From: "Rich Gauszka" 


"Ellen K."  wrote in message
news:gfrvn1tnbhmdspnc0brqnr9maq8lgksphi{at}4ax.com...
> Green tea doesn't have much caffeine.   Supposedly it helps people lose
> weight, have you found that to be true?
>
>

Green tea appears to have major health benefits but weight loss may be an iffy one

http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA353051/

EGCG stands for epigallocatechin-3-gallate. It is the main antioxidant in
tea, said to be more than 100 times more powerful than vitamin C. There is
more of it in white and green tea than in black tea.

Despite its many beneficial effects, I know of no good evidence to suggest
that EGCG promotes weight loss. A study at the University of Chicago did
show that rats injected with EGCG lost their appetites and ate up to 60
percent less than normal, but there was no effect on the rats' appetites
when they were given EGCG orally. The researchers who conducted the study
speculated that long-term oral administration of

EGCG
might have the same effect on appetite as the injections but cautioned that
humans would have to drink green tea constantly to get the results seen in
the animal study. Furthermore, the EGCG injections caused hormonal changes
in the rats that could have negative effects on health if they occurred in
humans.
The research most often cited in advertisements for weight-loss products
containing EGCG include a very small study (only 10 men took part)
published in the December 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. It showed that 90 mg of EGCG plus 50 mg of caffeine boosted
metabolism. Another study mentioned in the ads was published in the January
1, 2002 issue of Phytomedicine and suggested that taking EGCG supplements
might result in a weight loss of about 2.5 pounds per month. Emphasis is on
"might." I'd suggest drinking green tea for its proven health
benefits and forget about EGCG for losing weight. Instead, concentrate on
eating less



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9160708/

At the recent International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition and
Cancer sponsored by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR),
scientists presented new evidence about phytochemicals in green tea that
may help prevent normal cells from developing into cancer and spreading.

Yet people may wonder if drinking green tea is worthwhile, because the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) refused to allow a health claim for green tea
on labels this summer.

Although more evidence is needed to justify a strong statement about green
tea's ability to lower the risk of cancer, it is not a bad idea to include
this beverage in a healthful, mostly plant-based diet.

Black tea is the most frequently consumed tea in the U.S., but green tea
contains far higher levels of the phytochemical EGCG. Both oolong and black
teas, including the common orange pekoe, lose some of their EGCG as they
are processed. However, green tea leaves are steamed or baked before they
can oxidize, so their EGCG levels remain high.

Since it is a powerful antioxidant, EGCG may help prevent both heart
disease and cancer. It helps to stabilize highly reactive molecules known
as free radicals that can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of
heart disease, or alter the DNA in our genes, promoting cancerous changes.
In addition, EGCG may protect against cancer development by increasing the
self-destruction of cancer cells and by affecting enzymes and the signals
between cells, slowing the growth and multiplication of cancer cells.

But while the evidence of EGCG's ability to deter cancer is quite strong in
laboratory studies, population studies show much less consistent benefits.
The inconsistent population evidence is one of the primary reasons that the
FDA recently refused to approve a health claim on the labels of products
with green tea that would link its consumption with lower cancer risk.

Benefits some more than others
In the FDA's view, the effectiveness of foods in laboratory studies is
merely background material. Consistent evidence among populations is key to
supporting health claims. However, researchers point out that the
laboratory studies, which are overwhelmingly positive about the health
effects of EGCG, are necessary to explain the results of population
studies. Without them, we would not know what EGCG is or what it can do.

Furthermore, inconsistent results from population studies do not mean that
there is no benefit to drinking green tea. Human studies show that the
antioxidant capacity of the blood does increase about an hour after
drinking green tea.

Other studies show that markers of DNA damage decrease after drinking even
black tea or decaf green tea, both of which contain less EGCG than regular
green tea.

The differences in health impact that are seen among green tea drinkers in
population studies may mean that green tea benefits some people more than
others. Genetic variations, varying exposures to risk-producing substances
like tobacco, or different diets could all help explain the differences
seen in these studies.

One study, for example, suggests that tea and soy may produce contrary
benefits. Eating one of these foods may decrease the potential benefits
from the other one.

Drinking massive amounts of green tea will never be able to save us from
the ill effects of overeating a poorly balanced diet and living a sedentary
lifestyle.

Eating a mostly plant-based diet, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping
physically active and avoiding tobacco are the most effective steps we can
take to lower our cancer risk. However, for those of us who would like to
do a little more to reduce the risk of cancer, replacing three or four cups
of coffee or soda per day with green tea is a reasonable step that may
bring a variety of health benefits.

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