If you've ever wondered why the Chinese are so sylphlike in their physique, perhaps you should look no further than green tea. Granted, they may naturally be endowed with their slim figures, but daily intake of this beverage could well play a role. After all, this bitter concoction is filled with antioxidants that have been shown to promote weight loss and prevent certain types of cancers. EPCG or epigallocatechin gallate are the antioxidants in green tea that hastens the rate of metabolism to burn more calories. Aside from this, EPCG also suppresses appetite, significantly lessening food intake. When your caloric intake is lowered, you lose weight.

The green tea diet for weight loss hinges on the power of antioxidants to shed off the excess pounds. There are different kinds of green tea preparation available in the market today. There are green tea leaves, bottled green tea, green tea patches and green tea pills. The kind of preparation you choose for your diet will largely be determined by your taste preference and convenience.

To prepare green tea leaves, get about a teaspoon of green tea leaves and brew them in a cup of hot water for three minutes. Drink two to three cups a day to facilitate weight loss. If you can't stand the tart taste, perhaps you might want to take the green tea pills instead. Read the instructions and take the pills as prescribed. Usually, you will be asked to take one or two per day. If you prefer, use green tea patches but make sure that you change them everyday.

The good thing about the green tea diet is that drinking this antioxidant-laden beverage is also good for the immune system. Regular intake of green tea promotes digestive and respiratory health, protecting the individual from common viruses that cause sickness and disease. It is also good for heart health since it lowers cholesterol and protects cell damage that can cause the Big C. Aside from its benefits to one's physical health, green tea also promotes mental focus and clarity making it beneficial for psychological wellness.

While it is very effective for weight loss, green tea should not be used as a substitute for exercise. Rather, you can accelerate your fat loss efforts if you combine it with a regular workout regimen. Cardiovascular workouts like walking, jogging and bicycling combined with a resistance-training regimen composed of bodyweight exercises like push ups, pull ups and crunches or weight-training workouts with dumbbells or free weights serve to burn more calories to give you a lean, fit and healthy body.

However, anything that is taken in excess is not also good for you. Like coffee, green tea is also high in caffeine that can cause jitters, anxiety, palpitations and nervousness when taken in excess. Those with preexisting medical conditions like kidney problems, stomach ulcers, heart and anxiety disorders should refrain from drinking green tea. Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding cannot also engage in a green tea diet. If you are unsure if this form of dieting is appropriate for your condition, make sure that you consult with your doctor first.