Certain antioxidant compounds found in green tea could provide some assistance for people looking to lose weight, new research suggests.

Findings published in the Journal of Nutrition reveal that a subclass of flavonoids known as catechins may enhance exercise-induced loss of abdominal fat.

As part of the study, a total of 132 obese adults between the ages of 21 and 65 were divided into two groups: one consumed a beverage containing catechins, while the others were given a control beverage.

The participants drank one serving of their beverage every day for a period of 12 weeks and also participated in 180 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.

At the end of the study, those in the catechin group had lost an average of 4.4 pounds, compared with 2 pounds in the control group. Those drinking the catechin beverage also had lost more belly fat, the researchers said.

Green tea has often been identified as a drink that can provide several health benefits, due to its high antioxidant content. Most recently, research has linked drinking green tea to lower rates of breast cancer in women under 50.