Oolong Tea Is A Proven Fat Fighter

As the detrimental health impacts of obesity become even clearer, more people are searching for ways to gain an edge in the battle of the bulge. With obesity in America an ever-present concern, the fad, gadget and specialty food market is booming. Dropping pounds for the sake of appearances and for the sake of health is a very big trend indeed. Although some items simply do not work, one very basic drink stands out as a powerful weapon to add to an arsenal for fat fighting.

That drink? It’s nothing more than pure, simple and refreshing oolong tea. This beverage has been shown in scientific studies to help increase metabolic rates and fat oxidation. While it alone might not help a person win the battle against fat, it can serve as a smart addition to an overall program to lose weight.

How Prevalent Is Obesity?

Obesity in the United States has long been a matter of concern for health officials. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that obesity has risen dramatically over the last 20 years. Some even call it an epidemic. Obesity cuts across races, religions, sexes and doesn’t even discriminate based on age. In short, it’s a problem that faces many Americans.

The obesity rates in the United States are alarming to health professionals. According to the CDC, in the year 2006 only four states had an obesity rate of less than 20 percent. A total of 22 states had obesity rates of equal to or greater than 25 percent. In West Virginia and Mississippi, the obesity rates topped 30 percent.

Why Is Obesity A Problem?

While it used to be en vogue to be pleasantly plump, the health impacts of obesity make it clear that weight loss is a very smart idea for people who tip the scales a little too much. When extra pounds are packed on, the human body simply cannot keep up. The results can range from minor illnesses to life-threatening diseases.

People who are obese have a greater incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and a host of other medical conditions. When people endeavor to lose weight and succeed, they reduce their chances of contracting major diseases. They can also help themselves bring such things as blood pressure, diabetes and even cholesterol under control.

How Can Oolong Tea Help?

Oolong tea can be a powerful addition to an overall weight loss routine. This very affordable and readily available beverage has shown great promise in helping drinkers metabolize foods faster and oxidize fat more efficiently.

The Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland conducted a study on oolong tea and its impacts on the body. The results are quite good for oolong tea lovers.

The study focused in on 12 different men who were broken up into four different groups. One group drank water, another full-strength tea, the third half-strength tea and the fourth water with a caffeine additive that equaled the full-strength tea amount. The participants were asked to refrain from consuming anything with caffeine or flavonoids for four days before the study began.

The end results of the multi-day study were quite pleasing for tea lovers. Those who were given oolong tea at full strength during the study enjoyed a metabolic rate increase of about 2.9 percent. Fat oxidation also increased by about 12 percent for those who drank full-strength oolong.

The Beltsville study is just one of many that point to the weight loss impacts teas can have on the body. Other studies that support this idea come out of the UK, Japan and elsewhere. How much or how little tea – oolong or otherwise – can help with weight loss does depend on other actions being taken. Tea can assist in the process, but it can’t do it alone.

What Is Oolong Tea?

Taking advantage of the many benefits of oolong tea is easier than many realize. This product is widely available in stores and from specialty shops online. Oolong tea itself is nothing more than a variety of tea that falls somewhere between green and black tea in regard to the processing it undergoes. Just like its black and green counterparts, oolong tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.

What Else Can Help?

While oolong tea can boost a body’s ability to metabolize calories and oxidize fat, it cannot fight obesity and win on its own. To be victorious in the battle, it’s also wise to include a few more things in daily routine. These include:

Healthy foods – Eating a healthy, well balanced diet that isn’t high in fat or calories can help immensely in the fight against fat. Not only will this help many people drop pounds, smart eating can also improve overall health.

Exercise – Getting out an actually exercising is no where near as fun as drinking oolong tea, but it is an important consideration when weight loss is on tap. A smart exercise routine includes a mix of aerobic activity and also weight training. Mixing the two can help increase the body’s own fat-building potential.

In the battle against the bulge, some weapons are simply tastier than others. Oolong tea happens to be one item to put in an arsenal that can taste great and require very little effort to use. While oolong tea isn’t likely to end an obesity problem all on its own, it can provide a good booster for a smart, holistic program to control pounds.

Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about green tea, oolong tea and chai tea go to goldenmoontea.com