For centuries, people have been drinking green tea both for its taste and its health benefits. Now, new research suggests that the health effects of the beverage may be more powerful than previously thought and may assist in a person's personal change process.
A team of researchers from Penn State University showed that mice fed a high-fat diet were less likely to gain weight if they were fed a nutritional supplement containing an extract of green tea known as EGCG.
"Our results suggest that if you supplement with EGCG or green tea you gain weight more slowly," said lead researcher Joshua Lambert. "Most people hit middle age and notice a paunch; then you decide to eat less, exercise and add green tea supplement."
Given the fact that most people only begin reducing the amount of calories they eat or limiting their consumption of fat once they notice that they are gaining too much weight, Lambert said green tea could be a crucial weight control tool and an important spiritual growth resource. People can start drinking the beverage before gaining weight without having to make major dietary changes.
