How teas could help with weight loss
In unique combinations of herbs and spices, fruits and other ingredients, teas have always been of interest to many nations. In addition to providing a stir in the digestive system, different types of teas can be useful for losing excess weight. Just like water or coffee, tea can be extremely important for some people and enjoy it every season.
It is not necessary to look for any extravagant types of teas for weight loss or the most expensive products in the store. It is important to know only which types of tea for weight loss really work. And to work first of all, we recommend proper exercise and a healthy diet as a holistic approach to health and fitness.
And now let's see how they work and what are the benefits of the most popular teas for weight loss.
Green tea
Green tea can help increase fat oxidation, which means it helps convert fat into energy. Thus, they can be used by the body and at the same time achieve weight loss.
This is because green tea is packed with antioxidants called catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to increase fat burning. Combined with physical activity, the results are even better. [ref. 1]
Here's what the study says:
- A 2008 study found that men who took green tea extract before exercise burned 17% more fat than men who did not take the supplement. [ref. 2]
- Another study found that people who consumed green tea extract for 12 weeks experienced significant reductions in body weight, body fat, and waist circumference compared to the control group. [Ref. 3] This may be because green tea extract is particularly high in catechins naturally occurring antioxidants that can boost metabolism and increase fat burning.
The same effect applies to matcha, a highly concentrated type of green tea powder that contains the same beneficial ingredients as regular green tea. [ref. 4]
Oolong tea(Oolong)
Like green tea, oolong tea is believed to improve the way your body metabolizes fat. A 2009 study on the effects of oolong tea on weight loss found that:
- 70% of severely obese participants who drank 8 grams of oolong tea per day for six weeks lost more than two pounds, and 22% lost more than six pounds.
- 64% of obese subjects and 66% of overweight subjects lost more than two pounds over the course of the six weeks. [ref. 5]
Black tea
Like green and white tea, black tea is also made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which has antioxidant properties. [ref. 6]
And like green tea, the polyphenols present in black tea can help promote weight loss by reducing calorie intake and stimulating fat breakdown.
One 2014 study found that healthy adults who drank three cups of black tea daily for three months lost more weight and experienced a greater reduction in waist circumference than participants who did not drink such tea. [ref. 7]
Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus tea is a type of herbal tea made from the flowering plant hibiscus. It is an herbal tea that does not contain caffeine, so it can be consumed at any time of the day.
One small study of 36 overweight individuals found that participants who took hibiscus extract lost more body fat in 12 weeks than participants who took a placebo. [ref. 8]
More research is needed to determine how effective it is for weight loss, but some studies have shown that hibiscus tea may protect against obesity. This is also a great advantage against the backdrop of an ever-growing obese population globally.
When to drink tea for weight loss
Generally speaking, you can have a cup of good green tea in the morning and later in the evening. To achieve better results, drink a cup or two of green tea before exercising.
Also, avoid drinking green tea at night, as the caffeine content in it stimulates a sense of alertness, making it difficult to fall asleep. However, the same applies to yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea and black tea.
As for drinking tea in the morning, do not consume it on an empty stomach if it is sensitive or you have gastritis, for example. This is important for preventing gastrointestinal problems.
A common practice among many people is to start their day with caffeinated beverages, including tea or coffee. Whether it's tea or coffee, never start your day with caffeine. Caffeine creates an imbalance between the acidic and alkaline levels of the stomach, and this can upset it.
Recipes for healthy tea for weight loss
Green tea with mint and lemon
Ingredients:
- Water: 1 cup
- Mint leaves: 6-7 pcs
- Green tea leaves: 2 tablespoons
- Whole lime: 1
Method of preparation
- Add water and mint leaves to a saucepan and boil water.
- After five minutes, turn off the gas and add green tea leaves.
- Allow to soak for five minutes and remove the leaves later.
- Squeeze the lemon into the tea and pour it into the glass. Drink while it's hot.
Black tea
Ingredients:
- Water: 1 cup
- Black tea leaves: 1 tsp
- Lemon juice: 1/2 tsp
Method of preparation:
- Boil the water with a teaspoon of black tea leaves.
- Brew it for a few minutes and simmer for about 8-10 minutes.
- Strain the black tea into a cup and add lemon juice. Do not add any sugar for optimal utility.