Many of us have probably grabbed some belly flab during the height of COVID19, and have decided to do something about it. Aside from getting back in the gym, the natural substances, CLA and green tea extract, working in combination can help you shed pounds faster.

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants called catechin polyphenols that are responsible for many of the health benefits of green tea. One of them in particular, epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG for short, has been found to stimulate the metabolism and accelerate weight loss.

EGCG stimulates the central nervous system and causes fat to be released into the bloodstream for the body to use as fuel. This process of fat being used for energy is called “thermogenesis”. It provides extra energy, sheds excess water, and also helps to burn body fat.

CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is a naturally occurring fatty acid that helps improve fat metabolism and inhibits fat storage. CLA has been shown to help glucose pass into muscle cells more effectively, preventing conversion to fat, and helps fat enter the cell membranes of muscle and connective tissue to speed its metabolism. CLA also interferes with a substance in your body called lipoprotein lipase that is used to store fat in your body. CLA in particular targets fat cells around the waist, butt, hips, and thighs.

The University of Toronto did a study of the positive effects of using CLA and green tea together on weight loss, the results of which were published in the Journal Lipids in Health and Disease (May, 2007). The study showed that the participants that took CLA with green tea extract resulted in consistent decreased total body fat mass, decreased body fat percentage and increased lean body mass.

If weight loss is one of your goals this year, a combination of CLA and green tea extract can help you shed extra fat, particularly around your core.