Best Green Tea Brands For Weight Loss

Things To Consider Before Buying A Green Tea

1. Check for the origin of the product

Always opt for green tea that is sourced from India, China, and Japan as these are major producers and exporters of organic green tea leaves that are of good quality.

Make sure that the product packaging is labeled 'organic', so that you know that you've selected an unadulterated product that is free of chemicals and pesticides.

2. Keep an eye out for the color of the leaves.

Both green and regular black tea come from the same plant, but fresh green tea leaves look green. If they appear brown, they have undergone oxidation or other fermentation processes, decreasing their antioxidants.

If it is not possible to check the color of the leaves before buying the product, buy smaller samples or look for product reviews.

3. Review the product for its antioxidant content.

Green tea is an abundant source of antioxidants, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). However, this amount may vary from brand to brand because of different processing and packaging methods.

Buy a green tea with a good amount of antioxidants to get the maximum benefits from your daily cup.

4. Try to opt for loose leaves instead of teabags.

There is a world of difference between loose tea leaves and those that come in teabags. When you buy loose tea leaves, they are whole and in their most natural form, with all antioxidants, flavor, minerals, and vitamins intact.

The tea leaves packed in teabags are inferior in quality, as they contain only fanning and dust. They might be cheap, but lack flavor and health benefits

Types of green tea available in the market

Green tea is usually categorized based on where it is grown and how it is harvested and processed. While there are a variety of green teas available in the market, and all have the same health benefits, some are a bit more concentrated in certain nutrients and vary in taste.

Here are a few popular varieties of green teas available in the market and their benefits. 

• Sencha: The most common variety of green tea available, Sencha green tea, is picked in the first harvest. The leaves are minimally processed, where they are steamed and rolled into a needle shape.
  
  This helps retain nutrients, which are directly released in hot water during consumption. This tea has high vitamin C content.
  
  
• Tencha: This green tea is harvested 3 weeks before the normal harvest time. These leaves are not rolled like the sencha leaves and are a bit stronger in taste. This tea has a concentrated level of nutrients that benefit our nervous system.
  
  
• Funmatsucha: These leaves are grown under direct sunlight and undergo more photosynthesis. This gives them a bitter taste. But they also contain more antioxidants. These tea leaves are used to cure common colds and headaches due to their higher flavonoid content.
  
  
• Kukicha: This is commonly known as twig tea, as it is made up of the stems and twigs of the plant instead of the leaves. The stems undergo the yellow brew process. This tea is excellent for muscle soreness and tiredness.
  
  
• Matcha: There was a time when every health fanatic knew the benefits of matcha tea. Known as the most beneficial type of green tea, matcha tea leaves are steamed, air-dried, and then ground into fine powder.
  
  This powder is mixed into water with a whisk before consumption. This tea is extremely flavorful and helps in eliminating toxins from the body.
  
  
• Gyokuro: This tea is mild in flavor but contains a high amount of amino acids. It is also big on chlorophyll, which aids tissue growth in the body, and caffeine that makes you alert and active.
  
  
• Bancha: Bancha tea is bitter and mildly fragrant. The blend also contains some parts of the upper stem of the plant along with the leaves, giving a coarse texture to the tea and contributing to its bitterness.
  
  This tea, however, is a favorite among dentists as it contains a high level of fluoride, which helps in tooth decay and keeps bad breath at bay.
  
  
• Fukamushicha: This tea is prepared with a special steaming method, resulting in a darker-colored brew. It is very fragrant and sweet. It is very beneficial to maintain a healthy digestive system and intestines.
  
  
• Konacha: Konacha tea is a mixture of tea buds, leaves, and dust that is collected after processing other green teas. It has a unique flavor and a strong color. It is also the most affordable variety of green tea. Its health benefits range from weight loss to memory boost.
  
  
• Shincha: It is harvested after winter and is sweeter with a unique aroma. This tea is known to have positive effects on mental health, along with many antibacterial and antifungal properties. 

Benefits of green tea

Here are some benefits of this healthy elixir- 

• It helps improve brain function
• The polyphenols present in green tea are effective against fighting cancer.
• It is known to optimize metabolism and help in weight loss
• Catechins in green tea help keep bad breath at bay
• Studies show that green tea improves insulin resistance
• Antioxidants in green tea are known to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.

What is the best time to consume green tea?

Green tea has a lot of health benefits, but incorporating it into your daily diet can be a bit tricky. Although green tea is super beneficial, it may hinder the absorption of certain nutrients in your body.

This, in the long run, may lead to certain deficiencies. That is why health experts suggest consuming this health elixir with sufficient gaps in your meals. 

• Your morning cup of green tea should ideally be two hours after your breakfast. The caffeine and catechins in the tea will ensure that you stay alert and active throughout the day.
  
  
• Your second cup can be two hours post-lunch. This will help you get rid of the afternoon slumber. It will also help you digest your meal.
  
  
• Your third cup may be an hour before your gym/workout session. This will help reduce muscle damage and aid weight loss.
  
  Note:
  
  
• Please make sure your last cup of green tea should not be too close to your nighttime, as the caffeine may make it hard for you to fall asleep. For optimum results, ensure a gap of 4-5 hours between your last cup of green tea and your sleep.
  
  
• Also, never consume green tea on an empty stomach, as the caffeine and catechin content in the tea may harm the liver.
  
  
• It is also ideal to have a cup of green tea at least 45 mins before food. 

I hope you liked our article on Best Green Tea Brands For Weight Loss, if you have any comments or suggestions do share them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which brand of green tea is the best?

Green tea has many health benefits. However, it is important to choose the right brand that knows the intricacies of tea processing and packaging without damaging its nutritional value. Be Bodywise and Kapiva are some of the best brands offering high-quality tea blends.

2. What is the healthiest green tea to buy?

Some common forms of green tea are Sencha, Matcha, Tencha, Gyokuro, Konacha, and Bancha. Sencha is rich in Vitamin C, Matcha detoxifies the body, Sinacha is rich in amino acids building proteins, and Fukamushicha soothes digestive issues.

The type of green tea you should buy depends on your goals, but tea blends with natural extracts are the way to go.

3. What happens if I drink green tea every day?

Daily consumption of green tea has a lot of healthy benefits. Green tea is known to aid digestion, reduce free radicals in the body, curb appetite, and help in weight loss.

If you can limit yourself to less than three cups every day, you will notice improvements in your skin, body, and hair without any noticeable side effects. More than five cups are not advised as green tea contains caffeine, which can disrupt your sleep patterns.

4. Which tea brand is the healthiest?

Bottled teas and blends available in the market currently might contain added sugars. Therefore, you should opt for an organic green tea brand where the leaves undergo minimal processing to keep their nutrients intact. Tea brands like Tea Curry, TeaBox, and Tea Trove offer the purest and healthiest tea blends.

5. Which green tea has the highest EGCG?

Green tea contains EGCG, a plant compound that protects against cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart diseases, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and weight gain. However, the EGCG concentration also depends on the cultivation method and storage conditions.

Gyokuro is an expensive form of green tea with the highest EGCG concentration. However, traditional organic tea leaves from Lipton and Be Bodywise also have high EGCG