Visceral fat is the type of fat that accumulates around the internal organs, posing a high risk for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Daily consumption of green tea is considered a natural and safe way to control visceral fat thanks to its rich content of antioxidants and important bio-compounds.
Green tea contains a large amount of catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) – a polyphenol with powerful antioxidant properties. According to research by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), EGCG not only helps reduce the level of fat accumulation in the body but also enhances the process of burning fat, especially visceral fat.
EGCG works by stimulating fat-burning enzymes, increasing metabolism and helping the body use energy more efficiently.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking 2-3 cups of green tea per day for 12 weeks can significantly reduce visceral fat and improve body fat percentage.
The antioxidants in green tea help improve the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby helping to regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of visceral fat accumulation due to metabolic disorders.
Green tea also contains a small amount of caffeine, which helps boost energy metabolism and stimulates fat oxidation. According to a report by the American Heart Association (AHA), the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea has a positive effect on the body's metabolism, thereby helping to reduce body fat, especially visceral fat.
Caffeine helps increase thermogenesis – the process by which the body produces heat and burns calories to maintain body temperature, which makes fat loss more effective when combined with a healthy diet.
In addition to its fat-reducing effects, green tea also has significant benefits in protecting cardiovascular health. Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that regular consumption of green tea helps reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and diseases related to visceral fat.
Visceral fat accumulation is often closely linked to cardiovascular problems, so drinking green tea helps control not only visceral fat but also maintains overall cardiovascular health.
To maximize the benefits of green tea in reducing visceral fat, experts recommend drinking 2-3 cups of green tea per day. However, it should be noted that green tea contains caffeine, so drinking it in the late afternoon or evening may affect sleep.
A cup of green tea in the morning or after a meal is an ideal choice to help stimulate digestion and burn calories. Do not add sugar to green tea to avoid adding unnecessary calories, especially when the goal is to reduce visceral fat.
