It’s tea time. Green tea, to be more specific. Oprah swears by it, and so do plenty of other dieters. Although it’s only in the last decade that green tea has been making headlines, green tea has actually been a popular staple in a Chinese medicine for almost 4,000 years. Numerous studies have found that the components in green tea benefit overall wellness, as well as weight loss. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and has the greatest concentration of polyphenols, which happen to be antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize disease causing free radicals that contribute to the aging process and lead to deadly diseases such as cancer and heart disease. In mice, studies have found that green tea burns fat, even more so when combined with exercise. A second study found that green tea also promotes fat burning and reduces cholesterol. And the results aren’t just limited to animal studies. In humans, research indicates that the catechin antioxidants found in green tea reduce body fat and assist in controlling obesity, while additional research suggests that the ingredients in green tea also stimulate thermogenesis and burn fat. When used in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise, green tea is an effective weight-loss aid. On a cold day, green tea is a soothing way to warm up without derailing your diet. So how much is enough when it comes to consuming green tea? Researchers suggest drinking at least 4 cups a day. There are also green tea extract supplements on the market now. And there’s no denying the many health benefits of green tea. At least two cups of green tea daily helps in fighting breast cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer.