More and more these days, we see people who want to achieve things instantly. The terms “instant gratification” and “short attention span” are practically taglines for modern culture. And it’s as prevalent as ever when it comes to diets and weight loss, especially in America. And this impatience usually causes a dieter to resort to taking weight loss pills or supplements to try to get rid of the fat faster.

But people have been more hesitant to use them lately due to recent controversy over the dangers of the use of diet and weight loss. See, several weight loss pills are based on certain questionable substances, like ephedra, that may be harmful to the body. This is why researchers are working to find other potential resources to make weight loss pills that are safer for people to use.

A study that was recently published conducted at the University of Geneva focused on the weight loss benefits of green tea extract. This study demonstrated that green tea has certain antioxidants in them like catechin polyphenols and flavonoids that help in increasing metabolic rates of the body. The publication of the study’s results was the main thing that prompted several pharmaceutical companies to incorporate green tea extract into their weight loss pills.

Carmellia Sinensis – The Tea Plant

Like many other widely used teas like oolong, black tea, and white tea, green tea is made from the herb Carmellia Sinensis - also known as the tea plant. The tea plant originally came from China where it was specifically cultivated for its various medicinal and health benefits. Today, green tea is known to possess certain substances that can help fight or cure several diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and even ulcers. Part of this is because green tea contains flavonoids that fight free radicals - which can be harmful for the body.

But it is for its thermogenic and appetite suppressing properties that pharmaceutical companies are also using extracts of green tea as one of the main ingredients in weight loss pills.

Green Tea, the Weight Loss Pill

Weight loss pills are based on a two-fold purpose: to both slow down fat intake and to expedite fat burning. Ideally, weight loss pills should do both of these things.

Most pills do one or the other. For instance, ingredients in weight loss pills such as Hoodia Gordonii can suppress hunger to help stop food cravings. Another important ingredient in major weight loss pills on the market is glucosamine, which can delay the effect of insulin, thus directly transforming sugar into energy rather than fat. Other components of a typical weight loss pill include citrus fiber, cocoa extract (a diuretic), vanadium, and glucomannan, all of which have anti-hunger properties.

Now, adding green tea extract to weight loss pills has become common practice among pharmaceutical companies. Like cocoa extract, green tea is also an effective natural diuretic. Green tea can help rid the body of extra water that contributes to bloating and puffiness of the body.

But aside from being a diuretic, green tea is also burns fat. The catechin polyphenols found in green tea effectively increases the metabolic rates of the body and also reduce food intake.

When you consider the fact that green tea contains both of the weight loss properties, its no wonder that it’s being used in weigh loss products as well as vitamins and other health supplements.

"Tea first. Then be ready."

-Twin Peaks
Episode 5