Many people have resorted to using teas as a way to lose weight. After all, the caffeine and antioxidants in many teas can help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. If you’re looking to give it a go, then here are five great teas for weight loss that you should try!
Chamomile Flower Tea
We all love a cup of tea to start our day, but did you know that some teas have special properties that help with weight loss? Chamomile flower tea is a brilliant example of a tea that can help you shed those unwanted pounds. The compound chamomile flower extract is used in medicine to dilate and relax both blood vessels and smooth muscles. This extract has been proven to reduce gastric acid secretion, helping to keep your stomach in a relaxed state while also promoting healthy digestion.
The study ‘Anti-Obesity and Antiatherogenic Effect of Chamomile Flower Extract in Rats’ was conducted by Fakhar Zaman, MSc and colleagues from the Department of Pharmacology at Al-Imam University in Yemen. In this study, the researchers tested the effects of chamomile flower extract in vitro and in vivo. They concluded that the ‘extract might be effective in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [a disease] associated with obesity’. This makes sense because obesity is often accompanied by NAFLD.
Grapefruit Tea
It’s well known that grapefruit is a healthy fruit that provides numerous benefits to the human body. The same compounds that give grapefruit its distinctive flavour and vivid colour also contribute to its medicinal properties. The most famous ingredient in grapefruit is Vitamin C. It is an essential nutrient that promotes connective tissue synthesis and regeneration, fights viruses and bacteria, and protects the body’s organs, especially the skin and the heart. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant that protects the body against damage caused by free radicals in the environment – essentially helping to maintain a healthy immune system.
Grapefruit tea is a brilliant way to get your daily dose of vitamin C. The fruit’s aroma and flavour can be replicated by steeping its rind in hot water for a couple of minutes before drinking. A 2015 study from Canada’s McMaster University found that grapefruit’s essential oils, vitamin C, and citric acid may reduce body fat in mice.
Lemon Tea
Lemon tea is another terrific option for those who want to burn a bit of extra fat. Lemons are one of the most popular and versatile fruits in the world. The sour citrus fruit is a perfect source of nutrients and antioxidants and is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antiviral properties. Lemons are also a great source of vitamin C and citric acid, both of which contribute to their medicinal attributes.
Lemon tea is made by steeping lemons in hot water for a couple of minutes before drinking. Its health benefits are touted as one of the reasons why it’s becoming so popular as a weight loss beverage. The fruit’s aroma is incredible and adds a wonderful flavour to the tea. It is now sold in most Western supermarkets and can be purchased online.
Pomegranate Tea
Pomegranates are a type of fruit that grow in clusters around the fruit trees in Iran, Pakistan, and South Africa. This gorgeous ruby red fruit is bursting with nutrients and antioxidants, including citric acid, vitamin C, and tannins. Tannins are compounds that give red wine its colour and taste. Pomegranates are high in antioxidants which act as small fighters in the body, battling and defending against free radicals and other toxins that can damage the body’s cells.
Pomegranate tea is easy to make by steeping pomegranates in hot water for a couple of minutes before drinking. Similar to grapefruit and lemon tea, pomegranate rind has a high content of nutrients and compounds that are beneficial to the human body. Research has also shown that the fruit is a good source of iron, zinc, and magnesium, which are crucial for normal red blood cell function and maintenance.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is another option for those who want to shed a few pounds. The refreshing and cooling properties of peppermint combine with its powerful aroma to create a drink that is both healthy and delicious. Peppermint can be used to treat a variety of ailments, from insomnia to headaches, stomach aches, and more. It is well known for its effects on the digestive system, and it has been used for centuries as a tea or a digestive aid.
Peppermint tea can be made by either steeping the leaves in hot water or by applying hot water directly to them. The choice is up to you, but either method will produce a flavourful and healthy drink that is excellent for digestion and energy levels.
It’s well established that consuming caffeine can help to boost the body’s metabolism and energy levels, making it a favourite among sportspeople and frequent travellers who need to get through hard day of work or play. But what about those of us who don’t consume caffeine? Should we be avoiding this nutrient when trying to lose weight?
While it’s true that caffeine can cause you to store more energy, it doesn’t always have to be about weight loss – sometimes you need that extra boost for a morning workout, right? Many people experience headaches, nervousness, and anxiety when they consume high amounts of caffeine, so you might want to try cutting back a little bit. But for the majority of us, caffeine is a necessary part of our diet if we want to maintain a healthy weight. It even has some wonderful health properties that might – in small amounts – prove extremely useful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We should all be drinking coffee to stay energized and alert, not just to lose weight.