A scientific review has suggested that green tea, costing as little as 4p per cup, could produce effects similar to weight loss injections. Researchers from Heliopolis University in Cairo published their findings in the journal Toxicology Reports, highlighting natural compounds in the diet that may influence GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite.
GLP-1 inhibitors, commonly known as weight loss jabs, are available on the NHS for eligible patients but can be costly and cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and cramps. The review noted that natural alternatives could increase treatment options and personalise care, potentially bypassing these issues.
However, bariatric surgeon Mir Ali, who was not involved in the study, cautioned that natural ingredients should not be seen as replacements for medication. He told Medical News Today: “Natural ingredients may help boost metabolism. However, it is a mild effect. These [compounds] should not be considered an alternative to the GLP-1 medications.”
Previous research has also linked green tea to weight loss. A study in the Journal of Functional Foods found that catechin-enriched green tea reduced visceral fat, body weight, and body fat over 12 weeks in Chinese adults with high abdominal fat. At the time of reporting, a pack of 20 green tea bags from Tesco cost 80p, equating to 4p per cup.
