Green tea has a long history of being used as a beverage in many Asian countries, especially in China and Japan. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, just like black tea. The only difference is that black tea is made from the fermented leaves of the plant, while green tea is prepared from the unfermented leaves. So, green tea is the minimally or least processed version of tea, and is therefore, considered as one of the healthiest beverages throughout the world. Nowadays, it can be found in the form of pills, so that one can derive the benefits of this tea, without taking the trouble to prepare it. Green Tea Pills and Weight Loss Though green tea has numerous health benefits, its supplements are nowadays taken mainly for losing weight. The presence of certain active ingredients like, catechins, caffeine, and theanine can explain why green tea products can help you lose weight. Caffeine is known widely for its fat burning properties. It can also slow down the action of the enzyme 'amylase', which breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, and thus raises the level of blood sugar following a meal. So, caffeine can slow down the rate at which the level of blood sugar increases after a meal. By increasing metabolism, it can help burn more calories and fats. It can also prevent the further accumulation of fats in the body by reducing the rate of fat absorption. Health Benefits Most of the benefits of green tea extract and pills can be attributed to the presence of some active ingredients like, catechin polyphenols, especially the 'epigallocatechin gallate' (EGCG). Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is known to be a potent antioxidant. Such active ingredients found in green tea can help immensely in improving health and overall wellbeing.

• The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a very strong antioxidant that can neutralize the highly reactive free radicals. This can lower the risk of a number of health conditions and delay skin aging.
• Green tea can lower the level of bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. It can also reduce or prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is one of the most significant risk factors for heart and cardiovascular diseases.
• Antioxidants like polyphenols found in these pills can improve the functions of the liver diseases. These substances can help strengthen the liver and reduce the risk of liver diseases.
• Green tea extract can help raise the good HDL cholesterol in the body. An increase in the level of HDL cholesterol can prove beneficial for heart health.
• It can improve the circulation of blood by preventing the formation of blood clots. Its blood thinning properties can help lower the risk of strokes.
• It can prove beneficial in conditions like diabetes, cold and flu, tooth decay, and bad breath. It may also help lower the risk of certain types of cancer by inhibiting the proliferation of cancerous cells.

How to Take the Pills? It is of utmost importance to follow the manufacturer's instructions while taking these pills. One should never exceed the recommended dosage, as this can result in certain side effects. Such side effects can include, gastrointestinal problems, restlessness, sleeping problems, frequent urination, etc. As these pills contain caffeine, these should not be taken in the night or just before going to bed. Ideally, they should be taken at least five to six hours before going to bed. However, be sure to consult your physician regarding how and when to take these pills. The green tea pills need to be taken with food to avoid any adverse effect on the stomach or the digestive system. Another important point to be kept in mind is that many green tea products found in the market are not genuine products. Therefore, it is advisable to do some preliminary research, and purchase only the original product from the reputed manufacturer. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.