Most people love drinking tea, which makes it the second most consumed drink after water. There is a huge variety of teas to choose from, but green tea, happens to be the best. It comes with numerous health benefits as it has essential nutrients to provide. One of the most common problems that we face is increasing weight, and green tea helps you fight that too. In this article, we will go through some lovely green tea recipes, so that you can choose the one you’d want to relish along with reducing the fat content on your body.
Weight loss with green tea
Green tea is less processed and that is why it has high concentration of polyphenols which you get in some more types of tea like black and oolong. It is an active ingredient which fights weight loss. You might also prevent body fat from accumulating futher. This also increases the temperature of your body and burns down calories. Along with polyphenols, green tea includes caffeine. This improves the body to burn calories and fat. A research had suggested that we burn 9 extra calories with every 100 milligrams of caffeine we drink.
How much of green tea to consume?
For getting enough amount of caffeine and polyphenols can reduce weight, you ought to drink 2-3 cups of green tea everyday. Depending on brewing techniques, about 1 cup of green tea has 120 to 320 milligrams of polyphenols and 10 to 60 milligrams of caffeine.
There are numerous studies that have been taken place for getting the exact result of weight loss. It is also important to note that most studies include green tea extracts and not the actual form of tea. Getting catechin-rich green tea will be better than drinking regular green tea, for weight loss. It is also known to improve conditions of type 2 diabetes.
Recipes to consume green tea
There are healthy ingredients which can be added to green tea for making the consumption a little more tasty and healthy. Let us go through the best of these:
Iced green tea
This is a low calorie recipe which will reduce fat and also lower chances of Alzheimer’s and diabetes. The pure form of green tea is of course the most useful for extracting the best of the ingredient. It improves metabolism and improves digestion. Take 4 cups of boiling water and add 6-8 bags of green tea to it. Add artificial and non-caloric sweetener and then add 2 cups of cold water. Let tea come to consumable temperature, after which you can serve and drink.
Iced lavender green tea
This drink is low on calories and gives you the essence of lavender which adds a subtle flavor. This makes you avoid the need of sugar and also get the benefits of lavender. Get lavender blossoms from food store and add it to your green tea.
Take ½ cup of water and heat till it simmers. Remove from heat and add four tea bags with 2 teaspoons of lavender blossoms. Steep it for 5 minutes and then strain in a bowl. Let it cool and then pour prepared tea in a glass full of ice. Add one lavender sprig if possible and sip through.
Green- tea cranberry spritzer
Fruits and veggies are the best for weight loss, but you double up the benefit by adding green tea to it! This recipe is of a refreshing cranberry spritzer, which can be made for some real tasty refreshment!
Take 1/3 cup of water and add it to a saucepan to boil. Add sugar to taste, but try and add as less as possible. Wait for the sugar to dissolve. Add 4 tea bags in the water and wait for 2 minutes. Now, remove the tea bags and let the liquid cool. Add ½ cup of cranberry juice and divide tea the drink in four ice glasses. Add some soda to the drink and serve.
Green tea, almond and blue berry smoothie
The combination of these ingredients will boost metabolism and burn fat really fast. Almond is known for improving skin quality and weight loss process too. This is a yummy smoothie which you will love to slurp through at one go!
Bring 3/4th cup of water to boil and add 2 green tea bags. Steep for 4 minutes and then remove tea bags after squeezing. Let tea refrigerate overnight. If you use fresh blueberries then you will have to put them to chill too. Now all the tea, 2 cups of blueberries, fat free vanilla yogurt, 2 tablespoons of flax seeds and 2 tablespoons of almond in a mixer. Make a neat smoothie and add to a glass full of ice.
Lemon grass and ginger iced tea
Lemon grass and ginger subtle the flavor of the tea and makes it perfect for all tea lovers. With the goodness of more antioxidants and less of caffeine, green tea will keep you energized all day!
Wash 1 stalk of lemon grass well, and cut into 2 inches of length. Take a large knife to crush it. Take a saucepan and add 2 cups of water with 7 ginger slices, lemon grass extract and slight sugar and bring to boil. Take the pan off fire and then add the 6 green tea bags. Let them soak for 5 minutes. Remove the bags and smell the flavor! Let the tea cool for 30 minutes and then pour tea into pitcher by using a strainer. Cover tea and let it chill for 2 hours. Divide the drink in four and add ice!