The 6 Best Teas to Supercharge Your Weight Loss
Drinking tea has long been associated with many health benefits—from cell damage to reducing heart disease, brain health and more —but did you know that sipping on a daily cup of tea can positively impact your weight loss?
After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world and for good reason. In addition to its delicious and soothing qualities, tea boasts many health benefits. Whether you’re drinking it to settle a troublesome stomach, to keep your heart healthy, lower your risk of diabetes or improve your sleep, there’s no denying the numerous advantages that a cup of tea can bring to your day.
Many studies have shown that adding a cup of these powerful teas to your daily diet can help satiate hunger, reduce cravings, decrease body fat and boost weight loss. But not all teas are created equal! Check out the benefits of each tea below and then whip up a daily cup to start experiencing the results for yourself.
Green Tea For Weight Loss: Boost Metabolism + Release Fat Cells
Well known as the metabolism booster, green tea holds powerful fat-busting capabilities and antioxidants while also supplying a multitude of compounds that improve overall health, brain function and that are known to lower your risk of specific cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.
Thanks to its powerful catechin compounds that trigger the release of fat from fat cells (especially in the tummy area), and speeding up your body’s natural ability to burn fat into energy.
According to a recent 12-week study, participants who drank 4-5 cups of green tea per day and combined added 25 minutes of exercise to their daily routine lost on average two pounds more than non-drinking exercisers.
How To: Drink a cup of green tea before or after each meal to boost metabolism. Or start integrating it into your exercise routine by consuming a green tea supplement prior to your gym routine.
Peppermint Tea for Weight Loss: Curb Your Cravings
If cravings are getting in the way of your weight loss goals, then peppermint tea might be your new go-to.
Not only does the cooling effect of menthol help soothe an upset stomach, relieve gas and bloating, but the elixir has also been known to increase blood flow, improve energy and reduce daytime fatigue.
Warning: Those who suffer from GERD should avoid peppermint tea due to its ability to relax your esophagus muscles and prevent stomach acid and bile flow. In this case, peppermint tea may actually increase symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.
Oolong Tea for Weight Loss: Increase Energy
Another traditional Chinese Tea, Oolong is a fruity and fragrant tea has been shown to improve fat burning, speed up metabolism and boost energy.
According to the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, their six-week study found that 70% of participants who drank Oolong tea regularly (4 8-ounce cups) lost 2 at least two pounds, and 22% lost over 6 pounds.
If you have trouble keeping your energy levels up while losing weight, Oolong tea might be your daily drink of choice.
White Tea for Weight Loss: Block Fat
Lightly processed and light in flavor, white tea has been known to improve oral health, kill cancer cells and has a comparable amount of catechin compounds (epigallocatechin gallate, for example) to green tea, which may enhance weight loss.
A review of studies on white tea and weight loss concluded that white tea may help boost metabolism by 4-5%, which results in an additional 70-100 calories per day. A second test-tube study concluded that white tea may also stimulate fat breakdown and prevent new fat cells from forming in the body.
Herbal Tea for Weight Loss
If you want to avoid caffeine —which has been linked to iron issues— herbal tea is a great alternative.
NATUREAL’s Revert Tea, for example, is scientifically-formulated specifically for weight loss. The all-natural, non-laxative and plant-bases weight loss formulation is designed to eliminate water retention, stop unnecessary food cravings, banish bloating, increase metabolism and increase energy.
How to: Steep one (1) sachet tea bag in near-boiling water for 3-5 minutes before meal, 1 hour before workout and/or 1 hour after dinner.
Rooibos Tea for Weight Loss: Kick Hunger To the Curb
Naturally caffeine-free, Rooibos tea is a vibrant South African tea that contains the hunger-blocking chemical compound aspalathin.
Drinking Rooibos tea regularly will leave you feeling fuller longer, and can reduce stress-induced weight gain. Rooibos tea works by reducing stress hormones such as cortisol. If your body is producing excessive amounts of cortisol this can lead to immune system suppression, increased blood sugar and promote overeating, which may lead to obesity.
How to: Since Rooibos is caffeine-free, you can consume a cup of this nutty tea anytime you want—even before bed. To curb craving and decrease cortisol production, drink a cup with every meal, when you’re feeling stressed or when you may be prone to overeat.
If maximizing your health and weight loss goals can be simple as sipping on a delicious cup of tea then why not integrate the calming ritual into your routine today.
Determine the problem areas in your weight loss journey, and then select the appropriate tea for your needs.