Western cultures are experiencing a growing problem of increased incidence of obesity-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other diseases of wealth. With the increase in obesity-related diseases, fat metabolism has been receiving more and more attention.
Adipose tissue (fat cells) is an endocrine organ that is present throughout our body. Fat plays a very important role as the body’s main energy reserve for periods of excess energy and causes fat to be broken down and used for energy. Not only does it regulate energy balance, but the hormones secreted by fat cells are extremely important in driving metabolic processes, insulin sensitivity, and the immune response.
We increase our fat tissue primarily in two ways: 1) an increase in the size of the fat cells, 2) an increase in the number of fat cells we have. But, there is only one way to get rid of them, adipogenesis (fat burning). There are several factors that influence the life cycle of a fat cell, and if we can figure out how to increase the rate of adipogenesis, we can decrease stored fat, helping to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases.
There seems to be an ongoing debate as to whether polyphenols and xanthines can help increase the rate of adipogenesis and therefore decrease the life of a fat cell. Since white tea is low-processing in nature, it seems to be enriched with higher concentrations of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and also methylxanthines (like caffeine), which are active substances that have been shown to speed up fat loss compared to with green tea. and black tea.
Researchers in Germany decided to take a look at how a white tea extract affects adipogenesis and published their results in Nutrition & Metabolism 2009, 6:20. What they found was a decrease in triglyceride accumulation (fat storage) without affecting viability.
Fat is present both as visceral and subcutaneous fat in the human body. More and more research is being published indicating that tea and its bioactive components have a direct effect on how we metabolize fat, presenting unique opportunities to develop treatments and prevent the diseases of aging by harnessing the power of natural plants.
White tea is the least processed form of tea and has the highest levels of EGCG, other polyphenols, methylxanthines, and caffeine. In this particular study, white tea extracts were applied directly to fat tissue. Now, when we consume tea or other tea extracts, our digestive system breaks down those compounds and therefore they are not absorbed in the amounts of the forms that we ingest it. So remember that if someone cites the fat-burning effects of a tea extract, make sure their studies were on people who ingested it, and not that the extract was applied directly to fat cells.
Therefore, drinking green tea will have tremendous benefits and is by far one of the best beverage choices you can make, as long as you don’t add sugar. So count on drinking tons of white tea and magically losing all your excess fat. If you’re consuming large amounts of processed carbs and not getting the proper ratio of other macronutrients to balance your life hormone levels, it’s unlikely you’ll see any benefit from extra cups of tea.
But if you want to regain control of your life, you need to find a nutrition plan that is designed to balance your hormone levels and start a fitness program that is specifically designed to increase testosterone and growth hormone (the main hormones of life in women and men).
Remember, aging is inevitable, but looking and feeling old is optional.