Green tea is an extremely effective tool in weight loss. Is it a miracle cure? No, there is no such thing, however the use of green tea is worthy of regular and consistent consideration in your nutritional diet, as its benefits and contributions to weight loss are both unique and considerable. Let's take a closer at the benefits of green tea to your overall health in this section and then in part two, focus more specifically on the exact benefits that green tea has in the quest of weight loss and healthy weight management.

Green tea finds its roots in China, Asia, Japan and the Middle East. Its health benefits date back centuries, as far back as 1911 when Zen practitioners reported the healing properties found in the regular consumption of green tea. Over the last 10 years, green tea has migrated and found its way into the Western world. With health benefits dating back centuries, it serves us well to closely examine and consider the use of this simple and enjoyable addition to our diets.

Below you will find a list of the long purported health benefits associated with regular (daily) ingestion of green tea. Many of these have been scientifically researched and proven effect to the applicable claim. Others have not yet been academically signified, however they are widely accepted as true due to the lack of need to scientifically prove these claims; the benefits have been so long-standing and evident in regular users of green tea for centuries, thus the validity of the claim is acceptable.

*Anti-Cancer Properties- In 1996, New Scientist Magazine performed a study that indicated positively that green tea protects against a range of cancers; most specifically, prostate, breast and lung cancers.

*Increased Metabolic Rate- The University of Geneva as well as the University of Birmingham conducted trials and research on green tea and its relationship to metabolic rate. Conclusively, they found that green tea raises the metabolic rate, speeds up fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. All this translates to quicker and absolute weight loss. They also found green tea increases energy and endurance thus leading to more productive lifestyles and exercise routines. All this equates to weight loss for green tea users.

*Improved Fat Metabolism- As suggested in the study above, it has been proven that green tea increases endurance by improving fat metabolism. Clearly this translates to greater weight loss with less, yet easier, effort.

*Possible Anti-Diabetes Effect- As of January 2008, there is epidemiological (study of controlling and preventing diseases) evidence that suggests strongly that regular drinking of green tea may help in preventing diabetes.

*Boosts Mental Alertness- The amino acid L-theanine found in green tea diligently alters the attention networks in the brain resulting in a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind. This was proven scientifically in September 2007 by a research team at The City University of New York.

*Boosts the Immune System- Studies in 2003 at the Brigham and Women's Hospitals showed that green increases the anti-bacterial proteins that fight infection up to five times greater than those in the study who did not regularly consume green tea.

*Lowers Chance of Cognitive Impairment- A 2006 Japanese study showed that elderly Japanese people who drank two cups of green day a day had a 50% lower chance of developing cognitive impairment in comparison to those who either drank fewer amounts of green tea, or none at all. This is believed to be the result of the amino acid EGCG found in green tea.

*Lower Stress Hormone Levels- Stress levels have been found to be lower in green tea drinkers due to the lowering of cortisol, which is a hormone linked to stress and stress symptoms.

*Inhibition of HIV Virus- A June 2007 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that green tea can lead to the inhibition or repression of the HIV virus. Many doctors today recommend that those individuals suffering from HIV complement their medicine with regular green tea consumption.

*Inflammatory Bowel Disease- Various amino acids found in green tea have been shown to decrease the inflammation found in this disease.

*Decreased Bad Breath-Certain polyphenols found in green tea assist in inhibiting the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath. This has been shown by researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago

With all these health benefits provided by green tea it is no wonder that we all do not regularly consume green tea; for to aid in our overall health, without question, it is an addition to our diet that needs to be strongly considered. In regard specifically to weight loss, a few important aspects were touched upon above.

Green tea increases the rate of the metabolism, increases endurance and increases energy by accelerating fat metabolism. These elements are all critical in the quest of weight loss.

Further, in assisting in managing healthy weight, green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol which is vital in healthy weight maintenance.

Green tea may not be a miracle cure for weight loss, however with all the other health benefits it provides, green tea needs to be a part of anyone's nutritional diet that is serious about maintaining a high quality of life while looking their absolute best!