Now that the year is beginning, many of us have decided to lose weight, if not for beauty, then for health. It is well known that being at the ideal weight not only makes us look better but also makes us feel better, lighter, with more energy and, most importantly, we take care of our health, from the cardiovascular system to the joints.

There are countless diets and recipes to achieve this; a while ago, the “Ulong” tea diet became fashionable. I was skeptical about it because I knew that there are other teas that are more effective for this purpose. After investigating further, I saw that there are studies about infusions made with Camellia Sinensis, that is, with any type of tea (white, green, ulong, black and pu erh), which support the fact that drinking tea makes our body burn more calories due to the flavonoids present in it.

On the other hand, it contains some caffeine, which is known to also accelerate the burning of calories, and as if that were not enough, other studies revealed that when drinking tea you do not absorb the same amount of fat that you eat, that is, you eliminate it without absorbing it.

Here are some of the news that have come out regarding these studies:

“TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT? ANOTHER BENEFIT OF GREEN TEA!”

Compared to placebo and caffeine, consumption of a green tea extract produced a significant 4% increase in 24-hour energy expenditure. If you consume 2000 calories a day and are not gaining or losing weight, i.e. are in energy balance, a 4% increase in your energy expenditure will translate into a difference of 80 calories a day. Over a year, this can result in 40 kg of weight loss!!!

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 1999

“DRINKING TEA DAILY BURNS EXTRA CALORIES”

In 1999, a Swiss study found that 6 out of 10 men who took green tea capsules burned an average of 80 extra calories a day, the equivalent of 3 tablespoons of ice cream, 7 French fries or a doughnut. A second study, conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that 67 extra calories were burned if 5 cups of black tea were consumed daily.

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, June 200 3

“RECENT STUDIES SHOW THAT IN THE BATTLE TO LOSE WEIGHT, GREEN TEA MAY BE BETTER THAN CAFFEINE ALONE”

According to a new study, green tea appears to speed up the burning of calories (including those from fat). Researchers suggest that compounds in green tea called flavonoids may change how the body uses a hormone called norepinephrine, which causes more calories to be burned.

Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness, April 2000

There are also studies on a specific type of tea, Pu erh, which has been taken for centuries in China and is known for its purifying and detoxifying effects, in addition to lowering levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) thanks to an antioxidant present in it, lovastatin.

So it doesn't matter which tea you prefer! If you're aiming to lose weight or improve your health, I invite you to drink 4 cups of tea a day; prepare it slowly, those 3-5 minutes it takes you to prepare an authentic EURO TE whole leaf tea will also help you lower your stress level during the day, and enjoy every sip.

Here is my recommendation:

• Morning tea: 1 cup of Matcha EURO TE, to have the energy you need to start the day, its L'theanine will help you concentrate on work or school.

• Mid-day tea: 2 cups of EURO TE flavored white tea (my favorite is the White Peach Orchid), sweetened with a little Stevia, will help you get to mealtime without feeling hungry. Also, since it is a diuretic, you will go to the bathroom and eliminate toxins.

• After-meal tea: 2 cups of Pu erh, to inhibit the absorption of fat from the food and help digestion. This type of tea has a bit of caffeine that will give you energy for the rest of the afternoon and prevent the pig's disease, haha.

• Tea at night: 1 cup of ulong tea or green tea, unless you are very sensitive to caffeine, then better change it for white tea. I recommend that you drink it at least 1 hour before going to sleep since as I said before, it is a diuretic.

Try drinking different teas at different times. At EURO TE we have 100 varieties of teas (pure and flavoured) of the best quality and carefully selected by me, for you.

Cheers to Tea and a very Happy New Year!

Olivia Medina de Jönsson

Tea Master, EURO TEA