There is no single weight-loss method that works for all. For some, exercise works better, and for other dietary restrictions. However, many people want an obesity management method that does not require extreme measures. Thus, they prefer taking pills, supplements, medications, etc.
One safe and straightforward way of weight loss is to consume herbal tea more frequently. Of course, there are many herbal teas, not just regular ones that come from the tea plant or Camellia sinensis. One can use various herbs to prepare tea and infuse tea with different herbs.
What is good about tea is that it does not require much effort to include in daily life. However, it is a highly safe method.
There are many reasons why herbal tea may help fat burning and reduce body weight. One of the most significant reasons is the content of flavonoids called catechins in tea. However, that is not all, as herbal tea is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and many other beneficial compounds.
Even if tea does not help significantly, drinking tea is an enjoyable activity. It is a tasty and pleasurable way to good health.
Here it is vital to understand that no tea would help lose much weight in a short time. Teas for weight loss would only work when used for prolonged intervals, like for several months. Moreover, They are more likely to help you lose weight when combined with other lifestyle interventions like dietary measures and exercise.
How herbal tea helps you burn belly fat and lose weight?
Help reduce visceral fat or central obesity
Green tea, a brown tea, black tea, and oolong tea are all rich in catechins. These flavonoids are pretty good for burning visceral fats. Here it is vital to understand that many people can lose body weight. However, they have a problem flattening their tummy.
Studies show that tummy fat or visceral fat is especially bad for health. It is terrible for liver health and the working of the digestive system. A higher level of visceral fats is also associated with a greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorder.
Thus, drinking herbal tea not only helps in weight loss but also promotes burning fat where it is needed most, like visceral fat.
Boost formation of brown fat cells
It is a new understanding of how fat tissues work in the human body. Researchers now know that there are two fat tissues: white adipose tissues (WAT) and brown adipose tissues (BAT).
WAT and BAT are pretty different from one another. WAT is often called bad fat cells as they are merely fat stores and secrete inflammatory enzymes called adipokines. Thus, a high level of white fat accumulation in the body is associated with a significantly greater risk of metabolic disorders.
On the other hand, BAT is metabolically active and promotes the utilization of fats for energy needs. It appears that one of the lesser-known ways in which herbal teas and various other natural supplements work is by stimulating the production of BAT.
A higher number of BAT means increased resting metabolic rate and high mobilization of fats for energy needs. All this means that regularly drinking a few cups of unsweetened tea or weight loss herbal tea may help lose body weight by promoting BAT production.
Thermogenic effect
Herbal tea is generally thought to have a thermogenic effect. It means increased heat production by the body and a higher metabolic rate. This effect occurs due to the impact of phytocompounds on fat cells and the liver. This ultimately helps people lose weight and increases fat metabolism with minimal effort.
The key element of herbal tea that produces a thermogenic effect is caffeine. Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that promotes lipolysis or the breakdown of fats in the body. It also boosts thermogenesis or heat production by the body.
Caffeine is generally associated with coffee; however, it is also present in tea. However, the concentration of caffeine is much lower in tea as compared to coffee.
Replace mindless snacking
Obese people find it challenging to give up food, and this is because they are generally people used to frequent snacking. For them, consuming less food or eating less frequently is challenging.
Thus, one of the weight loss strategies is to replace high-calorie foods with healthy and low-calorie foods. Tea help reduces the urge to eat frequently and prevent mindless snacking. Thus, it can contribute to weight loss.
Boost metabolism
As already mentioned, herbal teas (green tea, black tea, lemon tea, Chinese tea, and other herbs) help boost metabolism and thus improve basal metabolic rate and lead to fat loss.
Help substitute high-calorie drinks
The weight loss journey does not have to be boring. Else it cannot continue for long. Drinking green tea and other herbal teas instead of regular coke, packed juices, and alcoholic drinks is a much better and healthier option. One can enjoy a cup of tea in many ways, and tea can be infused with herbs, berries, and even spices. It would be correct to say that low sugar or unsweetened teas are excellent low-calorie beverages.
Help overcome bloating & improve gut health
Most herbal tea, including black tea, may help improve gut health and reduce bloating. This may also help improve satiety and boost metabolism, resulting in reduced body weight.
Help reduce stress
Stress is one of the under-realized causes of binge eating and obesity. However, no one can negate the relaxing impact of a cup of tea. In many countries, tea is not just a beverage, it is a part of culture and ceremonies. Enjoying a cup of tea can help reduce the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol and thus considerably reduce the risk of obesity.
Top 10 best teas for weight loss
1. Green tea
There are many kinds of teas one can use for weight loss. Nevertheless, regular green tea is the best and most time-tested way of weight loss among all the options. Moreover, it is safe and sound for many other health conditions.
It hydrates, boosts metabolism, enhances regenerative processes, is rich in antioxidants, and has many well-known bioactive compounds. Green tea extract is an excellent source of polyphenols that may help prevent numerous chronic ailments associated with obesity.
However, researchers think that green tea extract consumption leads to weight loss due to its epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) content. These catechins also have a potent anti-aging effect.
Another compound that has received increasing attention in recent years is L-theanine. Green tea is one of the best sources of this compound and is frequently promoted as a potent nootropic.
Studies show that this amino acid has many other health effects. L-theanine is good for boosting metabolism, weight loss, cardiovascular health, immune system, and much more.
Another way in which green tea may help is due to its excellent effect on brain health. It may improve focus, energy, physical activity, and much more.
Green tea for weight loss is a clinically proven remedy. In addition, studies show that its regular intake may help considerably.
In one of the clinical trials in 115 obese women, green tea could help considerably reduce central obesity. In the study, 12 weeks of green tea consumption and lifestyle interventions helped reduce body weight by more than 5%. Not only that, but green tea consumption also positively impacted the lipid profile.
Lipid metabolism is the process of breaking down fats in the body. And, catechins present in herbal teas promote lipid metabolism. Regular green tea or other herbal tea can help reduce body weight and visceral fats.
Catechins are antioxidants that help scavenge harmful toxins from the body and promote good health. These compounds are also known to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties.
Green tea is rich in catechins, which is why it is often recommended for weight loss. According to a study, the catechins present in green tea promote lipid metabolism and help break down triglycerides.
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is stored in the body. When triglycerides are broken down, they release fatty acids, which are then used for energy by the body. This process helps in weight loss.
According to another study, catechins present in green tea help boost metabolism by 4–5%. And this increase in metabolism can last for up to 24 hours.
Green tea can help you burn more calories even when resting. Thus, it is an excellent addition to your weight loss diet.
Including green tea or other herbal tea in your daily diet can help you lose weight and keep it off. But, remember that weight loss also depends on a healthy diet and exercise. So, make sure to include healthy food and physical activity in your weight loss plan.
Researchers think there are many other ways green tea may help, like reduced appetite due to its impact on ghrelin (hunger hormone) and its ability to reduce levels of adipokines and thus inflammation. Green tea is one of the best teas for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.
2. Rosehip tea
Rosehip is a fruit of the rose, also called rose haw. It grows in specific varieties of rose and is generally orange or red.
Most people do not know that the rose plant produces this pulpy and berry-like fruit as it is found in specific species of rose only. Moreover, most roses grown these days do not produce this kind of fruit. This fruit of rose called rosehip has many health benefits.
Rosehip is good for hair, skin, and blood pressure, relieves stress, and naturally has a fantastic aroma. Thus, it is also suitable for brewing herbal tea. Studies show that rosehip tea can be good for metabolic health. Moreover, studies show that it is also quite effective for weight loss.
In one of the clinical trials, researchers prescribed rosehip to 32 obese women for 12 weeks. There were no other dietary interventions, and they found that rosehip helped reduce body fat even without nutritional measures. Moreover, all users could tolerate it well and did not report any side effects. It seems that rosehip is an aromatic and healthy way of reducing body weight and countering obesity.
3. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus is another commonly grown flowering plant with many health benefits, such as weight loss and fat burning. It appears that there are wide varieties of hibiscus. For example, H. sabdariffa is quite suitable for reducing blood pressure. But the commonly grown plant called H. rosasinensis is also ideal for metabolic health.
Hibiscus tea is not just good for weight loss but also for managing metabolic disorders. Thus, studies show that it may help reduce bad cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels and even exert anti-diabetic action.
Hibiscus teas increase fat oxidation and decrease body fat through different mechanisms. It seems that this herbal tea can be a healthy and refreshing way of losing weight.
Although further research needs to understand how hibiscus helps, it appears to reduce the activity of amylase. Thus, like many anti-obesity drugs, it may suppress the digestion of carbs.
4. Peppermint tea
Peppermint has a wonderful aroma and cooling effect. Therefore, it is among the most commonly used natural extract to improve the aroma and flavor of various foods.
However, most people do not realize that peppermint is a medicinal plant. It is suitable for improving digestion, relieving tension, boosting energy levels, improving sleep, and much more.
Drinking peppermint regularly could be one of the ways of inducing weight loss. It may help due to its effect on mood, metabolism, etc.
5. Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea has excellent hydrating properties, and thus it is pretty good for accelerated rehydration. In addition, studies show that it is abundant in antioxidants, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and many other beneficial compounds.
It is unclear how rooibos tea helps. Nevertheless, it is pretty good for managing various metabolic disorders. Moreover, rooibos tea is quite likely to help due to its rich content of antioxidants or some lesser-known ways.
Rooibos tea promotes fat loss and reduces belly fat. Therefore, it may be good when used alone or in combination with other lifestyle interventions.
6. Herbs-infused teas
Last but not least, it is worth understanding that most commercially available herbal teas combine multiple ingredients. They are often infused with other beneficial herbs like lemon, ginger, lavender, mint, chamomile, jasmine, etc.
It appears that herb-infused teas could be one of the better ways of weight loss. These teas have all the benefits of regular tea along with some of the benefits of other herbs. Such teas are also more pleasant to drink regularly as one can choose the flavor.
7. White tea
White tea is one of the healthiest teas available on the market. It is pretty rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Studies show that white tea may promote weight loss by improving metabolism and fat burning. Moreover, it could also help due to its effect on gut health.
White tea extract is exceptionally rich in catechins. These are polyphenolic compounds that have many health benefits. They function as antioxidants in the body and also help modulate various metabolic processes.
Last but not least, white tea effectively reduces stress levels and improves sleep quality. Both of these effects are beneficial for weight management.
Overall, white tea is one of the best teas for weight loss, and adding it to your healthy diet is recommended. White teas increase fat burning and prevent new fat cells productions.
8. Ginger tea
Ginger is a fragrant and popular spice, and it has many culinary uses as well as medicinal properties.
Studies show that ginger may help with weight loss by improving metabolism and other factors.
Ginger appears to be quite effective at reducing inflammation in the body. Moreover, it is also a thermogenic substance. This means that it helps to increase body temperature and thus burn more calories.
Last but not least, ginger is quite effective at reducing the feeling of hunger. This may help to reduce calorie intake and promote weight loss.
Ginger tea is a great way to add ginger to your healthy diet and it is pretty easy to prepare and has many health benefits.
9. Dandelion tea
Dandelion is a common weed that has many culinary and medicinal uses. This plant's leaves, roots, and flowers are rich in nutrients.
Dandelion tea is quite effective at promoting weight loss, and this is likely due to its diuretic effect. This means that it helps to increase urine output and thus flush out water weight.
Last but not least, dandelion tea is also quite rich in antioxidants. These substances help to protect the body against free radical damage. This, in turn, may lead to improved metabolism and fat burning.
10. Pu-erh tea
Pu-erh tea is a type of Chinese black tea that has many health benefits. It is quite rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Pu-erh tea extract effectively promotes weight loss and prevents weight gain. This is likely due to its thermogenic effect. This means that it helps to increase body temperature and thus burn more calories and shed extra pounds.
Pu-erh tea is also quite effective at reducing the feeling of hunger. This may help to reduce calorie intake and promote weight loss.
It is also quite rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. These substances help to protect the body against free radical damage. This, in turn, may lead to improved metabolism and fat burning.
Final thoughts
Using herbal tea for weight loss is not the most effective way but indeed the safest and most pleasant way for weight loss. One can drink green tea or other herbal teas as often as one like. Thus, those seeking weight loss need to substitute their favorite beverages with herbal teas. Additionally, tea infused with herbs and spices can benefit metabolic health.