want to know which is the best catechins extract to buy? This article reviews 10 popular green tea diet pills.
And finally, don't fancy drinking green tea and want to know how to select a high quality green tea extract supplement?
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