Western cultures are experiencing a rising problem of increased incidence of obesity related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other diseases of affluence.
With the increase in obesity related diseases fat metabolism has been getting greater and greater attention.
Adipose tissue (fat cells) is an endocrine organ that is present throughout our bodies.
Fat plays a very important role as the bodies main energy reserve for periods of excess energy and causes fat to be broken down and used as energy.
Not only does it regulate energy balance, but hormones secreted by adipose cells are extremely important to boosting metabolic processes, insulin sensitivity, and immune response.
We increase our adipose tissue in mainly two ways: 1) an increase in the size of the fat cells, 2) an increase in the amount 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 an adipose cell, and if we can figure out how to increase the rate of adipogenesis, we can decrease fat stored, helping to reduce the risk of obesity related diseases.
There seems to be an on going debate as to whether polyphenols and xanthines can help increase the rate of adipogeniesis, and thus decrease the life of an adipose cell.
With the nature of white tea being one of little processing, it seems to be enriched with the more concentrations of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and also methylxanthines (like caffeine) which are active substances showed to speed fat loss when compared to green and black tea.
Researchers in Germany decided to take a look at how a white tea extract effects adipogenesis, and published their results in Nutrition & Metabolism 2009, 6:20.
What they found was a decrease in triglyceride accumulation (fat storage) without effecting viability.
Adipose is present both as visceral and subcutaneous fat in the human body.
More and more research is being published that indicates tea and its' bioactive components have direct effect on how we metabolize fat presenting unique opportunities to develop treatments for, 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 the white tea extracts were applied directly to the adipose tissue.
Now when we consume tea or other tea extracts our digestive systems break down those compounds thus not being absorbed in the quantities of forms that we ingest it.
So remember if anyone is citing fat burning effects of a tea extract, make sure their studies were of people ingesting it, and not the extract being applied directly to the fat cells.
So drinking green tea, will have tremendous benefits, and is by far one of the better drink choices you can make, as long as your not adding sugar that is.
So do count on drinking tons of white tea and magically losing all your excess fat.
If you are consuming large amounts of processed carbs, and not getting the right proportion of other macronutrients to balance your Life Hormone levels you are unlikely to see any benefit from additional cups of tea.
But, if you want to take back control of your life you need to find a nutrition plan that is designed to balance your hormone levels, and begin a fitness program that has been specifically designed to increase testosterone and growth hormone (the main Life Hormones in Women and Men).
Remember, Aging is Ineveitable, but Looking and Feeling Old is Optional.