A few less pounds around the waistline is what many people aim for. Once you have made the decision to work on your body weight, it usually can’t go fast enough. Nowadays, there are purported claims about detox teas helping people achieve their weight loss goals. If you want to go down this route, here’s everything you need to know about detox tea for weight loss.
What are detox teas?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration categorizes detox tea as a dietary supplement. It’s essentially a herbal tea that expells toxins. Most of the time, the reason people drink detox teas is for weight loss as they contain various spices and herbs like senna, green teas, milk thistle, dandelion root, coriander, and fennel seed. These ingredients help induce bowel movements and boost natural detoxification, which ultimately helps induce weight loss.
Do detox teas help with weight loss?
Nowadays, many people use detox tea for weight loss and there has been ongoing research to understand exactly how these teas help us shed pounds. Weight loss can only happen by eating healthy meals, taking part in routine exercise, and reducing intake of processed foods. So, although these teas help induce a bowel movement, there are no scientific studies that prove the potency of detox teas for weight loss.
Most tea products are packaged with specific instructions for diet and exercise. Sometimes, the instructions may recommend eating very little or healthy eating. Some manufacturers selling detox teas prescribe vigorous physical activity. Green tea, for example, contains catechins, which are flavonoids that help protect the body from environmental damage. Research shows catechins also increase the number of fat cells burned while participating in physical activity.
Additionally, many detox teas contain much caffeine and studies show that high levels of caffeine can act as a diuretic. Diuretics prompt the body to discharge water through urine and bowel movements and are most effective for water weight loss. Furthermore, scientific studies indicate detox teas have a laxative effect, in that they help push food through the digestive tract. This gives the stomach a slimmer, flatter look.
Can you drink detox tea every day?
Detox tea is usually safe when consumed in moderation. Continuous use or taking in large quantities isn’t recommended. Besides, drinking detox tea every day may not help you achieve your weight loss goals. In addition, consuming tea that contains too much caffeine results in potential side effects such as irritation, fast heart rate, ringing in the ears, agitation, anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness. So, be sure to consult your doctor before incorporating detox tea into your daily routine.
What are the potential side effects?
Like regular teas, some detox teas contain natural ingredients like tea leaves. However, many others contain other active ingredients (like powerful laxatives) that make you visit the toilet frequently, causing loss of water and dehydration. What’s more, senna and other laxatives (if taken excessively) can cause severe diarrhea. So, it always helps to drink lots of water to make up for the deficiency.
When buying such a tea, it would be best to only buy from reputable retailers that list all the ingredients on the packaging. This way, you avoid ingesting illegal chemicals or ingredients that can cause severe health conditions.
Losing weight is no easy feat and it’s evident that detox teas have become more prevalent in recent years—primarily among people who want to rid their bodies of harmful toxins or lose weight. If you’re on this journey, we advise consulting with your GP before ingesting herbal remedies. Although natural, many herbs can cause unwanted side effects like itchy skin and hives. Some more severe reactions include strokes, heart attacks, seizures, and even death.
