Are you currently striving for weight loss? If so, you may have already stumbled upon the highly popular drinks green tea and apple cider vinegar. These two beverages have gained widespread attention in the health and wellness community due to their potential benefits for weight loss. In fact, they are often two of the top contenders in the realm of weight management.
If you want to know the potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar vs green tea for weight loss then this article is perfect for you, keep reading below to know more!
Apple Cider Vinegar For Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been favored to be great for weight loss for many years. It is made by fermenting apple cider with bacteria and yeast, which turns the sugars in the cider into acetic acid. This acid is believed to have several health benefits, including weight loss.
The acetic acid content has been shown to improve metabolism, leading to a higher calorie burn throughout the day1. ACV also contains enzymes that can help break down and digest fats, which may reduce the accumulation of fat in the body2,3.
Studies have also shown that ACV may help to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity4,5. When blood sugar levels are stable, your body is better able to burn body fat for energy, which can lead to weight loss.
Additionally, ACV may help to suppress appetite and reduce cravings6. This can lead to a low calorie intake, which is essential for weight loss.
Health Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers a range of potential health benefits. These include:
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
ACV has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes7.
Improves Digestion
The acetic acid in ACV can help increase the production of stomach acid, which aids in digestion and can help prevent indigestion8,9.
Reduces Inflammation
ACV may have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation throughout your body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases10.
Aids Weight Loss
As explained earlier, ACV can aid in weight loss by reducing stomach fat storage, increasing metabolism, and suppressing appetite.
Boosts Immunity
ACV contains beneficial acids and antioxidants that can help boost the immune system and protect the body from harmful pathogens3.
Lowers Cholesterol
ACV has been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease11,12.
Promotes Heart Health
By improving blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and lowering cholesterol levels, ACV can promote overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease13,14.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar
While apple cider vinegar has many potential health benefits, it can also cause some side effects, especially if taken in large amounts. Here are some potential side effects of ACV:
Dental Erosion
The acetic acid in ACV can erode tooth enamel, leading to dental problems like sensitivity and cavities15,16.
Digestive Issues
ACV can cause digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion, especially when consumed in large amounts16.
Interaction With Medications
ACV can interact with certain medications, including insulin, diuretics, and some heart medications, potentially causing adverse effects17.
Low Potassium Levels
Consuming large amounts of ACV may lead to low levels of potassium in the body, which can cause weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramps18.
Skin Irritation
Direct application of ACV to the skin can cause irritation and burns, especially for people with sensitive skin16.
Green Tea For Weight Loss
Many helpful substances can be found in tea leaves. Caffeine is one of the chemicals found in green tea. Green tea contains significantly less caffeine (24-40 mg) than coffee (100-200 mg) but still produces some alertness.
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that has been shown in multiple studies to promote burn fat burning and increase workout performance. When it comes to antioxidants, though, green tea truly excels. According to studies, drinking green tea raises your blood antioxidant levels.
Catechins are potent antioxidants found in abundance in this drink. The most significant compound is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to increase metabolic rate. Rather than drinking green tea, most research has focused on the benefits of green tea extract, a concentrated form of catechins which may increase your antioxidant levels19,20,21,22.
Health Benefits Of Green Tea
The presence of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds is what gives the benefits of green tea. Here are some of the green tea’s positive health effects:
Contains Healthy Bioactive Compounds
Green tea contains various beneficial components, such as polyphenols and catechins, which have health advantages including lowering inflammation, aiding in cancer prevention, and protecting cells from harm by inhibiting the production of free radicals. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is one of the most potent components and has been investigated for treating various illnesses. Green tea also has trace minerals that are good for the body23,24,25.
Cancer Prevention
Green tea’s polyphenol extracts may protect the skin from UVB radiation if applied topically. According to a 2018 analysis Tea polyphenols may help prevent UVB-induced skin cancer26.
Weight Loss
Green tea’s catechins and caffeine may improve weight maintenance. Studies suggest that the synergistic effects of these compounds are more effective for weight loss than caffeine alone. Green tea and caffeine are suggested tools for weight loss and management due to their potential to increase energy expenditure and improve metabolic targets such as thermogenesis (help your body burn more calories) and fat oxidation (helps your body use stored fat as an energy source)27,28.
Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Green tea’s antioxidants can reduce swelling and pain. Studies show that green tea and EGCG have anti-inflammatory properties, with clinical trials suggesting that tea extract can also have anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically to the skin29,30.
Heart Health
Green tea has been linked to a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, according to a 2006 study with over 40,000 Japanese participants. This claim was supported by a 2016 meta-analysis of nine trials involving over 250,000 people, which found that green tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular and ischemic disorders31,32.
Side Effects Of Green Tea
While there are no major health issues linked to drinking tea as an adult, there may be some negative consequences. These effects can be avoided by drinking only small amounts of green tea. People with green tea allergies should avoid it. Some side effects include:
Stomach Problems
Overconsumption of green tea or drinking it on an empty stomach can lead to stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and even diarrhea due to its caffeine content and tannins that stimulate gastric acid production. It’s best to avoid green tea if you have stomach ulcers or acid reflux and to drink it after high-carb meals to prevent negative effects33.
Headaches
Since green tea includes caffeine, it may trigger headaches in some people. Migraine sufferers can drink green tea on occasion. However, if you experience constant headaches, you should try to refrain from drinking green tea daily.
Sleeping Problems
Green tea contains caffeine and other chemicals that can interfere with sleep, particularly for those who are sensitive to stimulants. Additionally, the L-theanine in green tea can promote calm and focus, potentially keeping some people awake at night. While some studies suggest L-theanine may help with sleep, more research is needed34,35.
Anemia And Iron Deficiency
Green tea’s antioxidants can hinder iron absorption, increasing the risk of anemia in people who have iron deficiency. Adding lemon juice to green tea can counteract this effect since vitamin C helps iron absorption. Drinking green tea an hour before or after a meal can also give the body more time to absorb iron. People with anemia are advised to avoid drinking green tea36,37.
Irregular Heartbeat And Blood Pressure
Green tea has been linked to cardiac arrhythmia, but more research is needed to determine the cause. While tea consumption has been linked to lower blood pressure, studies suggest that green tea may affect some people’s blood pressure and may counteract the effects of blood pressure medication. People with heart problems should consult their doctor before consuming green tea38.
Making The Right Choice: Apple Cider Vinegar vs Green Tea For Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar is acknowledged for its weight loss benefits and green tea is commonly used to aid in weight loss. Choosing either can depend on these two things:
Health goals: They each contribute significantly to one’s health and detoxification processes. Apple cider vinegar has benefits including managing weight, blood pressure, etc. Green tea is the best and healthiest beverage for its antioxidants and fat burning.
Taste preferences: ACV has a great taste that gives a subtle but noticeable flavor boost to anything it comes into contact with. Green tea has a clean, grassy, floral, vegetal, and earthy flavor, which may vary depending on the type of green tea and brewing process used.
Key Points
While apple cider vinegar and green tea may be compared, they do share some common health benefits, particularly:
- Enhances immune system
- Slows aging
- Boosts energy
- Helps in weight loss
- Maintains blood circulation
- For healthy hair and skin
Therefore, it is safe to state that either apple cider vinegar or green tea would be an excellent addition to your diet. However, before making any significant alterations to your food or way of life, you should talk to your doctor.
