Tea is the most popular drink after water, and it is widely enjoyed around the world. However, what many people don’t know is that many types of teas do more than warming up your body when it is cold and hydrating your body- they can also aid with weight loss.
Drinking certain types of teas can help with weight loss and also aid in reducing belly fat. Of course, not all teas can help with weight loss as some are more effective than others.
To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of all teas that can help with weight loss. Each of the 5 best teas for weight loss we will discuss in this guide has its magic properties; from delaying your hunger feelings and increasing the rate of burning calories to increase fat burning rate.
Oh, and they will also provide other great benefits, including reducing risks of diabetes and heart diseases.
1. Green Tea
Known for having a wide range of health benefits, green tea can help you shed belly fats thanks to its powerful compounds known as catechins. In Japan and China, people consume green tea after every meal to promote a healthy lifestyle.
There have been many studies published to prove the effectiveness of green tea in helping with weight loss. One study, which was published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, showed that green tea, when consumed consistently, increase metabolism and thus helps with weight loss. (1)
The study was conducted on 63 individuals divided into three groups. The first group was a placebo, the 2nd one consumed two cups a day, and the third group consumed 4 cups of green tea on a daily basis.
After two months, the group consuming 4 cups of green tea a day were found to have reduced weight, especially on the waist area.
The study also showed that drinking green tea increases body ability to burn fat, thereby accelerating weight loss rate. It does this by signaling fat cells in the body to release fat. Your liver converts this fat into energy.
How does green help with weight loss?
Green tea, which is obtained from apical leaves of Camellia Sinensis, has powerful compounds known as catechins, specifically called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as well as caffeine. Both EGCG and caffeine have weight loss properties. (2)
EGCG, which is an antioxidant, prevents the formation of free radicals in the body, thereby reducing inflammation, which is mostly attributed to the enlarged belly area. Besides, it helps to increase metabolism.
Best way to prepare green tea
- Heat a cup of water and do not let it boil
- Pour your heated water in a teapot and add a teaspoon or two of green tea, depending on the intensity you want to achieve
- Allow it to steep for 3-4 minutes when covered
- Strain into a mug and add lemon into it
The Right Time to Consume green tea
The best time to consume green tea is in the morning and between meals. Try not to take green tea at night because of caffeine. Also, do not consume more than 5 cups of green tea in a day. Hyperactive people and those who get anxiety issues after consuming caffeine should avoid it.
There are different varieties of green teas you can choose from, and most of them will offer weight loss benefits you are looking for. Therefore, choose the flavor that best suits you.
Related Article: Japanese Green Tea vs Chinese Green Tea (8 Differences)
2. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has many health benefits, with the greatest benefit being aiding sleep. This makes it a great nighttime drink. Besides helping you sleep better, chamomile tea has properties that aids in weight loss. This may sound like an exaggeration, but studies have proven that indeed, chamomile tea can help you lose weight.
While chamomile cannot be considered an all-in-one weight loss solution, when combined with a regular workout routine and a healthy diet, it can help deliver faster results.
How chamomile tea does help with weight loss
- By fighting stress
When we are under pressure, in most cases, we tend to eat a lot. Stress has a big impact on our endocrine system, which regulates body hormones. This means stress can cause an imbalance in hormones, which can lead to lower metabolism. With stress being one of the factors that cause weight gain, it makes sense to say that Chamomile can help you shed off your excess weight as it acts as an antidepressant.
- Helps you get enough sleep
Sleep is important if you want to lose or maintain your weight. By getting enough sleep, you will avoid cravings. Besides, when you sleep, your body produces more serotonin, a hormone that controls appetite (3). If your serotonin levels remain high, you eat less and have fewer cravings, which helps you manage your weight.
- Detoxifies your body
Chamomile is known to have antioxidant properties that help to detoxify your body. This helps it get rid of toxins and waste that may be preventing your body’s digestive system perform optimally.
- Acts a diuretic
This powerful tea can act as a diuretic, which helps your body flush out excess water and fluids. This helps to reduce bloating.
- Promotes the production of gastric juices
Drinking chamomile before mealtime can stimulate the production of gastric juices, which helps with weight loss and improving digestion.
- Helps to curb appetite
This powerful herbal tea can help you feel full for longer, and thus keep your craving at bay. Drink a cup of chamomile tea before meals to make you eat less.
The best way to prepare chamomile tea
- Boil a cup of water and pour it into a teapot with two teaspoons of chamomile flowers or a tea bag
- Cover and allow it to steep for 5 minutes
- Strain into your favorite mug and drink
The right time to consume chamomile tea
You can drink this powerful tea, either hot or cold at any time. However, to enhance its effectiveness, drink it in the morning before taking your breakfast and before your meals. To maximize its benefits, avoid adding sugar, milk, or other sweeteners to it. If you are to add flavor in your cup, squeeze a fresh lemon juice into it.
Related Article: Different Ways in Which Chamomile Tea Benefits Your Health, Skin and Hair
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea, which is prepared from fresh roots of ginger, boosts your metabolism level and thus can help significantly in weight loss.
Ginger tea is a popular remedy for many digestive disorders, including upset tummy and vomiting. However, in recent studies, ginger tea has been found to help with weight loss.
How does ginger tea help with weight loss?
Ginger contains gingerol, an active phenolic compound that helps to reduce weight, insulin, and glucose level, and also improve lipid profile. Gingerol is known to be anti-obesity. (4)
In addition, it acts as an anti-inflammatory, and thus reduce your body inflammation. Inflammation makes one look huge and flabby.
Also, ginger enhances thermogenesis and curbs appetite. Keeping hunger and appetite under control helps you lose weight. And this has been proven by different studies. (5)
The best way to prepare ginger tea
- Heat a cup of water and add a teaspoon of grated ginger to the water
- Allow it to boil for 5 minutes
- To make it flavorful and effective, you can add lemon and honey
- Strain and drink
The right time to consume ginger tea
The best time to consume ginger tea is in the morning with your breakfast. You can also take it in between meals. Make sure not to drink more than three cups of ginger tea in a day.
4. Hibiscus Tea
Made from flowers of the hibiscus plant, hibiscus tea has a tart taste. This herbal tea, which is known to have low calories, may help with weight loss. Keep in mind that drinking this powerful tea alone doesn’t guarantee that you will lose weight- you will need to eat right and exercise regularly.
This herbal tea can help in weight loss in a variety of ways, including preventing fat accumulation, and also in reducing cholesterol levels in the body. Let’s discuss these claims and how they help prevent weight gain in greater depth.
How Does Hibiscus Tea Help In Weight Loss
In one clinical trial carried out in Taiwan, individuals were asked to consume hibiscus tea for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment period, participants were found to have reduced their weight, waist to hip ratio, and body fat. Researchers concluded that hibiscus tea (extracts) can prevent and treat obesity as it prevents weight gain and helps with weight loss. (6)
In another study aimed at evaluating lipid-lowering effect of this tea, 1 gram of hibiscus extract was found to help in weight loss. The study found out that hibiscus tea may prevent fat accumulation, and reduce lipid levels, both of which helps to control weight. (7)
Hibiscus may also interfere with carbohydrate absorption. Carbohydrate supply the body with energy. However, if consumed in excess, the body fails to convert all of them into energy, and thus are stored as body fat. Antioxidants in hibiscus tea help to improve insulin levels and control blood sugar levels. This ensures healthy metabolism of carbohydrates, which prevent weight gain. (8)
The best way to prepare hibiscus tea
- Boil a cup of tea and add a teaspoon of hibiscus tea
- Once the water begins to boil, take it off the fire and pour it into a teapot
- Steep it for 5 minutes then strain it into a cup
The right time to consume hibiscus tea
Consume this herbal tea in the morning with your breakfast and also between meals. You can also drink a cup of mild hibiscus team before heading to bed if you find it hard to sleep. However, avoid taking more than three cups a day.
Related Article: 6 Reasons to Drink Hibiscus Tea
5. Peppermint Tea
If you want to change the flavor of your usual green tea but still want to lose weight, peppermint tea is a great alternative. It is different and refreshing.
This herbal tea is not only low in calories but also helps you improve digestion, suppress appetite, and reduce stress, all of which works in favor of your weight loss goals.
It does this through its strong scent which suppresses appetite, and also through caffeine and catechins, which are known to increase body temperature, thereby improving metabolism.
All these properties make peppermint tea an amazing drink to drink before hitting the gym.
How peppermint tea helps with weight loss
- By suppressing appetite
Peppermint tea has been documented to reduce appetite, thereby suppressing cravings. This is why people chew peppermint pellet or sticks most of the time. A cup of peppermint a day can help you lose weight in a healthy manner.
- Supports digestion
There are many scientific studies that prove peppermint tea can help promote healthy bowel movement and settle the gastrointestinal tract. This tea improves digestion and metabolism (9).
- Burns more calories
To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. And with this tea, you can burn more calories thanks to catechins and caffeine content in it. These chemicals increase body temperature and in turn, speed up metabolism. This property makes peppermint tea effective in weight loss.
From the above points, it is true that peppermint targets the primary causes of weight gains, and thus help to accelerate weight loss. Now, let’s discuss how you can prepare tasty peppermint tea.
The best way to prepare peppermint tea
- Boil a cup of water and add 5-10 leaves of peppermint to your boiling water
- Allow it to boil for 5-7 minutes then strain the tea into a cup
- You can also get this tea in tea bags. Steep the tea bag in hot water for 3 minutes then drink your tea
The right time to consume
You can consume peppermint tea between meals, with your breakfast, or two hours before bedtime. Do not take more than three cups of peppermint tea in a day.
Related Article: 8 Science-backed Mint Tea Health Benefits
Bottom Line
It is true that losing weight is challenging and can be difficult to find enough time to work out. However, you can get the most of your simple, short workout sessions by incorporating the above 5 delicious diet teas into your life.
The above teas may help you shed excess pounds faster, while still keeping you hydrated and enjoying the flavors. Besides, they can help you feel more energized, thereby enabling you to work out more.
Add a few cups of any of the above herbal teas to reap weight-loss benefits.
Related Article: Top 6 Best Post-Workout Teas; #5 Is My Favorite
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3908530/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19597519
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24615565
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408800/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24549255
- https://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/10/27
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf2022379
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798