Green Tea to Raise Metabolism

The metabolism turns calories and fat from food into energy. A slow metabolism can result in easier weight gain and difficulty in shedding unwanted pounds. Green tea is renowned for its many health properties; now, green tea is being investigated for its ability to raise metabolic rate.

Study's Findings

• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently found that green tea increased metabolic rate and increased oxidation of fat. Another study by the University of Geneva administered three doses of green tea extract to 10 men. Both studies found that the green tea increased the metabolic rate by an average of 4 percent.

Daily Dose

• The recommended daily intake of green tea from this study ranges from three to five cups of green tea per day. The amount of actual ingredients received from a cup of tea varies. Some tea bags may produce more tea then others. For people suffering from sleep disorders, discuss with your health care provider about how much tea should be consumed.

Supplements and Patches

• Green tea supplements, patches and tea bags can be purchased at a health food store or online. The tea version is the easiest to find, nearly all grocery stores and health food stores carry green tea. Green tea patches can be purchased more readily online. The patch delivers measured doses of green tea extract over 24 hours; the patch is to be worn once a day. The supplements can be found at specialty health food stores and online. The administration of supplements varies by brand and potency. Always follow directions on supplement bottles unless directed otherwise by a health care professional.