Oolong Tea & Weight Loss

Are you ready for some bad news? Oolong tea isn't an "ancient Chinese weight loss secret" that will allow you to "lose 50 pounds in one month" like some marketing hype might try to lead you to believe. Like the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Oolong & Weight Loss

However, combined with proper diet and exercise, it can be a fantastic weight loss aid. In the East, it's long held a reputation for helping to keep people slim. In fact, greasy foods are often accompanied by some type of Oolong tea.

There have been many medical studies that prove these weight loss and health benefits, and we'll detail a few of them below. But first let's look at the science behind why Oolong so good at fighting fat.

Oolong: A Natural Obesity Fighter

Obesity is caused by an excess accumulation of fat in the body. This occurs when food (including sugar and fat) is synthesized into a substance called triglyceride in the liver and small intestine which is then carried into the bloodstream to other tissues in the body.

Triglyceride is used as source of energy for life support and physical activities, and is very necessary. The problem comes about when there are excess amounts of triglyceride, because then it's turned into fat which subsequently causes obesity.

That's where Oolong tea comes in. Oolong contains high amounts of polyphenols which activate the enzyme that is responsible for dissolving excess triglyceride. Continuous consumption of the tea greatly contributes to boosting the metabolism and fighting obesity.

Caffeine is Good...No Really

Oolong tea also contains caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and causes fat to be released into the blood stream for the body to use as fuel for everyday activities. This process of fat being used for energy is called "thermogenesis". By stimulating this process, Oolong provides extra energy, sheds excess water, and also helps to burn body fat.

Doctor Studying Oolong Tea

Weight Loss Studies

The following are a few scientific studies that show the fat burning power of Oolong tea:

* Scientists at the Suntory Research Center in Japan discovered that consuming Oolong tea 15 minutes before eating high-carbohydrate foods curbed rises in insulin and reduced the fattening effect of carbohydrate intake.

* A study published in the Journal of Medical Investigation found that women who consumed Oolong tea directly after a meal increased energy expenditure and calorie burning by 10% compared to 0% for women who drank only water.

* In 1998 a six week Chinese study of 102 females found that continuous consumption of Oolong tea resulted in a reduction in body weight.

Final Word

Although it's not a miracle weight loss solution, Oolong tea has been medically proven to get you faster results if you drink it along with a good diet and exercise plan. Not only does it increase in the fat burning process, it actually blocks fat absorption at the same time. It's simply a wonderful tool to help you lose weight.