Using Oolong Tea to Lose Weight
Research linking oolong tea (also known as wulong tea) to weight loss has piqued a lot of people's interests, so we'll examine it.
Let's go back to the first
Tea is derived from a single plant. Tea must originate from the Camellia Sinensis plant; herbs, on the other hand, can originate from a wide range of botanical sources. Polyphenols are chemical substances that plants have evolved to produce in response to photosynthetic stresses. The polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables, such as flavonoids, belong to the same beneficial class of molecules called antioxidants.
Processing is what differentiates oolong tea from green tea. At the time of harvest, every type of tea is fully verdant. To stop the leaf's natural enzymatic process (oxidation), green tea is heated. The next step, when the leaves have dried, is to roll them so as to deliberately destroy the cell structure. The process of making oolong tea involves picking the leaves, storing them in a controlled environment, and then letting them oxidize. Due to accidental damage, the majority of the cell structure remains intact in these leaves. Although they all originate from the same plant, the processing variations give each type of tea its own unique benefits.
The Link Between Weight Loss and
Raising energy expenditure (EE) and decreasing nutrient absorption, particularly of carbs and fats, are the two primary strategies for lowering food-related body weight. It is commonly believed that the caffeine in tea causes EE since it is a stimulant and speeds up metabolism. The next question is if other components in the tea are also contributing to the increase or if it is solely the caffeine.
Study Results
For a long time, the Chinese have held the belief that oolong tea can help with weight loss and maintenance. In 1998, researchers in China found that 102 women who drank oolong tea continuously for six weeks lost weight. The findings of this study prompted more investigations into the possible role of other chemicals in tea's weight reduction effects.
The old Chinese concept that oolong tea is useful in managing body weight was researched in 2001 by physiologist Dr. William Rumpler of the US Agriculture Research Services' Diet and Human Laboratory. Twelve male volunteers were involved in the study, and they were given four different beverage formulae over the course of three days to determine the effect of tea on energy expenditure (EE). One recipe called "full strength oolong tea" was among the four options, while the others included "half strength oolong tea," "non caffeinated water," and more caffeinated water.
Results from measuring the subjects' 24-hour EE were as follows:
Full-strength oolong tea or caffeinated water resulted in approximately 3% higher EE levels than the non-caffeinated water.
- When participants drank the maximum strength oolong tea, they burnt an additional 67 calories daily, on average.
Compared to the caffeinated water, participants whose diets included full-strength oolong tea had a whopping 12% increase in fat oxidation, or fat burning.
The results show that caffeine isn't the only ingredient that encourages fat to be used as an energy source.
Amazingly, this study found that fat oxidation increased. You may trick your body into using fat stores as fuel just by drinking oolong tea! Researchers then hypothesised that caffeine and EGCGs enhanced fat oxidation in a synergistic fashion.
Further investigation on the weight-loss effects of oolong and green tea was undertaken in a 2003 Japanese study. Eleven young women in good health took part in this randomized controlled trial. One participant received oolong tea, two received powdered green tea leaves, and the third received water.
The water for both teas was brought to a boil. After five minutes of steeping, the oolong tea was mixed with powdered green tea leaves.
The findings were ascertained following the completion of the measurements;
- EE levels were consistently greater in oolong tea throughout the entire steeping process and at30,60,90, and 120 minute intervals.
- The EE levels of oolong and green tea reached their highest point at 90 minutes and maintained that level until 120 minutes.
Based on these findings, drinking oolong tea can lead to a two-hour increase in energy expenditure compared to drinking water or green tea.
These intriguing results were also produced by measuring the amounts of polyphenols, caffeine, and specific catechins;
Compared to oolong tea, green tea had substantially higher levels of caffeine and EGCG.
Compared to green tea, oolong tea has a far higher proportion of polymerized polyphenols.
These results disprove the idea that caffeine or EGCGs alone are responsible for the fat-burning effects of tea and instead point to the polymerized polyphenols seen in oolong tea in particular. In addition, the remaining chemicals in the teas were either same or very comparable, with no discernible variances, which further supports the findings.
Our research shows that oolong tea has a long-lasting effect on energy expenditure (EE)—up to 120 minutes—and can encourage the body to use fat for energy instead of carbs, making it a useful tool for weight loss and maintenance. Now let's talk about nutrition absorption.
The weight loss effects of oolong tea are believed to be due in large part to its ability to inhibit the absorption of carbs and lipids. Initial investigations suggest that oolong tea may have absorption-blocking properties, although further research is need to confirm this.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are the tried-and-true ways for losing weight and maintaining the weight loss. These beneficial effects can be amplified and yielded more rapidly with oolong tea.
The Truth Is
Despite what some deceptive "professionals" in the marketing industry have recently said, oolong tea is not a magic bullet.
-The effectiveness of oolong tea is not dependent on its price. A thirty day supply of subpar oolong should not cost $39.95. You get out of it what you put in.
Research has not shown that oolongs from a particular region are more effective fat burners than oolongs from other regions. What matters is the processing.
Adding two cups of oolong tea to your daily routine and expecting to lose 20 pounds in 30 days is just hype. According to this, I would be a size 2.
It's unrealistic to expect to lose that much weight in only 30 days on a diet, with regular exercise and oolong tea.
If something seems too wonderful to be true, it probably is!
The Truth About Oolong
Oolong teas are wonderful whether served hot or chilled.
Numerous reasonably priced varieties of oolong tea are available.
Indulge in a cup of oolong 30 to 60 minutes before your exercise, yoga, or stroll, and feel the benefits all day long!
- If you want to avoid sugar cravings and energy slumps in the afternoon, drink some oolong.
All of these things help you lose weight and keep it off in a healthy way.