Delicious hot drink to sip before exercise to help blast belly fat

28 August 2023 , 11:27

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There is one drink that is meant to aid weight loss (Image: Getty Images)

Experts have revealed the one drink you should be consuming to aid weight loss and belly fat. While a certain amount of fat on the stomach - also known as visceral fat - is necessary to protect and insulate abdominal organs, having too much can put your health at risk. Studies have shown that too much is linked to deadly conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Although consuming fewer calories and increasing the amount you exercise is one way to reduce belly fat, there is one drink that could act as a booster for these weight-loss efforts. In 2018 a study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism looked into the effects of drinking matcha green tea.

The hot beverage, which is traditionally grown, produced and consumed in East Asia, has gained popularity in the UK. For those who have never heard of it before, matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Instead of using leaves or a tea bag to consume it, the powder is mixed with hot water.

Participants in the study drank matcha tea the day before and two hours before doing a 30-minute walk, which was found to help weight loss. The study said: "Matcha green tea drinking can enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation in females." Researchers believed this could be due to certain compounds and stimulants found in the drink. The study continued: "Intake of the catechin epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine has been shown to enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. Matcha green tea powder contains catechins and caffeine and is consumed as a drink."

This isn't the first time that matcha has been lauded for its health benefits. Nathan Honess, a personal trainer at Bio-Synergy, suggested that it might aid in reducing total body fat. Previously speaking to The Mirror, he said: "Instead of your normal cuppa try switching to matcha green tea – a study found that the key nutrient – catechin – helped reduce the visceral fat in its participants, as well as overall body fat. If matcha is not for you, try a cup of green or peppermint tea to aid digestion and your metabolism."

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