The Science Behind Teas That Help With Weight Loss
Imagine being able to enjoy a hot, delicious beverage and at the same time shed those unwanted pounds. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, what if I told you that science suggests certain teas can help you lose weight?
That’s right; teas are not just a comforting beverage, they can also serve as a powerful tool to aid in your weight loss journey, especially when combined with a healthy diet. It’s interesting to note that tea ranks among the world’s top three most consumed beverages, offering a vast array of varieties to choose from.
In this article, we’ll dive into the scientific evidence behind teas that aid in weight loss and explore how you can incorporate them into your daily routine to achieve your health goals.
The Science Behind Teas for Weight Loss
Over the years, tea has been known to have significant health benefits, including its potential to aid in weight loss. This is not to say that drinking tea every day will automatically burn out calories, but several scientific studies suggest that certain teas have weight loss benefits.
Certain teas also have caffeine content, a natural stimulant that can increase the number of calories your body burns even at rest.
For instance, green tea, which is popularly known to support weight loss, contains high amounts of catechins (epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Among these four catechins, EGCG is the most dominant and powerful antioxidant shown to boost metabolism and promote weight loss. A study revealed that drinking green tea daily for 12 weeks significantly reduced body weight and body fat in overweight participants.
Another study revealed that men who took green tea extract before exercising burned fat faster than those who did not take the supplement.
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Although there are so many tea varieties, it is important to note that all teas come from the same source, the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. But each tea has a different processing method resulting in its unique flavors and properties.
While some evidence suggests that tea may aid in weight loss, there are also limitations and uncertainties in the existing research. Most studies examine the impact of tea in pill or tablet form.
This method may give people a higher amount of beneficial plant compounds, such as EGCG, compared to drinking tea from a teabag. While other studies either do not involve human participants or have small sample sizes.
This is to suggest that extensive studies need to be conducted on a larger sample size of human subjects who consume brewed tea. This will enable scientists to better understand how drinking tea can contribute to weight loss.
Types of Teas to Help Weight Loss
Many of these teas to help with weight loss also possess anti-inflammatory properties. These properties also promote other aspects of overall health and wellness.
Tea drinkers often find that a daily cup of tea supports their weight loss goals and provides a comforting and enjoyable experience. This adds to the experience and makes staying committed to their wellness journey easier.
Here are a few excellent tea options to help with your weight loss journey:
Green Tea
Green tea is the most common type of tea, famous for its health benefits, and very effective for weight loss. It’s one reason you see so many people drinking cups of green tea. It is rich in antioxidants and contains catechins, which aid in the increase of metabolism and promote fat burning.
Pu-Erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea often used in Chinese medicine to aid digestion. You can best enjoy it after a meal as it contains polyphenols, helping reduce fat accumulation and improving insulin sensitivity.
One study found that drinking pu-erh tea for three months resulted in significant weight loss. The study also reported improvements in cholesterol levels in overweight individuals.
Black Tea
Black tea undergoes more oxidation than other tea types. This tea is rich in caffeine; the more you consume caffeine, the more energy you have to burn calories. According to a 2014 research, individuals who had at least three cups of powdered black tea daily for three months significantly increased weight loss.
Oolong Tea
Oolong is another traditional partially fermented Chinese tea. Many know this tea to have a fruity aroma and a distinct color. Some experts believe the tea has properties that could enhance weight loss by speeding up metabolism.
White Tea
White tea is a light and delicate tea made from young tea leaves and buds. It is minimally processed and tastes completely different from the other types of tea.
Some studies have revealed the significant health benefits of this tea. These benefits include improving oral health, apart from aiding in weight loss.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is made from a combination of herbs, spices, and fruits mixed in hot water. This is completely different from the other teas because it has no caffeine and doesn’t come from the leaves of Camellia sinensis.
A popular example of herbal tea is rooibos tea. According to another study, this herbal tea increased fat metabolism and helped block the formation of fat cells.
Health Benefits of Tea Consumption
Tea consumption has been associated with a variety of health benefits. Here are some of the potential benefits of drinking tea:
Antioxidant properties: Tea contains antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants may also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
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Improved brain function: The presence of caffeine in tea can help improve focus, alertness, and cognitive function. It also contains theanine, an amino acid that can promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Lower risk of heart disease: Some studies suggest that drinking tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and improving cholesterol levels.
Weight management: Some types of tea, such as green tea, have shown properties that promote weight loss by boosting metabolism and increasing fat burning.
Reduced risk of cancer: Tea consumption may aid in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.
Do not forget that while a tea can offer potential health benefits, you should not rely on it to prevent or treat any health condition. If necessary, a balanced and healthy diet, regular exercise, and medical treatment are essential for maintaining good health.
Risk and Side Effects of Excessive Tea Consumption
Although tea has many supposed health benefits, excessive tea consumption can have adverse health effects. Some of these include:
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
- Tooth decay
- Increased heartbeat
- Unhealthy sleeping patterns
Conclusion
The science behind teas that help with weight loss is still a growing field. But some evidence suggests that certain teas can aid in weight loss efforts.
Green tea, oolong tea, black tea, white tea, and pu-erh tea are among the types of tea that have potential benefits and aid in weight loss. Remember, tea can be a healthy addition to a weight loss plan. Still, you cannot replace it with a balanced and healthy diet and regular exercise in your weight loss journey.
Furthermore, experimenting with different types of tea, brewing methods, and amounts can help you find what works best for your weight loss journey. Remember, what works effectively for one individual may not be as effective for another.
