Weight Loss and Oolong (Wu Long) Tea

Oolong tea is a Chinese tea, grown mainly in the higher altitude regions of China and Taiwan. Wu Yi tea, a popular weight loss tea, is actually oolong tea. Wu Yi is the mountainous area in China where that particular tea is grown.

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Is there a connection between weight loss and oolong? Yes, you can you lose weight by drinking Oolong tea? When combined with a reduced calorie intake and some exercise, it can make a difference in how much weight you lose and how fast you lose it.

Relying on tea drinking alone to lose weight may not work. But adding oolong tea into your diet plan will help. I have been drinking oolong tea for the past three years, and it has made a noticeable difference in the amount of weight lost and how fast I lost it. Now, whenever an extra kilo or two creeps back on, I don't panic. Instead I feel confident that within a month, and a sensible eating and exercise plan, those kilos will drop away. So, weight loss and oolong go hand-in-hand.

Two common methods used to reduce weight are:

• Expend more energy - by exercising more and becoming more active overall, i.e. walking up the stairs rather than taking the elevator; or parking the car a block away from your workplace.
• Cut back on fat and carbohydrate intake - by counting calories and making healthy food choices.

Studies in Japan, China and the United States have show that Oolong Tea significantly increases energy expenditure and increased fat burning. In fact, recent studies by researcher Dr. W. Rumpler from Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center found that energy expenditure increased by up to 2.9 pecent (or 281 kj/day) and fat burning was up by 12%.

Oolong tea can be found in any country these days, usually right on your supermarket shelf, alongside other teas. The tea is produced primarily in China and Taiwan, and comes in a variety of packaging. You can buy loose (rolled) tea leaves which should be steeped in a teapot, tea bags containing loose tea leaves or in regular 'tea-bag' style. Kick start your weight loss and oolong.