To put it simply, the best Japanese Green tea for weight loss should contain more Catechins or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) than other green teas. Primarily, all green teas have been proven to have a significant positive effect on weight loss because of the catechins or EGCG presence (Hursel et al. 2009).
However, The concentration of catechins or EGCG extracted from matcha is 137 times greater than what you would find in other green teas (Anderton et al. 2003)-It all boils down to how they are processed.
Again it’s worth noting that The four types of green tea-Matcha, Sencha, Genmaicha-are all made from one plant-the Japanese Camellia sinensis plant. The final products differ depending on how much their leaves have been oxidized after harvest.
Matcha
This is one of the best Japanese green tea recommended for weight loss. It contains more antioxidants (137 times more) than most teas which makes it a good choice for weight loss.
It contains more antioxidants (137 times more) than most teas which makes it a good choice for weight loss.
You can use matcha in a variety of ways, for example mixing it with fruits or simply replace coffee with it.
The taste is quite earthy, grassy, but not bitter at all – it’s actually very smooth! This type will usually cost you about $30 for 100g so keep this in mind when looking for an affordable weight loss tea option.
It also helps reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels thus decreasing the chances of weight gain, lower immunity, anxiety, and depression
Matcha drinkers experience an uplifting mood that calms stress and promotes feelings of relaxation—an ideal way to start or end a day! With its endless varieties, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy Matcha at home.
Sencha
Sencha is the second recommended Japanese green tea for weight loss. It’s slightly more affordable than matcha, typically costing around $20 for 100g.
Sencha is also popular for its richness in catechins and antioxidants which help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism.
It has a very sweet taste and the leaves are rolled into smaller pieces which makes it easier to use – perfect for national green tea day!
Sencha has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties found in sencha make it useful for people who suffer from arthritis or other joint pains, as well as those recovering from injuries of the muscles and ligaments.
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is a blend of sencha green tea and roasted rice (genmai). It’s very affordable with most packs costing around $12
It has a light, sweet taste which many people enjoy – perfect for those who prefer lighter flavors or are sensitive to caffeine
This product contains 20% less caffeine than normal green teas so it may be easier on your stomach if you’re prone to getting the jitters from too much coffee. We recommend adding honey for an even more flavorful cup!
Hojicha
Hojicha is a roasted type of green tea. Houjicha is prepared the same as sencha except it’s roasted which is why it’s known in English as roasted green tea! This produces a very different taste from other types of Japanese teas.
There are some downsides to this variety though. Hojicha often doesn’t come in many flavors like Genmaicha so if you want something light or sweet there aren’t as many options.
Hojicha also contains B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium which are all important for your health!
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is processed like sencha except before harvest the leaves are covered for three weeks to preserve the umami flavor.
It also has less caffeine per cup (about 20mg). And because it takes longer to process, you’ll find that gyokuro tastes sweeter with hints of umami flavor as well!
If you’re looking for matcha alternatives for lose weight then try out some high-grade Japanese green teas like Gyokuro. They may be just what you need!
Bottomline
Ultimately, your diet and exercise habits will have the biggest impact on weight loss. But adding in green tea can help you get there faster by boosting metabolism and making it easier to break down fat cells for energy.
If you’re looking for a way to lose weight that doesn’t involve drastic changes or gimmicks, then try incorporating one of these delicious varieties into your daily routine!
You might be surprised at how much better you feel after just a few weeks of drinking these simple beverages—and possibly even see some major results too. Which variety do you prefer?
REFERENCES
- R Hursel et al, ( 2009). The effect of green tea on weight loss and weight maintance: a meta analysis. Retrieved from https://cutt.ly/eQGcQnn
- Anderton et al (2003). Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetik chromatography.Retrieved from https://cutt.ly/fQGc9Me