He walked in with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they needed, the green tea box in his hand like a new gadget. “Doctor,” he asked, almost proudly, “can this help me lose weight?”
I looked up and smiled. I’ve known him for years — a real estate dealer by day, wannabe politician by evening, and full-time foodie all the time. His routine? Beer like water, chicken like oxygen, and mornings that start when the rest of the world’s already on their second chai. He approached the weighing scale as if it held divine secrets, stepping on it as if it owed him a miracle.
122 kgs. The machine groaned. I swear it let out a sigh.
I couldn’t help it — I laughed and said, “This tea is not for you. It’s for souls who are ready to change.”
Right then, his better half marched in, curious. She didn’t waste a moment, standing on the same scale like a warrior ready for battle. 112 kgs. She jumped off as if it had turned into hot coal. “One foot short and ten kgs less,” quipped her husband. She smacked his arm playfully, then turned to me and asked, “Can I also drink this green tea?”
Now, how do you tell someone that green tea can’t outrun deep-fried dreams?
But she didn’t wait for my reply. She launched into a lecture — I didn’t know if she was venting, reflecting, or campaigning for an award-winning monologue. “When we were small, there was nothing to eat. We were poor. Now we’re rich — why should we starve? What’s the use of living if we can’t enjoy eating? Food is joy, doctor. You doctors always say, Don’t eat this, don’t eat that. We are only eating what everyone else eats. Unfortunately, we gain weight faster than others.”
She then moved on to her favourite subject — the weather in Bangalore. “This cold weather ruins the appetite. It confuses the stomach. People gain weight here without trying.”
I waited till the monsoon of thoughts passed. Then gently said, “Don’t drink this. Not yet. A week from now, you’ll return and tell me green tea doesn’t work.”
And I meant it because I’ve seen this story unfold a hundred times before.
There was this foodie journalist — a charming Kannada writer with a fondness for whisky nights and fried bajjis. Daily evening, he sat at his desk, sipping green tea with one hand and munching chips with the other. A month later, he published a scathing column: Green Tea is a Humbug! That article was more oil-soaked than his snacks.
I had another patient who thought green tea was a fat-burning potion. “I drink it after every meal, doctor,” she told me proudly. “After biryani, after samosa, even after gulab jamun!” I didn’t have the heart to say to her that green tea doesn’t work like dishwashing soap.
What is the truth? Green tea is not a miracle. It’s a mild support act. Think of it as the humble harmonium player in a grand orchestra of lifestyle changes.
Yes, green tea contains catechins, such as EGCG, which, on paper, are believed to boost metabolism. Yes, it has antioxidants. Yes, it may slightly help in oxidising fat. However, it won’t work if you’re still waking up at 10 am, snacking at midnight, and eating as if it were your last meal on Earth.
In my practice, I’ve found green tea works best when it’s accompanied by a clear intention — a lifestyle shift. When patients begin sleeping early, eating light dinners, walking 5,000 steps a day, then — and only then — green tea becomes a gentle helper. Not the hero, but a humble sidekick.
I always say: First, stop buying sweets in bulk. Reduce non-veg to twice a week. Wake up by 7 am. Walk before breakfast. These are your foundation stones. Then we’ll talk about green tea.
Many of my patients view green tea as a guilt antidote. Overate? Drink green tea. Skipped walking for a week? Drink more. It’s not a refund policy — it’s just a warm, mildly bitter drink with benefits. Not a confession.
I remember an elderly gentleman from Kanaka Nagar who told me, “Doctor, I’ve been drinking green tea for a year, but my belly is still winning the battle.” I asked, “How’s your food?” He smiled sheepishly. “Same as always — dosa, vada, and sweets after lunch.” That green tea was like a paper umbrella in a thunderstorm.
That said, green tea has its charming quirks. As one journalist humourously noted, it’s a hospitality hack — no milk, no sugar, no expectations. Guests don’t ask for a refill. Unwanted visitors often decline it and leave early. It doesn’t stain clothes. Nobody complains about its taste, because honestly, no one expects it to taste good. It’s the least controversial member of the tea family.
Not all green tea is the same. Cheap ones are loaded with fluoride. Bitter and bad. Always go for high-quality whole leaf. Avoid bags that look like they’ve been through a dust storm.
Timing matters. Have it 30 minutes after meals, not on an empty stomach. It’s not a punishment. You don’t need to force yourself.
I’ve seen people go to the extent of green tea cleanses — drinking six cups a day and avoiding all food. Two weeks later, they return with acidity, palpitations, and fatigue. Green tea is not a detox elixir. It’s not magic. It’s just… tea.
However, if you drink it correctly — one or two cups a day, as part of a healthier lifestyle — it can be beneficial. Slightly. Softly. Gently.
What works is this — consistency. Commitment. Waking up early. Eating when hungry, not when bored. Saying no to a second helping, even if it’s paneer butter masala and walking every evening, rain or shine, drinking water before juice, laughing more, and sleeping better.
Green tea isn’t a magic fix. It’s just a quiet supporter — not the hero, just the friend who shows up if you do.
As the couple walked out, joking about fewer chicken dinners and earlier mornings, I smiled. They weren’t transformed — just a little more mindful. That’s how it often begins.
Before shedding kilos, you have to shed the false hopes.
Real change begins where comfort quietly ends.
Studies on Green Tea and Weight Loss
Green tea’s weight loss potential has been the subject of various studies. A 2009 meta-analysis of 11 clinical trials concluded that the catechins in green tea significantly reduced body weight, especially when combined with exercise. The study found a modest but honest effect, with participants losing an average of 1.3 kg over 12 weeks.
A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea enhances fat oxidation, particularly during exercise. This suggests that while green tea may not directly melt away fat on its own, it may provide a slight boost when combined with physical activity.
However, it’s essential to keep expectations in check. Green tea is not a magic bullet, and its effects are subtle. Therefore, rather than relying solely on green tea for weight loss, focus on developing a comprehensive and balanced lifestyle.
