Calories in a Cup of Green Tea
The health benefits of green tea are widely recognized by nutritionists and healthcare providers. As with all beverages, however, it’s important to consider the calories in a cup of green tea when calculating your daily caloric intake.
Calorie Content
Green tea brewed using one teabag contains approximately 2 calories. A typical 8-ounce cup of green tea contains only 4 calories.
The 4-calorie content of green tea is largely dependent on the lack of additives, such as sugar or honey. When sugar or honey is added, the calories increase. One teaspoon of sugar adds 12 calories, while one tablespoon of honey adds 64 calories.
Benefits
Despite only containing 4 calories per cup, green tea can still be beneficial for weight loss. Studies show that green tea increases fat burning and speeds up metabolism. This is due to the antioxidant EGCG, which reduces the release of glucose into the bloodstream, meaning your body has to burn fat stores instead.
In addition to weight loss, green tea has a vast number of other health benefits. It boosts immunity, improves cardiovascular health, and fights cancer.
How to Add Green Tea to Your Diet
For optimal health benefits, it is important to limit the amount of added sugars. Here are a few ways to enjoy green tea without damaging the calorie content:
- Introduce green tea gradually: If you are used to drinking other sugary beverages, start by replacing one sugary beverage a week with unsweetened green tea and slowly reduce the amount of more caloric drinks over time.
- Try a cold brew: To reduce bitterness and add natural sweetness, prepare cold-brew green tea that you can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Adding lime or mint will also enhance the flavor.
- Experiment with flavors: You can easily make green tea more appealing by infusing it with flavors like chamomile, cardamom, rose, lemon, or cinnamon.
Conclusion
At only four calories per cup, drinking green tea is a great way to stay hydrated without eating additional calories. The naturally occurring antioxidants offer numerous health benefits beyond the calorie content. When brewed properly, green tea can help you lose weight, improve your immunity, and give your overall health a boost.
