Can drinking green tea after a workout session push weight loss?

If there’s one beverage known to help people lose weight, it’s green tea! It has a wealth of health advantages for people because it is packed with antioxidants and other nutrients. But do you know what it can do if you consume it after a workout? Let get down to know the benefits of green tea.

Green tea benefits

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, people who drink green tea lost 3.3 kg more weight than those who took a placebo. Therefore, HealthShots got in touch with Deepti Lokeshappa, Msc Food Science and Nutrition, Senior Consultant-Clinical Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospital, Bengaluru, to understand if drinking green tea after a workout session can help in boosting weight loss.

What’s the connection between green tea and weight loss?

Green tea is one of the most beneficial beverages out there as it is loaded with antioxidants and various plant compounds which are extremely beneficial for health. But did you know that this beverage can also help you in losing weight?

Lokeshappa says, “Green tea shines when it comes to low calorie healthy beverages. It can increase the amount of antioxidants in your bloodstream and compounds that are found in green tea stimulate the fat burning hormones.” Many people consume it after exercising for better results. Let’s take a look at how green tea can speed up your weight loss journey.

Read the benefits of drinking green tea after exercising, according to Lokeshappa:

Hydration after a workout is important. Many people opt to drink protein shakes after a workout, but green tea can be a good alternative to it. Let’s take a look at all the benefits it has:

1. Improves metabolism

Green tea has Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) which helps in increasing metabolism which further helps in fat burning after a workout.

2. It has a relaxing effect

It is also considered a good after workout beverage for its relaxing effect. It will slow down your heart rate which makes it a good after workout drink.

Also, read: How many cups of green tea in a day are too much? A dietitian breaks it down for you

3. Green tea is a low calorie beverage

Fitness conscious people are usually conscious about the diet they take. They can go for green tea as it is a sugar free beverage.

4. Antioxidant properties

It will help you in fighting exercise-induced free radicals and thus, it will protect you from reducing inflammation and muscle soreness.

5. Lowers your cholesterol level

Catechins are a type of antioxidant that are found in green tea, which helps in lowering cholesterol levels in your body.

Refrain from consuming green tea during these 4 times:

1. Before bedtime: If you struggle with sleeping issues, avoid drinking it before bedtime or around bedtime. It has caffeine and can disturb your circadian rhythm.

2. In the morning: You should not drink green tea first thing in the morning. Drinking it on an empty stomach can trigger gastric issues.

Also, read: Weight loss to better digestion: 3 raita recipes for better health

3. After your meal: Thought green tea improves digestion, drinking it after your meal can reduce the absorption of nutrients from the meal.

4. Right after consuming medicine: Avoid drinking it after consuming medicine as it can be harmful.

Takeaway

If you’re drinking green tea for weight loss benefits, you can make it even more beneficial by adding honey, lemon, mint leaves, cinnamon, or ginger. All these ingredients are really healthy for overall health and can help in losing weight.