Losing Weight with Green Tea

Numerous studies suggest that green tea and green tea extract can improve lipid metabolism, increase the basal metabolic rate and have a positive effect on the digestive tract, liver and hormone system. These factors are highly beneficial for those aiming to reach their ideal weight.

But not all green tea is the same; a plethora of varieties exist, which each have different ingredients and health workings. In order to develop an optimal effect, we recommend the daily consumption of a balanced blend of different green teas, made up exclusively of high-quality, steamed Japanese green teas. Pan-heated or roasted teas – almost all Chinese and Indian green teas – are much less suitable for this purpose.

The benefits of green tea for the metabolism, weight loss and health in general depend on the combination of active ingredients and quality of the green tea. These are mainly determined by the following parameters:

• Selecting the right varieties according to this application
• Only using steamed not pan-heated or roasted teas
• The quality of the tea garden
• The right preparation, dosage and combination of teas

Green Tea Weight Loss Package in Overview

For the most effective support possible, the following tea packages are recommended in the article >>Losing Weight with Green Tea<<:

In the following, we recommend weekly plans for each of the different packages. Preparation details can be found below.

1st Weekly Plan: Green Tea Basic Package with Matcha

The basic package is simple to take: 1 portion of Gyokuro in the morning, 1 portion of Sencha at midday and 1 portion of Bancha in the evening. In addition, 1 portion of Matcha 2-3 x per week. Extremely caffeine-sensitive people should exchange the Gyokuro with a Sencha Karigane and the Sencha with a second Bancha; Bancha and especially Karigane are relatively low in caffeine.

When drinking green tea, it is important to observe a period of about 20-30 minutes before/after eating a meal. It is also vital to drink 1-2 litres of fresh still water daily. If you are taking medication or are ill, please discuss this with your doctor beforehand.

In addition to this article, please carefully read the comprehensive article >>Preparation of Green Tea<<. This is because the key to using this incredible plant effectively lies in the correct preparation of the tea, using the right utensils and other factors. Further tips can also be found in the article >>Preparation for Diseases and Health Maintenance<<. 

2nd Weekly Plan: Basic Package plus Liver Activation & Appetite Suppressant 

With the package for liver activation and appetite suppressant (Benifuuki and Hoodia) the workings of the basic package are accelerated and strengthened. Therefore, the treatment course should be introduced gradually and, from time to time, break periods should be made. Hoodia tea suppresses the feeling of hunger and helps keep the mood lifted. It thus makes treatment easier. 

From 6th week:

• For 2 weeks at a time, repeat weeks 3 and 4. Followed by one week’s break (like week 5)
• Repeat weeks 3 to 5 until a significant loss of weight has occurred
• Afterwards stop taking Hoodia tea and Benifuuki powder
• The basic package plus Matcha can be consumed long term

4th Week Plan: Complete Package to Lose Weight with Green Tea

For the most intensive effect and in stubborn cases, the additional use of green tea extract can be a useful addition, since it adds catechins in a concentrated form. These should never be taken on an empty stomach (liver) and only as part of a treatment course. 

From 6th week:

• For 2 weeks at a time, repeat weeks 3 and 4. Followed by one week’s break (like week 5)
• Repeat weeks 3 to 5 until a significant loss of weight has occurred
• Afterwards cease taking Hoodia tea, Benifuuki powder and green tea extract
• Basic package plus Matcha can/should be consumed long term

Preparation Recommendations

The following table gives an overview of how to prepare the above-mentioned teas in premium quality. The given information is applicable to healthy adults. Young people should at least halve the dosage according to their lower body weight. People with a body weight over 100kg body weight can increase the dosage (number of teaspoons) by half.

For further reading, see Green Tea Preparation. Details on the best preparation of Matcha (and Benifuuki powder) can be found in the articles >>Preparation of Matcha<< and >>Benifuuki<<. Plus, our article on tea utensils gives an overview of the best accessories for the simplest and quickest tea preparation. 

Which Quality of Green Tea is Sufficient?

Only loose-leaf, premium-quality green teas should be purchased. In the case of metabolic problems and obesity, or when results are required fast, we recommend an even higher quality: super premium. More information on how to purchase the right green teas can be found in our Buyers’ Guide. 

Dosage

For a noticeable effect on the metabolism, adults should consume and prepare green tea as follows: per serving of Sencha, Bancha and Hoodia at least 2 well-heaped teaspoons and for Gyokuro 3 heaped teaspoons, each with approx. 0.2-0.3 l of fresh, still water. The dosage should be halved for young people: 1 well heaped teaspoon per serving (1.5 teaspoons for Gyokuro) and for the best effect taken with 0.3 l water. People with a body weight over 100 kg can increase the indicated number of teaspoons by half.

Caffeine in Green Tea

The varieties Gyokuro, Sencha, Bancha and Benifuuki contain a significant amount of caffeine. Here it is much more tolerable for the body than it is in coffee or other caffeinated drinks through green tea’s high content of L-Theanine and particular tannins, which bind to the caffeine. When found in this way, caffeine has a beneficial influence on the metabolism. At the same time, however, you should make sure that you do not consume too much caffeine daily. Bancha has a significantly lower amount of caffeine, which is one of the reasons why we recommend it in the evening.

People who are particularly caffeine sensitive can replace Gyokuro with a Sencha Karigane and Sencha with Bancha. If Matcha and Benifuuki powder also cause problems, the dosage should be reduced until no more side effects occur.

For further reading, see our article Caffeine and Tea. 

When is Best to Drink Green Tea?

The table above gives the best time of day to consume the respective green teas: Gyokuro in the morning; Hoodia in the late morning; Sencha, Matcha, Benifuuki powder and green tea extract at midday or in the afternoon; and Bancha in the evening. Do not drink green tea on an empty stomach or directly after eating, as it can disrupt the absorption of nutrients (observe a period of 20 mins before/after eating). We advise consuming the teas between meals. Bancha can also be drunk relatively soon after dinner.

Drink Water in Addition to Tea

Highly important: green tea uses up water in the body; one of the last things you want when you have metabolic problems is to dehydrate the body. With every serving of green tea, it is vital to drink the same amount in fresh, still water – ideally with a break of 10-20 minutes between. If the green tea still causes thirst, temporarily reduce the tea dosage and try to increase it again over time.

Successful Weight Loss with Green Tea

The most important factor in using green tea successfully is listening to your body and not forcing yourself to drink it to reach your weight loss goals. If you feel uncomfortable drinking tea or if any >>side effects<< occur, you should reduce your consumption until you no longer feel any negative effects. It may also be necessary to avoid Sencha in the initial phase and drink Bancha or Sencha Karigane instead, as these varieties are generally more tolerable.

Later you can try again with Sencha at a lower dosage, increasing servings incrementally. Gyokuro is usually better tolerated, but the same still applied. Even with Bancha, which is generally very well tolerated, it is sometimes necessarily to start with small servings and gradually increase. Under no circumstances should you force yourself to drink green tea! The benefits of green tea have an effect even with small dosages. Listen to your system if it tells you that certain larger quantities are too much. A “more is more” mind-set is counterproductive when it comes to tea and antithetical to a holistic approach. 

Diseases and Interactions

In the case of diseases or serious medical problems, it is essential to consult a doctor or alternative medicine practitioner to obtain a thorough diagnosis and treatment. The intake of green tea should also be discussed in advance. For further information, see the article >>Risks<< and specifically the section of the article on green tea’s possible interaction with certain medications.